Glazed Terracotta Ceremonial Dish

Important circular Italian Maiolica dish with polychrome relief decoration. The basin depicts a scene representing an allegory of fertility: a nude female figure, reclining in a pastoral landscape, accompanied by a putto and a goat, symbolizing the abundance and fecundity of nature. The central scene, rendered in a mythological style inspired by classical antiquity, is surrounded by a wide, radiating, raised border adorned with stylized motifs. The characteristic palette combines cobalt blue, green, and ochre yellow on a tin-glazed background. This type of decoration is in keeping with the tradition of the workshops of Deruta, Faenza, and Urbino, major centers of Italian glazed ceramic production in the 16th and 17th centuries. Beautiful antique patina, with wear and minor imperfections consistent with age. Period: 17th century. Origin: Italy. Material: Polychrome glazed earthenware. Decoration: Mythological allegory of fertility. Use: Ceremonial dish/sideboard.