Italian Maiolica Hunting Scene Wall Plates with Deer and Hare, 1930s, Set of 2

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A charming pair of hand-painted Italian maiolica wall plates, dating to circa the 1930s. Each plate features a lively animal … Read more A charming pair of hand-painted Italian maiolica wall plates, dating to circa the 1930s. Each plate features a lively animal scene: a leaping deer on one and a hare on the other, set against softly painted skies and surrounded by colorful foliage. Their individual subjects make them especially appealing as a pair while allowing each plate to stand on its own. The decoration shows the expressive character of hand painting, with carefully outlined figures, layered colors and a bright, glossy glaze. Cobalt-blue geometric bands frame the central scenes, while the molded, scalloped rims add depth and a distinctive silhouette. Together, these details give the plates the rich, artisanal quality associated with Italian maiolica. Their imagery draws on the long Italian tradition of decorative ceramics, where animals and hunting scenes were recurring subjects. These 1930s plates reinterpret that historic vocabulary in a decorative style of their own: colorful, characterful and made to be displayed. Fitted with wire hangers on the back. Each measures approximately 9.45 in. (24 cm) in diameter and 1.57 in. (4 cm) deep. Combined weight: approximately 3.3 lb (1.5 kg). See less