Earthenware Ceramics

A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring a beautifully hand-painted woman, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent onl...

19th century majolica plates by Villeroy & Boch in unusual color combination of olive green and majolica pink with relief design on front. Nice addition to your table or just to disp...

Acquareccia plate Patanazzi workshop Urbino, last quarter of the 16th century It measures diameter 17.12 in; foot diameter 11.53 in; height 1.88 in (43.5 cm; 29.3 cm; 4.8 cm). Weight State of conservation: wear and a few small minimal detachments of enamel, chipping on the raised areas, peeling of enamel at the brim on the back. This large, shallow basin is equipped with a wide and convex well. It is umbonate with a contoured center. The brim, short and flat, is enclosed in a double rounded and barely raised edge. The basin has a flat base without rims; it has a slightly concave center in correspondence to the well. The shape takes inspiration from the basins associated with the metal forged amphora pourers that traditionally adorned the credenza. These were used from the Middle Ages to wash hands during banquets. Two or three people washed their hands in the same basin and it was considered an honor to wash one’s hands with an illustrious person. The decoration is arranged in concentric bands with, in the center of the umbo, an unidentified shield on a blue background: an oval banded in gold with a blue head, a gold star and a field with a burning pitcher. Rings of faux pods separate the center from a series of grotesque motifs of small birds and masks. These go around the basin and are, in fact, faithfully repeated on the brim. The main decoration develops inside the flounce of the basin, which sees alternating symmetrical figures of winged harpies and chimeras. The ornamentation, outlined in orange, green and blue, stands out against the white enamel background. This decorative style, defined since the Renaissance as “grottesche” or “raffaellesche”, refers to the decorations introduced after the discovery of the paintings of the Domus Aurea towards the end of the fifteenth century. The discovery of Nero's palace, buried inside Colle Oppio by damnatio memoriae, occurred by chance when a young Roman, in 1480, fell into a large crack which had opened in the ground on the hill, thus finding himself in a cave with walls covered with painted figures. The great artists present in the papal city, including Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Raffaello, immediately visited these caves. The decorations found there soon became a decorative subject of immense success: the term grotesque , with the meaning of “unusual,” “caricatured,” or “monstrous,” was later commented by Vasari in 1550 as “una spezie di pittura licenziose e ridicole molto”( “a very licentious and ridiculous kind of painting”). The decorations “a grottesche” also widely circulated in ceramic factories, through the use of engravings, variously interpreted according to the creativity of the artists or the requests of the client. Our basin is reflected in similar artifacts produced at the end of the sixteenth century by the factories of the Urbino district. See the series of basins preserved in the main French museums, among which the closest in morphology is that of the Campana collection of the Louvre (Inv. OA1496); this however has a more complex figure decoration, while the decoration of our specimen is sober and with a watercolor style. The style, sure in its execution, approaches decorative results still close to the works produced around the middle of the sixteenth century by the Fontana workshop. The decoration is closely linked to their taste, which later finds its natural outlet, through the work of Antonio, also in the Patanazzi workshop. Studies show the contiguity between the two workshops due to the kinship and collaboration between the masters Orazio Fontana and Antonio Patanazzi, both trained in the workshop of Guido Fontana il Durantino. It is therefore almost natural that their works, often created according to similar typologies and under the aegis of the same commissions, are not always easily distinguishable, so much so that the presence of historiated or “grottesche” works by Orazio is documented and preserved in Antonio Patanazzi's workshop. Given that the studies have always emphasized the collaboration between several hands in the context of the shops, it is known that the most ancient “grottesche” works thus far known, can be dated from 1560, when the Fontana shop created the so-called Servizio Spagnolo (Spanish Service) and how, from that moment on, this ornamentation became one of the most requested by high-ranking clients. We remember the works created for the Granduchi di Toscana, when Flaminio Fontana along with his uncle Orazio supplied ceramics to Florence, and, later, other commissions of considerable importance: those for the service of the Duchi d’Este or for the Messina Farmacia of Roccavaldina, associated with the Patanazzi workshop when, now after 1580, Antonio Patanazzi began to sign his own work. Thus, in our basin, the presence of masks hanging from garlands, a theme of more ancient memory, is associated in the work with more advanced stylistic motifs, such as the hatching of the chimeras and harpies. These are found here on the front with the wings painted in two ornate ways. In addition, the theme of the birds on the edge completes the decoration along the thin brim and can be seen as representing an early style typical of the Urbino district during a period of activity and collaboration between the two workshops. Later, a more “doll-like” decorative choice, typical of the end of the century and the beginning of the seventeenth century, characterized the period of the Patanazzi workshop under the direction of Francesco. Bibliography: Philippe Morel, Il funzionamento simbolico e la critica delle grottesche nella seconda metà del Cinquecento, in: Marcello Fagiolo, (a cura di), Roma e...

Rare late 15th or early 16th century Mudejar tile of the so-called ‘Arista’ or 'cuerda seca' technique. The central motif is an eight-pointed star, which in turn encloses smaller on...

19th Century French blue & white chinoiserie platter Creil et Montereau. Model Pagoda. 12 inches.

Early Arista y cuenca tiles made in Toledo. Tile decorated in renaissance with stylized flowers, probably made between 1550 and 1575. I have four of them available, please reach o...

A Wedgwood Fairyland lustre vase designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones ca. 1920 and decorated with the 'Castle on a Road' pattern. Daisy Makeig-Jones is best known for the Fairyland Lustre...

A dark brown-glazed pearlware bough pot with pierced cover and applied decoration, made by Wedgwood circa 1785. The development of a whiteware body had been a goal of ceramicists ac...

Majolica oyster plate with different flowers on each shells, circa 1900 signed Longchamp.  

Big Majolica vase Ginori Italy, 1850-1890 Very good codiction Difetto di cottura sotto la base (vedere fotografia)

Rare Rouen plate with beautiful blue decoration. France, circa 1750 Good condition.

Vintage hand-painted polychrome Makkum Dutch ceramic tiles by Royal Tichelaar ranging from the 1920s to 1950s. An assortment inspired by designs dating back to the 17th century decor...

A large vintage serving platter featuring the Wild Turkey, His Majesty brown and white transfer-ware pattern by the celebrated English pottery firm, Johnson Brothers. With authentic...

Early Arista y cuenca tile made in Toledo. Tile decorated in renaissance with stylized flowers was probably made between 1550 and 1575.

A wonderfully decorative earthenware jug from the Tonala valley, depicting a ‘Tlaquepaque’ scene with the most beautiful glazed artisanal composition. Graphic vivid colours depicting...

Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges Salins, circa 1890.  

A fine Belgian large figurative swan planter or vase featuring an elegantly modeled swan in white with hand painted accents.

A ruby lustre box with mother-of-pearl lustre interior and decorated with polychrome butterflies in gold, designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones circa 1920. This ...

This Picasso ceramic plate "Tête de chèvre de profil' Ramié 110 is one in a small edition of only 60 and is glazed and painted, with the Empre...

Rare late 15th or early 16th century Mudejar tile of the so-called ‘Arista’ technique with intricate geometric decoration. Good condition; some chipping to the edges, some wear to ...

Small Majolica Leaves Oval Handled Platter Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. 9.7 by 5.4 inches.

French Faience oyster signed plate Saint Clement, circa 1890. Rustic, Country style.

These are NINE Delft ceramic wall tiles, all with different blue and white hand painted patterns, made in the Netherlands, from the 19th Century to the 17th Century, but mainly 18th Century. Each tile is nominally slightly over 5 inches square.. All nine tiles are unique, being individually hand painted with different scenes and patterns featuring various scenes with buildings, trees, watersides, boats and one floral, with most having spider motif corners. They are all enamelled in cobalt blue, using different shades of blue, which varies slightly from tile to tile as expected:- please see the images. Two of the tiles have scenes within double blue circles. NOTES: The central floral pattern tile is slightly thicker and dates to the 17th C Seven Tiles are 18th Century and one is 19th Century ( blue tinged glaze) Overall a beautiful set of individual hand painted antique Delft tiles...

This vintage figural candlestick by Giovanni Desimone Italy is a unique and eye-catching piece of decorative art. DeSimone was a renowned Italian ceramicist and designer who worked in the mid-20th century, known for his whimsical and colorful ceramic sculptures...

Set of midcentury multi color fish Plates and Platters as Wall Decoration A funny collection of twelve european glazed ceramic, porcelain and...

A George Jones Majolica Baluster-Form Pitcher, the body with relief-molded chestnut leaves and blossoms on a deep pink-glazed ground, the handle formed with two branches tied with pi...

A table set for 12 or 18 people, "Marine," signed by Ludovic Napoléon Lepic, was crafted in earthenware by the prestigious Creil and Montereau manufactory in 1889. This unique set fe...

19th Century French Blue & White Pagoda Plate signed Creil et Montereau. 8.7 inches diameter.

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...

French Majolica Lobster ,Shrimp and frog Platter HB Choisy Le Roi Circa 1930. The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important manufacture at the end of 19th century, t...

Highly collectable glazed Majolica plate in greens, yellow and pink. Wonderful ceramic pieces to add to current collection or create new grouping with this fantastic set.

Massive Italian Majolica allegorical charger by A. Deruta Gorgeous continuous Italian Renaissance style decoration Ready to hang.

Pablo Picasso tile 'Little bearded Face' created in 1968 December, 1969 January, red earthenware clay, square sized 17 cm x 17 cm. printed and numbe...

Early Arabe / Mudejar style tile with geometric decoration, made late 15th century.

A fine Wedgwood creamware lidded sauce tureen and stand attributed to Alfred Powell and dating from the early 20th century and probably Art Deco period. ...

Large unusual Austrian Majolica oyster plate, circa 1880.

Pablo Picasso's Visage de Femme, AR 220, created in 1953, is a standout piece in his ceramic oeuvre for several reasons: Innovative Use of Ceramics: Picasso transformed traditio...

A lovely set of 10 Art Nouveau majolica plates, made by Villeroy & Boch. Colorful pattern with water lilies. The plates date from circa 190...

Majolica asparagus platter in two pieces signed longchamp, circa 1890. Measures: two pieces / the platter 13.3" on 9", H / 1.8". cradle / ...

19th Century French Blue & White Pagoda Plate signed Creil et Montereau. 9 inches diameter.

French Majolica grape leaves plate Onnaing, circa 1900.

A large charger plate made of Redware pottery, all hand decorated in the Sgraffito Slip Decorated technique, with a stylized floral pattern. Thi...

Majolica plate two parakeets with oranges Salins, circa 1890.  

19th Century green Majolica tureen with stand signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870 With grapes leaves. Height / 7.5", diameter / 8 inches.  

We are pleased to offer this exceptionally large and rare mid-19th century English mochaware bowl. Each piece of mochaware is unique. Made in England ci...

French Majolica asparagus platter with a bow circa 1890.

French Faience oyster signed plate Saint Clement, circa 1890. Rustic, Country style.

French faience fish head plate signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1940.  

- Handbuilt terracotta ceramic wall light - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by the potter Houda. - co-created by the potte...

Charming Art Nouveau Majolica handled platter with two pink wild roses signed Jerome Massier Fils, circa 1900.

This is a large and very charming dish designed by Ilse Claesson for Rörstrand. This stunning 30 cm diameter dish, features a romantic hand-painted motif typical of the 1920s-1930s countryside, showcasing a cute red color. The centerpiece of the dish depicts a bird surrounded by flowers, all framed by an outer border with painted squares that resemble a bamboo grid. About Ilse Claesson Ilse Claesson (1907–1999) was one of Sweden's most prominent ceramic artists of the 20th century. After studying at the School of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg, she began working at the Rörstrand factory during the 1920s and 1930s. Ilse became well-known for her Art Deco-inspired designs, and her work is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design. She was also known as Ilse Roempke...

Small Majolica white rabbit pate tureen or box circa 1950 signed Caugant.

This antique Historism centerpiece / pedestal bowl is made of polychrom glazed majolica and features four cartouches decorated with high relief knight helmets and dragons. The manufa...

A lovely pot in faience designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg in the 1960s. The decor is painted by Karin Gustavsson who were one of the painters at Gustavsbergs factory. The pot ...

French Majolica grape leaves plate Onnaing, circa 1900.

Early Arista y cuenca tile fragment made in Toledo. Tile decorated in renaissance with stylized flowers was probably made between 1550 and 1575. Losses and wear.

Picasso's Cavalier et Cheval (Ramie A.R. 138) epitomizes the artist’s innovative approach to ceramics, transforming utilitarian forms into extraordinary works of art. Crafted in 1952...

Pair of beautiful earthenware pitchers, France, circa 1800-1850.

Doreen Middelboe for Aluminia/Royal Copenhagen, faience mermaid figure. 1970s. First factory quality. In excellent condition. Marked. Measuring: ...

Large Plalissy ware Majolica Trompe L'oeil Platter by Alfred Renoleau (French 1854-1930), circa 1885. Naturalistically molded and applied with a large fish and eel to the center, a ...