Pair of Italian Majolica Portrait Tiles, Renaissance Revival Figures

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Description

A striking pair of hand-painted Italian terracotta tiles, richly decorated in the maiolica (majolica) tradition. Each rectangular tile features a … Read more A striking pair of hand-painted Italian terracotta tiles, richly decorated in the maiolica (majolica) tradition. Each rectangular tile features a bust-length portrait rendered in vivid glaze—one of a bearded man in a turban-like hat, the other of a woman in a headscarf gesturing expressively. The figures are framed by architectural cartouches and scrolling foliate motifs in cobalt blue, ochre, and emerald green against a deep navy ground.
These tiles reflect the influence of Renaissance portraiture, with stylized facial features and traditional Italian costume, evoking the aesthetic of 15th–16th century maiolica from regions such as Deruta or Faenza. The reverse is backed in wood with a wire for hanging, ready to display as wall art.

Dates: Mid-20th century (circa 1950s–1970s), in the style of Renaissance revival Italian ceramics.

JUNE'S THOUGHTS
I’m always drawn to pieces that feel like they have a relationship—and this pair does exactly that. The way the figures face one another gives them a sense of movement and personality that goes beyond decorative. They work beautifully in a layered interior, especially where you want something with a bit of story. See less