Renaissance Revival Centerpieces

Exceptional centerpiece in silvered and gilded bronze, composed of a naiad riding a dolphin, supporting a chiseled shell decorated with reeds, adorned with the head of a river god on its bow and on which a winged love blows in a conch. The whole rests on a pedestal decorated with dolphin heads and cut-out leathers, ending with a porphyry base with molded steps. Historical and artistic context Centers and naves of tables are attested in France from the Middle Ages in order to present spices and other condiments brought from distant lands around the Mediterranean or from the trade of the Silk Roads. The importance of their presence on prestigious tables will be confirmed throughout the decorative arts, evolving during the 19th century in centerpieces, becoming a central element of decoration. Here we find a true virtuosity in the composition and representation of the human figure which is reminiscent of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance. Indeed, the fluidity of the lines of the naiad can be compared to the nymph of Fontainebleau by Benvenuto Cellini preserved at the Louvre museum and dated 1545, while the naturalist representation of the marine setting refers to the work of Wenzel Jamnitzer...

All handcrafted out of alabaster these stylish & decorative tazzas make great centrepieces. This rare pair of early 1900s tazzas comes with overhanging wine branches all around the ...

Elkington & Co. pair of silver-plated chargers of The Seasons English, circa 1870 Height 4cm, diameter 54cm These exquisite decorative silver-plated, or electrotype, chargers we...

This unique Italian hardstone centerpiece is a luxurious example of the Renaissance Revival style. The design is formed primarily from semiprecious s...

This very large and substantial light amber art glass vase is unsigned, but presumed to originate from Italy and dating to approximately 1950 and done in a Renaissance Revival style....

Historism Tazza in Renaissance style made of bronze with putti and griffin decor.

Extremely decorative Italian vase with hand carved fruit, a Renaissance Revival style polychrome fruits and leaves on silvered center vase standing on stepped squared basement measur...

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...