Large Vintage Majolica Hen on Nest Tureen

Details

Description

A striking large-scale majolica hen on nest tureen, hand-painted in rich ochre, cobalt blue, brick red, and black glazes over … Read more A striking large-scale majolica hen on nest tureen, hand-painted in rich ochre, cobalt blue, brick red, and black glazes over a naturalistic feathered body, with a soft pink comb and wattle. The hen sits atop a green "nest" bed with cream-colored eggs peeking out beneath her, all resting on a basket-weave lidded base finished in warm caramel tones.

The hen's body lifts off to reveal a deep, generously sized bowl beneath — making this piece as functional as it is decorative, perfect for serving or using as a striking display piece.

This oversized example is considerably larger than the typical hen-on-nest dishes found on the market, giving it real presence as a statement piece. The unglazed terracotta footring and rich glaze work are consistent with vintage Portuguese majolica pottery, likely produced for export in the mid-to-late 20th century in the naturalistic "barnyard ware" tradition popularized by potteries near Caldas da Rainha.

A wonderful conversation piece for collectors of majolica, farmhouse decor enthusiasts, or anyone looking to add whimsical vintage charm to their tablescape. See less