Pair Of 17th-century Earthenware Vases With Lids, Featuring An Antique-style Portrait In A White-and-blue Medallion, 26 Cm

A beautiful pair of lidded vases in antique earthenware, late 17th to early 18th century, circa 1690–1720, made in an Italian factory near Savona, featuring a rich hand-painted decoration in shades of blue on a white background.

Flared in shape and resting on a molded pedestal, these two vases have retained their original lids, decorated with cherubs and topped with a knob-shaped handle.

The decoration is distinguished by the remarkable quality of the design and the finesse of its execution. Each vase features, within an oval medallion with poly-lobed contours, a bust of a figure in the classical style placed on a small pedestal. One depicts a bearded, draped man; the other, a female figure with her hair pulled back, dressed in a draped garment that reveals her shoulders.

The delicately drawn faces display subtle shading achieved through various shades of blue. The rendering of the hair, the folds of the clothing, and the facial expressions reveals the painter-potter’s true mastery.

The medallions are surrounded by foliage, flowers, and scrollwork arranged symmetrically. The design combines fine lines with bolder strokes, creating a beautiful balance between the central figures and the richness of the floral decoration.

• Heights with lids: 26 cm and 25 cm.

• Set: two vases with their two lids.

Condition:

Good condition—see photos—minor, discreet chipping, no flaking, no restoration.