Italian Apothecary Jar Table Lamp with New Dupion Silk Lampshade from Deruta, 1800s

Details

Description

Handcrafted by amitābha studio from a late-19th-century italian albarello labeled “u. Martiat.” with bespoke mustard dupion silk lampshade.

meticulously handcrafted … Read more Handcrafted by amitābha studio from a late-19th-century italian albarello labeled “u. Martiat.” with bespoke mustard dupion silk lampshade.

meticulously handcrafted by amitābha studio from an antique italian renaissance revival albarello (late 19th century, possibly deruta), paired with a bespoke drum lampshade handmade near amsterdam in mustard dupion silk. The tin-glazed earthenware jar is painted with a portrait cartouche reading “u. Martiat.” over “v.p. 1684,” outlined in ochre with cobalt and manganese scrolls.

on 17th-century apothecary jars the leading letter denotes the preparation type; here “u” stands for unguentum (ointment). “u. Martiat.” abbreviates unguentum martiatum—the so-called soldier’s ointment—recorded in early sources and composed of warming aromatics in an oil-and-wax base. The winged-head motif above the label and the two-field ribbon cartouche follow period models popular in late-17th-century delftware. The letters “v.p.” are in the position traditionally used for a commissioning apothecary’s initials, with the date placed below; in this revival example the painted “1684” almost certainly quotes a 17th-century prototype rather than indicating the jar’s actual manufacture.

form and palette point to central italian maiolica—deruta was a major center for pharmacy ware—while the pronounced craquelure and hand suggest a historicist, late-19th-century piece rather than an original 1600s jar. As converted by amitābha studio, the jar remains intact and unrestored to the eye, with expected kiln speckling and small chips to the foot from past use; the silk lampshade is newly made to measure.

for collectors of italian maiolica and pharmaceutical history, this italian majolica albarello lamp is both scholarship and sculpture: it preserves the rare “u. Martiat.” label (a talking-point for any library or den) while the mustard dupion shade casts a warm, flattering light. It sits beautifully on a walnut desk, beside vellum-spined books, or on a stone console in a kitchen where deruta ceramics already feature. An ideal gift for doctors, pharmacists, historians of medicine, or devotees of deruta maiolica and renaissance revival apothecary jars.

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please note: the lamp is fully wired for use in the u.s.

additionally, the listed height includes the lampshade. 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,
european plug (up to 250v).the wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise. See less