"Two Majolica Salt Cellars / Spice Holders Deruta Italy, Circa 1600"
HAUTE EPOQUE / ITALIAN MAJOLICADERUTA, ITALY
Late 16th to early 17th cty
Pair of plain fire (in blue, ochre cameo, fading green, and manganese) majolica / ceramic large salt cellars or spice holders with decoration inspired by Renaissance designs of floral basins, stylized arabesques, fantastic birds or dragons, ...
Large openwork winged harpies ornament on the corners of these majolica display pieces.
The shape of these salt cellars seems to have been created by the Patanzzi family, a famous earthenware workshop family from Urbino city.
The interior of the salt cellars is decorated with an 'S' letter on a bluish-grey background in one, and a burning heart in the other.
Condition:
Cushion-shaped, these salt cellars originally rested on 4 small lion-paw-shaped feet, here broken and missing on our 2 examples (perhaps only a few lion paws were missing and previous owners, as is often the case, may have preferred to remove the remaining ones to provide stability and unity rather than restoring them...) and to display the salt cellars on a table as they are.
One of the harpies or caryatids at the corner of one of the 2 salt cellars has been restored (please check photo); enamel chips and missing parts...
These majolica spice holders remain, despite their condition, a remarkable testament to Renaissance Tableware Arts. Salt and spices were luxury products at the time, their use and display reflecting a high standard of living and social status. It was therefore fashionable to stage their use during formal receptions.
Dimensions:
13*13*11 cm height
and 14*14*9.5 cm height
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