Rococo Ceramics

Amazing CASTELLI Plate, Italy 19th Century D: 62cm Large plate in glazed and polychrome majolica earthenware. The basin shows a pastoral scene. The edge is underlined by two orange...

Maiolica sugar bowl Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, Circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). It measures 3.54 x 4.52 x 3.54 in (9 x 11,5 x 9 cm) Weight: 0.394 lb (0.179 kg) State of conservation: small and slight chips on the edges. The small sugar bowl has a swollen and ribbed body resting on a flat base. The cap-shaped lid follows the rib of the container and is topped with a small knob in the shape of a two-colored fruit. The sugar bowl is painted “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) with the characteristic floral motif of bunches and isolated semis. An example which closely corresponds to this one is kept at the Civic Museum in Lodi (G. Gregorietti, Maioliche di Lodi, Milano e Pavia, Catalogo della Mostra, Milano, 1964 n. 137). This decorative style represented a strong point of the Lodi factory, which established itself thanks to the vivid nature of the colors made possible by the introduction of a new technique perfected by Paul Hannong in Strasbourg and later introduced by Antonio Ferretti to Italy. The production process, called “piccolo fuoco” (third fire), allowed the use of a greater number of colors than in the past; in particular, the purple of Cassius, a red made from gold chloride, was introduced. Its use allowed for many more tones and shades, from pink to purple. The Ferretti family started their maiolica manufacturing business in Lodi in 1725. The forefather Simpliciano started the business by purchasing an ancient furnace in 1725 and, indeed, we have evidence of the full activity of the furnaces starting from April of the same year (Novasconi-Ferrari-Corvi, 1964, p. 26 n. 4). Simpliciano started a production of excellence also thanks to the ownership of clay quarries in Stradella, not far from Pavia. The production was so successful that in 1726 a decree of the Turin Chamber came to prohibit the importation of foreign ceramics, especially from Lodi, to protect internal production (G. Lise, La ceramica a Lodi, Lodi 1981, p. 59). In its initial stages, the manufacture produced maolicas painted with the “a gran fuoco” (double fire) technique, often in turquoise monochrome, with ornamentation derived from compositional modules in vogue in Rouen in France. This was also thanks to the collaboration of painters like Giorgio Giacinto Rossetti, who placed his name on the best specimens next to the initials of the factory. In 1748 Simpliciano made his will (Gelmini, 1995, p. 30) appointing his son Giuseppe Antonio (known as Antonio) as universal heir. After 1750, when Simpliciano passed away, Antonio was directly involved in the maiolica factory, increasing its fortunes and achieving a reputation on a European level. Particularly important was the aforementioned introduction in 1760 of the innovative “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) processing, which, expanding the ornamental repertoire with Saxon-inspired floral themes, was able to commercially compete with the German porcelains that had one of its most renowned offerings in the naturalistic Deutsche Blumen. Antonio Ferretti understood and promoted this technique and this decoration, proposing it in a fresher and more corrective version, less linked to botanical tables, both with or without contour lines, as well as in purple or green monochrome. After efforts to introduce more industrial production techniques to the sector succeeded, even the Ferretti manufacture, in the last decade of the eighteenth century, started heading towards decline despite its attempts to adapt production to neoclassical tastes. In 1796 the Napoleonic battle for the conquest of the Lodi bridge over the Adda definitively compromised the furnaces. Production resumed, albeit in a rather stunted manner, until Antonio's death on 29 December 1810. (M. L. Gelmini, pp. 28-30, 38, 43 sgg., 130-136 (for Simpliciano); pp. 31 sgg., 45-47, 142-192 (for Antonio). Bibliography G. Gregorietti, Maioliche di Lodi Milano e Pavia Catalogo della Mostra, Milano, 1964 n. 137; C. Baroni, Storia delle ceramiche nel Lodigiano, in Archivio storico per la città e i comuni del circondario e della diocesi di Lodi, XXXIV (1915), pp. 118, 124, 142; XXXV (1916), pp. 5-8; C. Baroni, La maiolica antica di Lodi, in Archivio storico lombardo, LVIII (1931), pp. 453-455; L. Ciboldi, La maiolica lodigiana, in Archivio storico lodigiano, LXXX (1953), pp. 25 sgg.; S. Levy, Maioliche settecentesche lombarde e venete, Milano 1962, pp. 17 sgg.; A. Novasconi - S. Ferrari - S. Corvi, La ceramica lodigiana, Lodi 1964, ad Indicem; Maioliche di Lodi, Milano e Pavia (catal.), Milano 1964, p. 17; O. Ferrari - G. Scavizzi, Maioliche italiane del Seicento e del Settecento, Milano 1965, pp. 26 sgg.; G. C. Sciolla, Lodi. Museo civico, Bologna 1977, pp. 69-85 passim; G. Lise, La ceramica a Lodi, Lodi 1981; M. Vitali, in Storia dell'arte ceramica...

Maiolica tureen Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). It measures 9.05 x 12.59 x 9.05 in (23 x 32 x 23 cm) ...

A set of 10 vintage Sarreguemines Majolica asparagus serving plates, from the beginning of the 20th century. Each of these fine earthenware plates has two raised, decorated dividers,...

Wonderful Large Tuscan Round Plate (Siena) from the 18th Century decorated with a battle scene. Marked Siena with the date 1527 on the wing. Italian majolica. . Diameter: 45 cm. good...

Maiolica tureen Pasquale Rubati Manufacture Milan, circa 1770 - 1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). It measures 6.69 in x 11,02 x 8.26 (17 x 28 x ...

Pair of maiolica tureens Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). a – 8.66 x 11.02 x 7.48 in (22 x 28 x 19...

A coffee pot and two cups with saucers Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, Circa 1765-1770 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). They measure: coffee pot: 9....

Maiolica puerperal cup Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, Circa 1770 - 1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). It measures: 4.3 x 6.8 x 5.3 in (11 x 17,5 x 13,5 cm) Weight: 0.78 lb (358 g) State of conservation: some closed pass-through fêlures on the cup, barely visible on the outside. Some use chips on the edge of the lid, two of which are more marked. From about the mid-sixteenth century, the puerperal soup tureen or puerperal cup became one of the most popular wedding gifts in central Italy. As an auspicious symbol, it replaced the birth table (“desco da parto”) which, on the occasion of high-ranking marriages, from the thirteenth century, had been painted by famous artists, especially in Tuscany. In France this same tureen is called "écuelle de mariée", as it is given to spouses as a sign of fertility. During the eighteenth century this custom spread even outside Italy to all social levels. Depending on availability and rank, it was made of different materials: precious metals, maiolica, porcelain, glass, pewter, etc. Beginning in the mid-twentieth century, the custom of this symbolic homage gradually disappeared, although famous designers such as Gio Ponti and Giuseppe Gariboldi, even as recently as the 1940s, revisited a model of a small puerperal soup bowl for the Ginori and, also in Italy in 1940, in a national competition for young potters, one of the themes of the test was indeed a modern model of a puerperal cup as an auspicious gift. This particular cup was also called a "service cup" or "puerperal vase" or "stuffed cup" - the windows were sealed with straw to prevent drafts of air for women in labor. In the eighteenth century the line of the puerpera cup was simplified, so much so that it took the form of a small tureen with two handles - the typical broth cup...

The two vases are of large, ovoid form, and feature fluted bodies which are crafted in ceramic with a mottled blue colouring. The vases are mounted with twin gilt bronze scrolling ha...

Assortment of 21 maiolica service elements Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, 1780 circa a. Four large oval dishes or fish dishes 10.43 in x 21.25 in (26.5 c...

Five oval maiolica dishes with pierced edge Manufacture of Pasquale Rubati Milan, 1770-1780 Three small oval dishes 10.23 in x 7.67 in (26 cm x 19.5 cm) Two large oval dishes 10.82 in x 8.85 in (27.5 x 22.5 cm) lb 3.5 (kg 1.8) State of conservation: intact The five dishes of different sizes have an oval shape, a mixtilinear edge and a molded polylobed shape with a surface enriched with a relief weave motif extending to the brim and forming a perforated basket...

Pair of Large Plates Gaetano Battaglia 19th century made of earthenware decorated with mythological scenes Italy (Naples) Diameter 50 cm good cond...

Gaetano BATTAGLIA (Naples-Italy-Active between 1850 and 1885) Large circular earthenware plate in the style of Italian majolica with polychrome historiated decoration on the basin, t...

Assortment of dishes Lombard manufacture 1770 – 1780 Circa Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). Two large dishes: diameter 14.76 in (37.5 cm); weight 4.5...

Large, rare Italian reticulated, hand painted Rococo style floral motif centerpiece by the Nove factory. Designed as an oval reticulated footed basket with masses of hand sculpted fl...

Pair of Large Plates Gaetano Battaglia 19th century made of earthenware decorated with mythological scenes Italy (Naples) Diameter 35 cm good cond...

Large Hispano-Moorish earthenware plate, 18th century Diameter: 41 cm Good condition

Maiolica flower pot “a mezzaluna” decorated with tulip Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, circa 1770. Measures: 4.7 in x 4.7 in x 8.6 in 12 cm x 12...

Assortment of 12 elements with polychrome and gold decoration Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, circa 1770- 1790. Two oval trays 10.62 in x 8.58 in (27 x 21.8 cm) Two dishes with perforated brim diameter 10.43 in (26.5 cm) Eight round dishes 9.37 in (23.8 cm) lb 10.14 (kg 4.6) State of conservation: very good, except for light chips with color drops at the edges, a greater one in a round dish. This rare set of dishes has great decorative impact and confirms the undisputed artistic ability of Pasquale Rubati's productions during the period of his greatest success. It also attests to the taste of the great Milanese commissions of the eighteenth century. Pasquale Rubati, a refined painter, opened his own factory in Milan in 1756, in competition with Felice Clerici...

Majolica flower pot "crescent" decorated in manganese Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, c. 1770 4.92 in x 8.66 in x 5,31 in 12.5 cm x 22 cm X 13.5 cm Weight: 2.29 lb (1039 g) State of conservation: intact with slight chipping due to use in relief parts A rare example of a flower pot "a mezzaluna" produced by the manufactory of the refined painter Pasquale Rubati, who opened a factory in Milan in 1756 to compete with Felice Clerici...

Set of 10 cups & saucers "Duke of Gloucester" pattern, by Mottahedeh, late 20th century. Made for Colonial Williamsburg's special Reserve Collection, copyright 1992. Hand painted & g...

Coffee pot Antonio Maria Coppellotti Manufacture Lodi, Circa 1740 High fire polychrome maiolica It measures: 7.87 in x 6,49 x 5.11 (20 cm x 16,5 x 13); weight 1.23 lb (561 g) ...

Sick cup Pasquale Rubati Manufacture Milan, Circa 1770 - 1780 Maiolica decorated in polychrome “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) It measures: h 2.36 x 7.4 x 7.87 (h 6 x 19 x 20 cm) ...

Maiolica flower pot “a mezzaluna” decorated with trompe l’oeil Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, circa 1770 Measures: each 4.7 in (cm 12) x 5 in (c...

with rococo panel and hand-painted flower spray in the oriental style (c 1880) Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant coloured Emameld flowers details. ...

Coffee assortment with “barbotine” decoration Manufacture of Pasquale Rubati or Felice Clerici Milan, 1770- 1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). ...

Two maiolica flower pots Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, Circa 1770 - 1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) The...

Assortment of bottle and glass coolers in Maiolica. Pasquale Rubati manufacture Milan, circa 1770 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) a - Bottle cooler 5.91 in x 5.91 in diameter (15 x 15 cm ) Weight: 1.86 lb (845 g) b - Bottle cooler 6.89 x 7.87 in diameter (17,5 x 20 cm) Weight: 2.09 lb (948 g) c - Pair of glass-cooler vases 3.94 x 3.94 in diameter (10 x 10 cm) Weight: 1.43 lb (650 g) Good state of conservation: a - some chipping from use on the edge; a - two fêlures covered on the edge; c - one has deep chippings on the edge and the other a subtle fêlure. Two Majolica factories were active in Milan in the 18th century. The first, starting from 1745, was owned by Felice Clerici; the other one by Pasquale Rubati from 1756. Rubati was in competition with Felice, whose worker he had been prior to opening his own workshop. On his death in 1796, the business was continued for a few more years by his son Carlo. Recent studies have recognized Pasquale Rubati's contribution as the creator of "Strasbourg-style" decorations with their particularly joyful depictions. This style had previously been attributed to the Lodi manufacturers. These works here, however, are a clear example of this production. The Majolica containers have different sizes, a cylindrical shape and rest on a low foot ring. The two largest are completed by handles in the shape of a zoomorphic mask with wide open jaws, while the smaller ones have handles applied with an anthropomorphic mask. All the works are characterized by elegant floral decoration. The two twin glass coolers show bunches of flowers centered around a main corolla, a rose or a peony paired...

Maiolica pitcher Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). It measures 8.66 x 8.66 x 4.33 in (22 x 22 x 11 ...

Maiolica flower pot “a mezzaluna” decorated with garlands of flowers Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, circa 1770 Measures: 4.7 in x 5 in x 8.8 in ...

Small oval tray Felice Clerici Manufactory 1745-1780 Milan, Circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome. Dimensions: 10.82 x 8.66 in (27.5 x 22 cm); weight 0.4...

Maiolica flower pot “a mezzaluna” with support feet decorated with little bunches of flowers Pasquale Rubati Factory Milan, circa 1770 5.5 in X ...

Derby was able to produce exceptional work, as this figure of a recument ram attests. Skillfully sculpted, moulded and potted, there is something about the expression produced by the...

A fantastic pair of 18th/19th century French terracotta figures of Pomona and a Girl Carrying Fruit in her Skirt, Signed Clodion. These excep...

Italian Castelli majolica bases, Circa 1800. This pair of bases for large vases are a typical example of the high quality manufacturing of the Caste...