Vintage Italian Majolica 2024 Raffaellesco Pitcher

This is 2024 gorgeous vintage hand made Italian majolica ceramic pitcher with a long spout. The pitcher is small—for wine, perhaps? Or a small water pitcher? It was made in Deruta, Italy, and features hand-painted painted blue and orange scrolling brushstrokes encircling several bunched balloons. Deruta dates from the 15th century and is one of the most classic and enduring patterns. It is also known as Ricco Deruta. This pattern is believed to be modeled after frescoes Raphael painted during the Italian Renaissance.

This pitcher is in good condition —there are some small chips at the point of the spout (see pic), but there are no cracks, repairs, or crazing.

“Deruta, a medieval hilltown in Umbria, Italy, is mainly known as a major centre for the production of maiolica (painted tin-glazed earthenware) in the Renaissance and later. Production of pottery is documented in the early Middle Ages, though no surviving pieces can be firmly attributed there before about 1490. It reached its artistic peak in the 15th and early 16th century.

It was the first Italian centre to use lustreware pigments, usually yellow, ruby or olive-green. Open pieces are usually only painted the top side; both of these suggesting influence from Spain. Deruta istoriato designs (with narrative scenes) are less common than single figures, usually no more than half-length, and in both cases the central painted design rarely covers the whole surface, leaving room for a generous border painted with decorative motifs.”

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deruta_ceramics