Serafino Volpi Deruta Charger

About the Item

Deruta majolica charger from the workshop of Serafino Volpi hand painted with the wide eyed curly haired head of an 'ignudo' figure wearing headband from Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. On the back it is somewhat illegibly signed by the artist and there is remnants of a paper label, possibly a price tag and wire for wall hanging. See our separate listing for a companion charger. Serafino Volpi was a major force in establishing 20th century Deruta as one of Italy’s most important pottery producing centers, thereby making it famous worldwide. Volpi was a painter, a ceramicst, a businessman and above all, one of the most innovative and daring artist to live in a town filled with some of the brightest and most talented artists Italy had to offer in the first half of the 20th century. In 1916, Volpi’s talent and innovation brought him to the attention of the Maiolica Deruta company, where he was hired as the Technical Director. In 1919 he left the firm to become one of the founders of the Grazia company (which is still in operation today). Then, in 1928, along with Gino Veschini, he created Maiolica Derutese. Volpi’s passion for the ceramics arts, his friendships and collaborations with such master decorators as Amerigo Lunghi and Alpinolo Magnini and Volpi’s own talent launched the new company into immediate international recognition. The company remained in operation until 1970 under the guidance of Volpi’s son and grandchildren. Serafino, ever the innovator and astute entrepreneur, was the first to see an opportunity to open a new market for his wares. His Maiolica Derutese was the first Italian company to introduce Italian arts and crafts to Japan immediately after World War II. His approach was unique and highly successful. He combined Japanese techniques, such as moriage and combined that with American themes such as cowboys and Indians, then very popular in Japan, and melded them together in a style that still remained distinctly Italian in flavor. In the 1950's Volpi left the operation of Maiolica Derutese to his son and then opened a new studio-"S. Volpi". The pieces he produced during this period were distinctly not of traditional Deruta design but rather showed a more adventurous spirit. They were more modern and free flowing in style and Volpi always experimented with new shapes and colors. The company closed after a few short years of production.

Creator:

Volpi (Workshop/Studio)

Dimensions:

Height: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Diameter: 18 in (45.72 cm)

Style:

Renaissance (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Ceramic,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

1950-1959