Pair of Antique Italian Majolica Vases with Mythological Scenes

A pair of antique Italian Majolica vases in Renaissance manner,…
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A pair of antique Italian Majolica vases in Renaissance manner, late 19th / early 20th century, each of baluster shape with a pair of scrolling handles between the shoulder and the everted mouth modelled as twinned serpents with a grotesque mask at the base, each with its original separate low plinth, decorated in sixteenth century 'istoriato' manner with classical mythological scenes to the front and reverse, each 79 cm high, including plinth

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  • Grotesque - Grotesque decoration is any fanciful ornament applied to furniture and decorative arts, and includes distorted faces, mythical animals such as satyrs and sphinxes and less frequently fantastical fruit and flower forms.

    The Martin Brothers who set up their pottery at the end of the nineteenth century in Southall, Middlesex derived their fame from their hand made models of grotesque stoneware birds.
  • Everted - An everted rim is an outwardly turning or flaring outwards rim, as seen the rims on jugs, vases, bowls and dishes.
  • Istoriato - Istoriato decoration is found on Italian Renaissance majolica ceramics. The term "istoriato" means "storytelling" in Italian, and the decoration typically features detailed scenes from history, mythology, or literature, often including multiple figures and elaborate backgrounds. The istoriato decoration technique involves painting the scene onto the surface of the ceramic piece using bright, vivid colors. The technique was developed in the early 16th century in Italy and was particularly popular in the cities of Urbino and Faenza.

    Istoriato ceramics were often produced as commissioned works for wealthy patrons, and were highly valued for their intricate design and narrative content. They were used for a variety of purposes, including serving dishes, decorative plates, and wall hangings.

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