Italian Centerpieces

This early 20th century piece of Italian lustreware was made by the renowned Rubboli family pottery in the Umbrian town of Gualdo Tadino, Italy. Italian lustreware Majolica production traces its origins to the Renaissance. The art was revived in Gualdo Tadino during the last quarter of the 19th century, largely due to the efforts of ceramist Paolo Rubboli. Rubboli established his pottery in the region around 1870, and became known for the high quality of his distinctive cobalt, red and gold Neo-Renaissance lustreware. Rubboli's wife Daria and sons Lorenzo and Alberto continued Paolo's efforts after his death in 1890, and joined the newly formed consortium Societa Ceramica Umbria in 1920. Rubboli pieces dating to the period are marked with a blue underglaze "SCU" in a triangle mark along with a conjoined "PR" monogram in homage to Paolo's work. This large ceramic Neo-Renaissance Rubboli double handled compote is finished in cobalt, red and gold lustre. The piece consists of a round bowl at the top with elongated applied handles at either side, all of which rest upon a pedestal base. The bowl features two bas-relief winged mask heads on the exterior which have been depicted with open mouths sprouting handles in the form of serpent-like forked tongues. The exterior is also painted with pairs of imposing gryphons, each of which flank a large urn. The interior of the bowl is also heavily decorated and bears a fantastical winged lion set at the center of a series of scrolling acanthus leaves and urns, best seen in image 8. The remainder of the piece is finished with foliate and geometric motifs. It is of note that a similar piece was included in the traveling exhibit of important Majolica and lusterware entitled 'The Rubboli Collection - Italian lustre pottery in Gualdo Tadino' held in the Chiesa Monumentale di San Francesco between July 17 – October 3, 2010. The compote is in excellent original condition with no restorations or repairs. There are some glaze skips present on the piece as well as minor chips at the base of the pedestal foot which do not detract from the appearance of the compote and are mentioned for accuracy. The underside of the piece bears the blue underglaze Rubboli family Società Ceramica Umbra mark cited above consisting of the letters “SCU” within a triangle along with the entwined Paolo Rubboli 'PR' monogram, which was used from 1920 to 1931. The 3lb 5oz compote stands...

Late 19th century Italian porcelain centerpiece. Classical design depicting the four seasons.

An exuberant alabaster bowl affixed to a rams head bronze stand with paw feet, standing on a circular base of wrapped sheafs of wheat, Italy, circa 1880.

In the Crespi style, this pumpkin gourd-like vessel from Italy (circa 1970s) is so beautiful and can be used during every season as a tabletop candy holder...

Contemporary modern Murano Art glass sculpture, a decorative centerpiece realized as a colorful Mosaic, each little clear glass square individually positioned by hand is handcrafted ...

Mid-Century Modern handblown sculptural translucent four flecks bowl with silver base.    

Highly decorative modern pair of grand size ceramic stallion heads, made in Italy. Realistic representation with flowing ruffled mane, the black and white colors highlighted by the q...

Of oval shape, with a cupid holding a bow and arrow riding aloft a gilt dolphin forming a lid over a compartment, flanked by ink and sand pots on masked plinths cast with Medusa masks and mounted to a lion's-paw footed oval galleried tray...

Heavy and well crafted, these woven brass baskets with adjustable handles are great for plants, orchids, fruit, etc. Dimensions of smaller basket...

This bowl features a shallow profile and, within, in shallow relief, a spiraling, nesting snake. Signed and numbered (1 of 500).

An exceptional Majolica terra cotta bowl with flower details the perfect centre piece inside or out or decorative accent to any room. The bold design ...

Rare and monumental scale shell shaped Murano glass bowl. Thick handblown glass has a gold cast and interior silver leaf flecking. An extremely large and heavy bowl weighing almost 1...

Beautifully and ornately hand painted and hand blown Venetian art glass compote centerpiece by Salviati of Murano (label in tact)

Very nice and elegant early Murano glass bowl, by Ercole Barovier.

This is a most complete and impressive set of Capo di Monte "surout de table". Comprising a pair of 3 arm candlesticks,the 8-piece footed low flower...

Pair of Italian ceramic two-handled conical centrepiece bowls, circa 1900.

Midcentury silvered metal and brass bowl set on a hammered sculptural metal stand with four legs and brass ball feet. The hammered bowl with sleek lines has two brass handles for ser...

Designed by Tyra Lundgren circa 1930s, this signed pair of whimsical full sized doves was made by Venini in Murano, Italy. The pair are well proportioned, each one unique in design i...

A one of a kind Mediterranean design grand vase in Majolica signed Ceramica Gatti for Cosulich Interiors, the ceramic studio favored by Ettore Sottsass, hand-decorated with the highe...

This is an exceptional and rare centerpiece made by Barovier and Toso, circa 1930s-1940s. What sets this apart is the versatility and adjustability of the arrangement, allowing for many configurations and shapes. Starting with the hand blown oval shaped centre bowl, the opal glass is filled with gold leaf inclusions making it sparkle without being glitzy. The four gold leaf infused arms sit at the base, which is affixed with a threaded finial. The arms can be spread out either at right angles or maintain an oval shape. One can either use all four arms as candlesticks while placing the bobeches atop the candle cups or placing the four bowls which fit into the candle cups. And one can also use two of each, for a versatile arrangement. Please see all the images to view the myriad possibilities. This clean design works well with many decorative styles and the flexibility is inspiring. Bobeches measure 4.25" D x 1.25" H Epergne Bowls...

Italian Neo-classic (19th Cent) "Grand Tour" bronze tazza resting on 4 sphinx figures over a rosso antico marble base.

A set of three spiraling clear-glass obelisks with red flame-like intrusions by Venini. All bearing faint acid-etched stamps that date them to the 1950s. They are 17, 14 1/4, and 14...

Italian modern grand Work of Art by Davide Dona, exclusive organic signed piece in overlaid blown Murano glass, the sides decorated with a white inclusion enhanced by hand-carved hollows, the aquamarine blue layer worked with star-shaped white murrine and textured with the battuto technique...

This is an interesting collection of hand blown ribbed crystal finial-like sculptures made by Venini. Extremely well-matched in clear crystal in a teal shaded green. Each piece is mo...

Finely decorated throughout

An impressive 5 pieces set of signed Cenedese console set or table centerpieces. The workmanship is outstanding and the hand blown white threading is very well matched and internally...

Glass and metal covered dish by Fontana Arte , model 2004,circa 1960"s designed by Max Ingrand.

Three light Silverwood Candlestick

Impressive Mid-Century unusual very heavy Venini handblown centrepiece/vase Hampton location.

Fabulous Barovier three piece dramatic centerpiece set with hand blown double dolphin base supported lemon-yellow center bowl, with applied black trim and gold leaf inclusions. The b...

Murano aubergine centerpiece with rope handles. Hand made Venetian glass. ...

Pair of Italian Carrara marble carved planters/basins. They could be drilled to become sinks. Beautiful carving is intermixed with double handles on all four sides. These unique basins Stand...

A wonderful Lorin Marsh retailed murano clear & gold swirl flecked large art glass centerpiece bowl in the manner of Seguso. Signed 2000, s...