Neo-Renaissance Ceramic Potiche Vase from Castelli

Details

Description

Item description:
spectacular high-fired glazed majolica vase, entirely hand-decorated with a vaguely quadrangular amphora shape. Each of the four sides … Read more Item description:
spectacular high-fired glazed majolica vase, entirely hand-decorated with a vaguely quadrangular amphora shape. Each of the four sides depicts different rural landscapes, classic of castelli ceramics, with countryside, leafy trees, farmhouses, and figures. Made in the classic colors of castelli manufacturing, with light and very bright colors. The four frescoes are set into the four sides of the vase, with the edges of the vase in relief compared to the landscape. Both the upper part of the landscapes and the base feature depictions of fauns wearing wreaths of flowers and foliage. The lid is also entirely hand-decorated with meticulous decorations and a small circular landscape skillfully created with a brush tip by the decorator. The four panels immediately above the four main sides are entirely decorated with wreaths of leaves and flowers, except for one in which two winged cherubs are depicted on either side of a heraldic shield. The object can be dated between the late 1700s and the early decades of the 19th century, and the wonderful patina that covers it, especially under the base and on the break at the mouth where the ceramic is very dark, confirms our dating. There is no mark under the base. Made in full neo-renaissance style and attributable to the abruzzo manufacturer castelli, specifically to the fuina family operating in castelli from the late 1700s until 1822.

useful information for evaluating the item:
our internet research shows that castelli's factory boasts impressive auction results for vases very similar to ours, which have fetched very high prices. We found a vase, with a missing lid, listed by pandolfini in florence, italy, at €1,200-1,800, at the auction "a collection of majolica pharmacy vases" held on march 7-14, 2024, lot number 64, entitled "vase, castelli, last quarter of the 18th century." then we found another vase with a lid, again with decorations very similar to ours, also listed by pandolfini in florence for €1,500-2,500 at the auction "ceramics. Maioliche e porcellane dal xvi al xix secolo" (majolica and porcelain from the 16th to the 19th century) from june 27 to july 4, 2023, lot number 86, entitled "grande vaso con coperchio, castelli, ultimo quarto secolo xviii" (large vase with lid, castelli, last quarter of the 18th century). Then we found another vase, also missing its lid, valued at €1,000-1,500 by gliubich at auction number 16 entitled "antique furniture, paintings, and objects from prestigious collections," lot number 197, entitled "historic majolica vase, castelli (te), mid-19th century." finally, we found a tile, again with decorations very similar to those on our vase, valued at €2,000-3,000 by cambi in genoa, italy, at the "17th and 18th century majolica" auction on march 15, 2016, lot number 98, entitled "castelli tile, mid-18th century workshop." finally, in our research, we found a pair of vases with lids, also very similar in style to ours but larger, for which €12,000 is being asked on the internet. All this is to give an idea of the value of castelli ceramics and, in particular, vases with decorations similar to ours. Bear in mind that our vase not only has a lid but also features much more complex and finely crafted decorations than most of the vases mentioned, as well as having a much more distinctive shape, with bas-relief parts entirely modeled and crafted by hand. A rare, antique collector's item.
(by entering the details of the items we have indicated into google, especially the title of the auction or sale listing in the same language we have used, the date, the lot number, and the auction house or name of the sales website, you will, in most cases, be able to find and view the items mentioned).

information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
the ceramic art of castelli, in abruzzo, has ancient origins, but became famous in the 16th century. The grue family was the most distinguished among the workshops, becoming a master and model to follow, with carlo antonio grue as its most valuable representative, together with his son aurelio anselmo. Initially, only five colors were used in the decorations, with all their various shades, and no red, which was introduced at the end of the 18th century by gesualdo fuina of loreto aprutino. His son carlo antonio grue adopted the third-fire gold highlights of his father francesco and integrated the landscape background, obtained by studying natural light for chiaroscuro shades. It was the fine craftsmanship of the majolica, the lively decorations, but also the affordability of the products, thanks to innovative production systems, that made castelli one of the most highly regarded centers for artistic ceramics, especially in the 17th century, and it is still in operation today. Many of the oldest majolica works produced by the factory are preserved in various italian museums. The fuina family, to whom our vase can be attributed, has its origins in the field of ceramics, specifically in castelli (te), where they are known as a dynasty of important majolica makers. Gesualdo francesco saverio fuina, considered the last of the great ceramists of castelli, belonged to this family. His workshop, registered in the castelli land registry since 1743, was known for the production of household and decorative items of great artistic importance.


this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less