Ewer and Cover thumbnail 1
Ewer and Cover thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Medieval & Renaissance, Room 62, The Foyle Foundation Gallery

Ewer and Cover

1586-87 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ewer can be attributed to the Patanazzi workshop, one of the most important maiolica producers of Urbino, active from the last decades of the 16th century to the 1630s. At least four Patanazzi family members, Antonio, Alfonso, Francesco and Vincenzo were potters.
In the middle band of decoration, the ewer bears the coat of arms of the Bavaria family of Munich. It was part of a service given by Francesco Maria II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, to Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria in 1586-87. A first ‘diplomatic’ maiolica set was sent to William after his visit to Urbino in 1585. The Duke and Duchess let their appreciation be known to the Duke of Urbino and a second gift of a much larger set, comprising of 272 parts, soon followed in 1587.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Ewer
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware, painted
Brief description
Ewer with scroll handle, curved spout and cover. On each side of the body a shield with the arms of Bavaria on a white ground incorporating female figures, cupids, and small animals. Attributed to the Patanazzi workshop, Urbino, 1586-87.
Physical description
Ewer with scroll handle, short curved spout and cover. The decoration is divided into three bands. The middle band found on each side has a shield in a baroque scroll border with the arms of Bavaria. The shields are flanked by female figures, one facing a sphinx with a basket of fruit on its head; the other holding a cornucopia with a bird perched on it. On the above band on each side is a grotesque figure between two cupids. The band round the base is filled with winged monsters and cameos. The handle is decorated with a scale-pattern, the cover with false gadroon. The decoration is on a white ground except from the dividing bands. Slight restorations on foot.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25cm
  • Width: 23cm
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Object history
The ewer bears the coat of arms of the Bavaria family of Munich. It was part of a service given by Francesco Maria II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, to Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria in 1586-87.
A first ‘diplomatic’ maiolica set was sent to William after his visit to Urbino in 1585. The Duke and Duchess let their appreciation be known to the Duke of Urbino and a second gift of a much larger set, comprising of 272 parts, soon followed in 1587.
Other pieces which could be attributed to this set are a jar in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich and another one in a Bavarian private collection.
Production
This ewer can be attributed to the Patanazzi workshop, one of the most important maiolica producers of Urbino, active from the second half of the 16th century to the 1630s. At least four Patanazzi family members, Antonio, Alfonso, Francesco and Vincenzo were potters. Their refined style of decoration often incorporates elaborate grotesques on a white ground. This type of painted grotesque decorations seems to have been used on Urbino maiolica from about 1560, first in the workshop of Orazio Fontana. The Patanazzi family were connected by marriage with the Fontana's and succeeded their business.
Summary
This ewer can be attributed to the Patanazzi workshop, one of the most important maiolica producers of Urbino, active from the last decades of the 16th century to the 1630s. At least four Patanazzi family members, Antonio, Alfonso, Francesco and Vincenzo were potters.
In the middle band of decoration, the ewer bears the coat of arms of the Bavaria family of Munich. It was part of a service given by Francesco Maria II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, to Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria in 1586-87. A first ‘diplomatic’ maiolica set was sent to William after his visit to Urbino in 1585. The Duke and Duchess let their appreciation be known to the Duke of Urbino and a second gift of a much larger set, comprising of 272 parts, soon followed in 1587.
Bibliographic references
  • Fortnum, C. Drury E. A descriptive catalogue of the maiolica, Hispano-Moresco, Persian, Damascus, and Rhodian wares in the South Kensington Museum : with historical notes, marks, & monograms. London : Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education, 1873. p581.
  • Rackham, Bernard. Guide to Italian maiolica. London : Board of Education, 1933. p67.
  • Rackham, Bernard. Catalogue of Italian maiolica. London : H.M.S.O., 1977. no. 883, pl.142.
  • Hantschmann, Katharina. Die Majolikasammlung des Bayerischen Nationalmuseums und die Sammlung Pringsheim. In : Glaser, Silvia (ed), Italienische Fayencen der Renaissance; Ihre Spuren in internationalen Museumssammlungen. Neuremberg 2004. p.48, fig. 31.
  • Rackham, Bernard. Catalogue of Italian Maiolica, London : H.M.S.O., 1977
Other number
883 - Rackham (1977)
Collection
Accession number
4693&A-1858

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Record createdDecember 13, 2005
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