18th Century Italian Savona Pottery Flower Vase

The tin-glazed earthenware known as majolica (or maiolica) was first produced in Italy in the mid-14th century. Beautiful and colorful, it has always been prized as a decoration that never fades or loses its beauty. By the 16th century, majolica painters were imitating famous frescos and oil paintings depicting scenes from classical history, the Bible and mythology. When the Golden House of Nero in Rome was rediscovered, the elaborate, whimsical motifs found on its underground chambers were also used as subject matters. These designs were called grottesche (grotesques).; Over the centuries the demand for majolica has had its ups and downs. By the 17th century it was in decline, and the styles based on Renaissance motifs were replaced by those that were then in fashion. By the 18th century, majolica faced greater competition from French and German faience, Asian and European porcelain, and English creamware. By the 1850s only a handful of Italian majolica workshops were still in existence, but by the end of the 19th century a movement was started to re-establish the ware’s designs and production.; Savona’s tin-glazed earthenware was made in the 17th and 18th centuries at Savona, Liguria, Italy, and at nearby Genoa. It is painted in a highly individual and seemingly artless style. Most 17th-century specimens are decorated in blue on a white ground; the painting of landscapes, ships, animals, birds, and other figures is sketchy but assured, often with deliberately visible brushstrokes. In the 18th century a similar style prevailed, with sketchy scenes painted in restrained colors that were sometimes deliberately allowed to smudge and run.; In this rare 18th century Savona pottery flower vase, the creativity of the artist is illustrated with his choice of motifs and their placement. The typical blue against the soft white background still enchants. Ancient dwellings are tucked among fanciful flowers, but my favorite motifs are those representing the sun with rays of light. The artist has given these sun faces. Along the base are painted more flowers and leaves, along with a series of concentric circles that were done in narrow and wide strips. Between the top section and the bottom the artist placed wider sets of lines.; The shape is absolutely delightful. The bulbous middle and top gradually become a waisted shape on top of a wide circular base.
There are eight places along the sides of the vase to put in individual flowers. On the top is a larger stemmed opening with a flared lip to place larger blooms.; The thick glaze has kept the little painted motifs wonderfully preserved. The soft blue colors that bleed into darker blue forms and shapes are mesmerizing. One just wants to hold the vase and turn it around to take in all its splendor.; On the bottom is a painted mark, as well as an old collector’s label identifying it as 18th century Savona. This piece is one of several I obtained from the collection of a European nobleman.; Considering this vase is over 200 years old, it is in excellent condition. There are some very old chips to the cylindrical and flared openings for the flowers. There also are some pottery and glaze losses here and there around the bottom of the piece. Otherwise, the main body is in remarkable original condition. There is pitting where the painting and the glaze bubbled during firing. This, of course, adds to the antique charm of this incredible 18th century piece of Italian pottery.; It measures about 8-3/4 inches high and 6-1/8 inches at its widest point.

Reserve: $950.00

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