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Maiolica Pitcher Antonio Maria Coppellotti Manufacture, Lodi, Circa 1735

About the Item

Majolica pitcher Antonio Maria Coppellotti Manufacture Lodi, circa 1735 Majolica decorated in cobalt blue monochrome It measures 7.36 in hight x 8.07 x 4.52 (h 18.7 cm x 20.5 x 11.5) Weight: 0.859 lb (390 g) State of conservation: intact, apart from a slight chip on the tip of the spout due to use. The maiolica pitcher has a mouth with a long triangular spout and a contoured, slightly flared rim that rises at the back where the handle is attached. The latter is carried high and consists of a flat-sectioned ridge that, from the attachment to the rim, traces a descending 'S' ending with a slight protrusion. The smooth and cylindrical vessel widens at the base to form a slightly lobed, rounded chalice, then it narrows into a stem and expands into a broad, ribbed, slightly flared, contoured foot with a concave base. The surface is covered with a thick white glaze; the artistry of the painting is quick but precise and does not skimp on the use of the precious blue pigment. The decoration covers the entire surface, including the inner rim. On the front it features a flower with wide petals accompanied by a phytomorphic decoration that radiates with dense geometric arabesques, following the principles of the so-called "a lace" decoration inspired by the contemporary French decoration lambrequins et rayonnants or the Rouen style. The decoration interrupts at the cup, which is adorned with oval-shaped lobes, then resumes in the same manner on the foot, as in the Rouen style. This pitcher accompanied the equipment of a complex eighteenth-century table setting and in theory functioned as a vessel for pouring liquids: It was coupled with a tub for washing hands, and was for pouring wine into glasses, not at the table, but rather with each glass poured and offered by dedicated waiters to each diner. The small number of consistent works in terms of morphology, dimensions, and decoration, found in private collections, confirms the attribution of the small pitcher in question to the Lodi manufacture of Antonio Maria Coppellotti in its early phase around 1735-1740. See the two spouts or pitchers presented at the Lodi maiolica exhibition (M. L. Gelmini, in Maioliche lodigiane del '700, cat. mostra di Lodi, Milano 1995, pp. 76-77, nn 39-40) and the pouring spout, previously part of the Robiati collection, exhibited at the Poldi Pezzoli in 1964. (G. Gregorietti, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Maioliche di Lodi, Milano e Pavia, Milan 1964, no. 32). A particularly similar work is preserved in a private collection in Lodi. (F. Ferrari, La ceramica di Lodi, Lodi 2003, p. 94, n. 4). The use of this same mold is also derived from jugs that bear different decorations, such as, for example, the two pitchers with 'fruit' decorations (Gelmini, op. cit., pp. 118-119, nos. 113-114), confirming the success of this form in the Coppellotti manufacture as documented in 1750. Other published examples document the use of different molds in the manufacture, as evidenced by the morphology of other specimens that differ both in size and in the different characteristics of the vessel's shape, foot, or handle applied in a raw state. The execution of the decoration, similar to ours in design, remains different due to the different personalities of the painters themselves. The examined work stands out from comparisons due to an intriguing distinctive characteristic of the form that, during the drying phase from the raw state, underwent a slight and unusual compression on the neck of the foot caused by the weight of the vessel: this 'defect' did not prevent, even in ancient times, the piece from leaving the manufacture, as it was not considered detrimental to the quality of the work. Indeed, this piece has come down to us with all its simple beauty still intact. The first mention of the Coppellotti family as potters comes from archival documents which record the official request of an unknown Giovanni Coppellotti to open a majolica factory in Lodi in 1674. The factory, located near the church of St. John the Baptist. Philip seems to have been immediately quite successful. However, it was only in 1679, when the management of the factory passed to Antonio Giovanni Maria Coppellotti - the son or perhaps grandson of the original Giovanni - that the production reached the peak of success and became an example for the main Italian manufactures of the time, especially those in Veneto and Liguria. In 1728 the factory had to move outside the city walls at the behest of the authorities, who feared the possibility of fires. The activity continued until about 1750, the year of Anton Maria's death and resumed later with his son, Bassano Coppellotti, under the guide of some other directors, among whom we note: first, G. Moroni, followed by Giulio Berinzaghi and in 1771 Pedrinazzi. Finally, in 1787 a new municipal ordinance ordered the definitive closure of the manufactory. The maiolica produced during the initial period are characterized by the use of a thick, velvety enamel and have ornaments ranging from monochrome turquoise with Italian (ruins, castles, flowers) and French motifs ("rabeschi," ramage), to decorations in the manner of Chinese porcelain and oriental inspiration. Of particular importance are ornaments of Baroque fruit which show the amazing relief effects produced by using the red tone called "Armenian bolus." This great variety of decorations appeared between 1735 and 1740 by which time, alongside the production of turquoise monochrome, polychromy with high fire technique was firmly established. Bibliography: 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; A. Novasconi - S. Ferrari - S. Corvi, La ceramica lodigiana, Lodi 1964, ad Indicem; Maioliche di Lodi, Milano e Pavia (cat.), Milan 1964; G. Gregorietti Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Maioliche di Lodi, Milano e Pavia (cat.), Milan 1964, no. 32; M. L. Gelmini, in Maioliche lodigiane del '700 (Lodi exhibition cat.), Milan 1995, pp 76-77, nn. 39-40; R. Ausenda (a cura di), Musei e Gallerie di Milano. Museum of Applied Arts. Le ceramiche. Tomo secondo, Milano 2000, pp. 213-220; F. Ferrari, La ceramica di Lodi, Lodi 2003, p. 94, n.4.
  • Attributed to:
    Antonio Maria Coppellotti (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Width: 8.08 in (20.5 cm)Depth: 4.53 in (11.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Baroque (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1730-1739
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1735
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Intact, apart from a slight chip on the tip of the spout due to use.
  • Seller Location:
    Milano, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4352238828342

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