Deruta, probably workshop of Giacomo Mancini, called "El Frate" (aktiv c. 1540-60), first half of the 16th century.

Painted in blue and "lustro dorato". The kneeling Saint Jerome with recumbent lion before Golgotha with Christ on the Cross, within a hilly landscape with architecture. The underside painted with concentric circles in lustre, on a flat recessed foot.

D 26 cm. H 6 cm. Restored.

Provenance:
- Bonhams, The Howard Neville Collection of Early Works of Art and Textiles, London, 9.12.2009, Lot 26.
- Important private collection of an Italian aristocrat.

“Belle Arti” export license available.

A rare bowl of exceptional quality.

A relief plaque with comparable depiction was formerly part of the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, see Christie's, Important Italian Maiolica from the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, NY 1. 6.1994, Lot 14 and a plate at Christie's Paris, Important Mobilier et Objets d'Art, 13.12.2006, Lot 105.
It could possibly also be a work by Nicola Francioli, a Renaissance painter from Deruta (archivally mentioned 1513-1565), called "Co". A plate signed "Co" painted with putto and dolphin and a cup have been hitherto verifiable. (G. Busti/ F. Cocchi, Nicola Francioli detto "Co", in: Italienische Fayencen der Renaissance, Nuremberg 2004, p. 157-173).