Italian, Deruta and Gubbio, second quarter 16th century

Private Collection, Milan;

Milan, Sotheby's, 10 June 2009, lot 146;

With Trinity Fine Art Ltd., London;

Collection of Alexis Gregory, New York;

His sale, New York, Sotheby's, 22-30 January 2021, 760;

Where acquired.

E. A. Sannipoli, "Tipologie 'alla derutese' nella ceramica eugubina a lustro del Cinquecento." in L’Eugubino, LX, 2009, no. 5, pp. 22-23, fig. 10 (illus)

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Hispano-Moresque lusterware was imported into Italy as a less costly alternative to precious metal vessels. Italian potters, especially those in Gubbio and Deruta, mastered the difficult luster process, making their maiolica highly prized possessions. Gubbio luster is distinguished by its reddish-gold iridescence coupled with multi-colored decoration; Deruta luster more closely imitates the yellowish-gold luster and blue painting of Hispano-Moresque ceramics. The present dish is decorated with a peacock-feather motif which was a relatively unusual design, as few example exist. Another dish, with a different color palette and without the ruby luster, is in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (BK-NM-11872).