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.
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.
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Other number | 883 - Rackham (1977) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4693&A-1858 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 13, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
