Venice, workshop of Domenico da Venezia, c. 1570.

"Fiori e Frutti" decoration, foliate tendrils and scrolled decoration on cobalt blue ground. With a portrait on both sides, one of a bearded man, the other of a lady with pearl earring, each within a volute cartouche,

H 38 cm, D 25 cm.

Provenance: From an old Swiss private collection.

The maiolica of the Renaissance is among the most impressive creations in the history of ceramics. Even by the 15th and 16th centuries, the patrician families tried to impress with taste and opulence through a refined display of their maiolica collection. Through reciprocal diplomatic gifts, these exclusive objects spread among important noble families, even beyond the Italian borders. A note of gratitude from Lorenzo de 'Medici from 1490 reflects the enthusiasm for maiolica at that time: …se le cose piu rare debonno essere piu chare, questi vasi mi sono piu chari et piu il stimo che se fussino de argento, per esser molto excellenti et rari, come dico et nuovi a noi altri di qua“ (P.Berardi, L’antica maiolica di Pesaro, Florence 1984, p. 43).