Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

A Large Italian Maiolica Charger, 19th Century

About the Item

Maiolica chargers are large, decorative ceramic plates that are part of the broader tradition of Maiolica pottery, a type of tin-glazed earthenware produced in Italy since the Renaissance period. These chargers are not just simple dishes but are considered works of art, often richly decorated with intricate designs, historical scenes, portraits, mythological motifs, or landscapes. The term "charger" refers to their size and function as serving platters or ceremonial plates, rather than everyday dinnerware. The process of creating Maiolica involves coating the earthenware piece with a white tin glaze and then painting it with metal oxide pigments. The magic happens in the kiln: during the firing process, the glaze reacts with the colors, transforming them into vibrant and glossy finishes that are characteristic of Maiolica pottery. This technique not only seals the ware but also provides a perfect, smooth canvas for the painter's designs. Maiolica chargers were particularly popular during the 15th and 16th centuries in Italy, where they were displayed in homes as signs of wealth and good taste, often adorning the walls or sideboards of the Italian nobility and wealthy merchant classes. The imagery painted on these chargers ranged from purely decorative, featuring motifs inspired by nature, to highly sophisticated scenes drawn from classical antiquity, the Bible, or contemporary literature. These narrative scenes were not only beautiful but also served as conversation pieces that reflected the owner's knowledge, values, and interests. Today, Maiolica chargers are highly prized by collectors for their beauty, historical value, and the skill evident in their creation. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural, artistic, and social preoccupations of the Renaissance period in Italy. Collecting or owning such pieces connects individuals to a rich historical tapestry of art and craftsmanship, celebrating an era in which the decorative arts were highly valued and an integral part of societal and cultural expression.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.76 in (7 cm)Diameter: 24.22 in (61.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Renaissance Revival (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    CABA, AR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5634239084782
More From This SellerView All
  • 19th Century Japanese Imari Vase
    By Imari Porcelain
    Located in CABA, AR
    Introducing a remarkable Japanese 19th-century lidded Imari vase, a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the Edo period. This exquisite piece features a stunning dog o...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Porcelain

    Materials

    Porcelain

  • 19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Side Cabinet
    Located in CABA, AR
    This 19th-century Chinese Chinoiserie lacquer side cabinet is a splendid testament to the enduring allure of the Chinoiserie movement that swept through Europe in the 17th century. A...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

    Materials

    Wood, Lacquer

  • Pair of 19th Century French Silver Jars
    Located in CABA, AR
    Introducing a delightful pair of 19th-century French silver water jars, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and elegance of the era. These stu...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century French Sterling Silver

    Materials

    Silver

  • Pair of 19th Century American Mahogany Armchairs
    Located in CABA, AR
    Introducing a stunning pair of 19th-century American mahogany armchairs, evoking the timeless elegance of the William and Mary style. With ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American William and Mary Armchairs

    Materials

    Mahogany

  • Early 19th Century Venetian Gilt Wood Wall Mirror
    Located in CABA, AR
    Indulge in the timeless allure of Venetian craftsmanship with this magnificent antique Venetian mirror. Crafted from gilt wood with a striking baroque influence, it exudes opulence a...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century Baroque Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Mirror, Wood

  • 19th Century Henri Picard Children Gilt Bronze Sculpture
    By Henri Picard
    Located in CABA, AR
    Henri Picard, a master of artistic metalwork during the opulent Second Empire period in France, remains a figure of enduring fascination and admiration in the realms of antique art a...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

You May Also Like
  • Italian Cantagalli Maiolica Large Plate with family noble emblem, Late 19th C.
    By Cantagalli
    Located in CH
    Italian Cantagalli Maiolica Large Plate with family noble emblem, Late 19th Century During the 19th century Renaissance-Revival period the Cantagalli Maiolica and ceramic factory near Florence produced authentic copies of Renaissance Maiolica using traditional methods of tin glazing earthenware. This large Maiolica plate from the late 1800s is marked on the back with the symbol of the Rooster, which indicates that it was created by the Cantagalli ceramics factory. The plate is decorated in the center with the noble emblem of the house of Frederick Stibbert, a well-known late 19th century English/Italian collector of ancient weapons...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Ceramics

    Materials

    Maiolica, Ceramic

  • Large Japanese Imari Charger, 19th Century
    Located in Brighton, Sussex
    A very good quality 19th century Japanese Imari charger, having classical motif decoration to the ground, panels with exotic birds, mountainous scenes and flowers.
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

    Materials

    Porcelain

  • Italian Maiolica La Bella Water Jug, 19th Century
    Located in CH
    Italian Maiolica "La Bella" Istoriato Lustered red water jug, 19th century. Maiolica: The fired, but still unglazed pottery is covered with a white tin gl...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Ceramics

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • Antique Italian Maiolica Classical Painted Vase 19th Century
    Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
    A stunning and rare antique Italian Maiolica pottery triple gourd vase hand-painted with classical stylised figurative and scroll designs in typical ...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Italian Vases

    Materials

    Maiolica, Pottery

  • 19th Century Imari Charger
    Located in High Point, NC
    19th century Imari charger with exquisitely hand painted patterns in lovely colors. There is a central medallion, which depicts what appears to be a jade tree...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • Antique Italian Maiolica Portrait Painted Pottery Vase, 19th Century
    Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
    A stunning and rare antique Italian Maiolica pottery triple gourd vase hand-painted with portraits set amidst classical and scroll designs in typical...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Italian Vases

    Materials

    Maiolica, Pottery

Recently Viewed

View All