Neoclassical Ceramics

A circular cream round commemorative plate of President Nixon. Reads Richard M. Nixon 37th President. Gold detail around the edges, with the image of P...

Rare 19th C Spongeware Slop Bucket with Handle

Beautiful fine bone China teacup with gold detail, bold blue, and a hidden red rose inside the cup. This delicate ceramic piece is a lovely piece to ...

Two maiolica pharmacy flasks Milan, Felice Clerici Manufacture, 1770-1780 They each measure 9.44 in (24 cm) in height x 6.10 in (15.5 cm) in diameter l...

Assortment of 4 dishes with braided rim Antonio Ferretti Manufacture Lodi, circa 1770-1780 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). Measures: 14 x 10 in (35.5 x 25.5 cm); 12.2 x 8.39 in (31 x 21.3 cm); 10.4 x 9.65 in (26.5 x 24.5 cm); 10.8 x 9.61 in (27.5 x 24.4 cm). Weight: 4.4 lb (1.998 kg) State of conservation: some chips due to use on the edges and on the parts in relief. The four different dishes have a foot with a low lip from which extends a wide, flat, slanted rim resembling a basket weave. The small handles are painted green: they resemble wickerwork in the two oval dishes and take the form of a sinuous branch in the round ones. The third fire decoration is inspired by the naturalistic floral botanical patterns on the ceramics produced by the Hannong family in Strasbourg. Here the pattern is defined by the rapidity and subtlety of the brushstrokes and the result is particularly tasteful, characterized by compositional intelligence and pictorial expertise. A main corolla, either a wild or garden rose, is set slightly off center in each well. From this extends a thin stem holding a small secondary bud and there are small field florets dotting the composition to lend volume to the delicate bunch of flowers. On the brim, small polychrome flowers add color to the weave, accompanied by lanceolate leaves of a very intense green. There exist few and very rare examples for comparison with this morphology: a round plate - entirely consistent with those in question - has been dated to around 1775 (S. Levy, Maioliche settecentesche lombarde e venete, Milano 1962, tav. 200). Two other dishes with a basket rim, but with parallel striped brim decoration, were exhibited in the 1995 exhibition on Lodi ceramics; the attribution to the Lombard town near Milan is therefore almost exclusively derived from the decoration called "alla rosa contornata" or "alla vecchia Lodi" and constitutes one of the most popular decorations during the eighteenth century. (M. L. Gelmini, in Maioliche lodigiane del '700 (cat. mostra Lodi), Milano 1995, pp. 31 p. 162-163 nn. 181-182). This decorative choice represented a strong point of the Lodi factory, which established itself thanks to the vivid nature of the colors made possible by the introduction of a new technique perfected by Paul Hannong in Strasbourg and which Antonio Ferretti introduced in Italy. This production process, called “piccolo fuoco” (third fire), allowed the use of a greater number of colors than in the past; in particular, the purple of Cassius, a red made from gold chloride, was introduced. Its use allowed for many more tones and shades, from pink to purple. The Ferretti family had started their Maiolica manufacturing business in Lodi in 1725. The forefather Simpliciano had started the business by purchasing an ancient furnace in 1725 and, indeed, we have evidence of the full activity of the furnaces from April of the same year (Novasconi-Ferrari-Corvi, 1964, p. 26 n. 4). Simpliciano had started a production of excellence also thanks to the ownership of clay quarries in Stradella, not far from Pavia. The production was so successful that in 1726 a decree of the Turin Chamber came to prohibit the importation of foreign ceramics, especially from Lodi, to protect internal production (G. Lise, La ceramica a Lodi, Lodi 1981, p. 59). In its initial stages, the manufacture produced maolicas painted with the “a gran fuoco” (double fire) technique, often in turquoise monochrome, with ornamentation derived from compositional modules in vogue in Rouen in France. This was also thanks to the collaboration of painters like Giorgio Giacinto Rossetti, who placed his name on the best specimens next to the initials of the factory. In 1748 Simpliciano made his will (Gelmini, 1995, p. 30) appointing his son Giuseppe Antonio (known as Antonio) as universal heir. After 1750, when Simpliciano passed away, Antonio was directly involved in the Maiolica factory, increasing its fortunes and achieving a reputation on a European level. Particularly important was the aforementioned introduction in 1760 of the innovative “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) processing, which, expanding the ornamental repertoire with Saxon-inspired floral themes, could commercially compete with the German porcelains that had one of its most renowned offerings in the naturalistic Deutsche Blumen. Antonio Ferretti understood and promoted this technique and this decoration, proposing it in a fresher and more corrective version, less linked to botanical tables...

A small ceramic tea or coffee saucer in white with blue trim by Michaud for American Airlines. Dimensions: 5.5" Diameter .75" Tall

A crisp white ceramic gravy boat with Veterans Administration 1930 in blue marked on the front. This piece is by Shenango China and is a well-known make...

Royal Copenhagen relief by Thorvaldsen, 'day', biscuit. Late 1800s. Diameter: 26 cm. In perfect condition. 1st. factory quality.

Royal Copenhagen, biscuit sculpture after Berthel Thorvaldsen. Portrait of Berthel Thorvaldsen. Approx. 1870s. Marked. First factory quality. In excellent condition, burning cra...

J. Bromley for B&G "American Drummer Boy, 1st Maryland, circa 1776". A B&G bisquit figurine. No. 698/750. Measures: Height 38 c...

Pair of small coffee pots. Manufacture of Pasquale Rubati Milan, 1770 Circa Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire). a) height 7.87 x 5.51 x 3.93 in (20 x 14 x ...

Beautiful round figural and floral motif serving dish of Joséphine Bonaparte by famed porcelain maker PM & M Bavaria, Germany. Round in form, the d...

Prattware compote, circa 1860, English. Marked No. 123. Prattware is lead-glazed earthenware produced in English from the 1790s thru much of the 19th century. Creamware body decorate...

A set of 10 ceramic plates by Gotham by Theodore Haviland. Each saucer is in a light cream white hue, and features a thick gold painted band around the center as well as on the inter...

Bing and Grøndahl after Thorvaldsen. Antique biscuit wall plaque. 1870s / 80s. Measures: 17.5 x 11.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 1st f...

Wedgwood, England. Three bowls/dishes and a flowerpot in black, green and blue stoneware with classicist scenes in white. Early 20th century. The flower...

B&G / Bing & Grondahl Bisque figure after Thorvaldsen, circa 1870. In good condition. Stamped: B & G Eneret (indistinct) Measures: 19 x 15.5 cm.

Three beautiful bone china gloss white glazed shells by Wedgwood. The shell designs were part of the "Nautilus Collection" and the pieces were made in England. The half shell measure...

Antique B&G (Bing & Grondahl) Rare biscuit figure. Measures: 20 cm. x 11 cm. 1st. factory quality, in perfect condition. Marked, late 19th century.

Antique large biscuit figure of semi-nude woman in classical style. Measures: 37 x 11 cm. Unstamped. In very good condition.

Large ceramic amphora with handles, made and painted entirely by hand, central Italy production, year 2009. The decoration on the vase is a reproduction of a painting by Francois Bou...

Designed by Gianni Versace for Rosenthal Studio Line, these "Le Voyage De Marco Polo" service platters or charger plates features beautiful and detaile...

The decoration of ceramics in blue tones on a white background was common in Europe as far back as the 17th century (Dutch and English pieces, works in Talavera de la Reina in Spain,...

A delightful cream pail in black basalt, decorated with Poor Maria and Charlotte at the Tomb of Werther. The associated makes it very special indeed.

An exceptionally rare pair of Triton candlesticks, in black basalt with gold lustre. The design is copied from Wedgwood, who took it from Sir Willi...

Globular teapot in black basalt, painted with matt white, red and ice blue. Judging by the shape and general appearance, probably by Spode, in imitation of Wedgwood designs of the pe...

A pair of Rudolfstadt Porcelain vases, very much in the Royal Worcester style, hand painted with floral subjects on a duck-egg background; the neck and foot of the vases decorated with bisque and gilt scrolls the necks enhanced by a gilt Florentine scroll.

An unusual trio of jardinière and cache-pots, in the Sevres style, hand-painted with love scenes after Watteau on one side whilst the other side is decorated with flower panels. Each...