Italian Majolica Game Bird Tureen

Length: 10.5 inches. This Italian hand-painted earthenware tureen is modeled in the form of a nesting partridge or similar game bird. The two-piece set consists of a fitted lid and a deep oval base. The bird is rendered with a textured feather pattern finished in a glossy glaze of dark reddish-brown, ochre, and cream tones. The head is painted light gray with detailed eyes and a yellow beak. The base is designed as a nest, featuring a heavily textured "grass" rim in golden-brown tones, accented by applied green ceramic leaves and small red worm motifs. The interior is finished in a smooth white glaze, and the lid includes a small circular steam vent hole. The underside of the base is marked with hand-painted red characters including a model number P. 953 . B and the country of origin.