Drawing, Design for a Vase with a Two-handled Cover, by an unknown artist, Mantua or Padua, pen and ink and blue wash, Late 15th century or Early 16th century

The surface of the urn is covered with intrictae classical ornament. On the cover are two amorini carrying torches; on the body is a sphinx playing the bagpipes, with two amorini playing the flute.
On paper that has been cut out along the outlines and pasted on another sheet.

PROVENANCE Sir T. Lawrence (Lugt 2445); S. Woodburn (sale, Christie, 4 June 1860, probably lot 7, 'a design for a vase by S. Botticelli'; bought for the Museum)

From Reitlinger Catalogue of Drawings by Old Masters, 1921:
Details closely akin to those in this drawing are to be found in the illuminations of the 'Sforza Book of Hours' in the British Museum. Indeed, design of this type constantly occurs on the majolica of the period 1490-1530, and its introduction, particularly into Northern Italy, is probably due to the School of Squarcione (1394-1474) and his illustrious pupil, Mantegna.
The design is quite in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance, with its reckless borrowing from classical antiquity, but infusing new life into the old classical details of acanthus leaves, sphinxes and cupids.

Aquisition register names Sandro Botticelli as the designer, now rejected. The design featrures in a list from 'Drawings by Old Masters: chiefly Italian School, [Samuel] Woodburn Collection, sale [4-6] June 1860.'

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