Antique Sicilian Ceramic Tile from Caltagirone, 1500s

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Ancient, large, thick Sicilian riggiola tile in Caltagirone majolica, dating back to the 16th century, surrounded by a splendid solid … Read more Ancient, large, thick Sicilian riggiola tile in Caltagirone majolica, dating back to the 16th century, surrounded by a splendid solid oak or durmast wood frame. The frame dates back to the second half of the 19th century, and the beautiful patina covering it confirms our dating. The riggiola is entirely hand-decorated, with a beautiful floral decoration featuring a stylized flower with elongated petals rotating in a spiral. The tile was fired in a wood-fired oven, as was common in the 16th century, before coal or electric ovens. Wood-fired ovens didn't reach very high temperatures, which is why the glaze has some small flaws. Furthermore, sparks from the burning wood sometimes struck the glaze during firing, creating small chips. The patina on the tile is wonderful; note the strong oxidation present in the small gaps in the glaze just mentioned, combined with encrusted dirt, due to the object's 500-year life, which has made the ceramic very dark. 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