Italian, Castelli, mid-18th century

With L. Bernheimer, Munich;

Arthur M. Sackler, New York;

New York, Christie's, The Arthur M. Sackler Collection, 6 October 1993, lot 64;

London, Christie's 6 December 2004, lot 336 (paper label);

London, Sotheby's, Berhnheimer Day Sale, 25 November 2015, lot 406;

Where acquired.

It is possible that this vase depicts Emperor Constantine the Great, who was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. The female figure depicted could be his mother Helena, who historians have suggested may have exposed him to the Christian religion.

The painting on this vase has in the past been attributed to Liborio Grue. The style of painting can certainly be compared to examples signed by Grue. A closely related vase of similar form and decoration, but painted with a scene of Neptune was sold at Christie's London, 29th June 1987, lot 64. Another vase of very similar form depicting Noah and signed L.G.P was sold at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 28th April 2006, and a plate signed by Liborio Grue is also published by Luciana Arbace, Maioliche di Castelli La Raccolta Acerbo, 1993, p. 78, no. 67.

A saucer dated 1728 depicting an identical version of the Madonna and Child is in the Victoria and Albert Museum London, mus. no. C.135-1938, published by Bernard Rackham, Catalogue of Italian Maiolica, 1940, Vol. I, p. 386, Vol. II, pl. 187, no. 1163.