Bowl with the Arms of Cardinal Ciocchi del Monte San Savino

Description Famous for the ruby luster characteristic of the maiolica produced by his workdhop, Maestro Giorgio Andreoli received many prominent commissions. The heraldry and cardinal's hat in the center field of this bowl reveal that it was made for Cardinal Ciocchi del Monte San Savino (1487-1555) as part of a larger set, very likely made for his use in Rome, a city with no distinguished maiolica production of its own. He was later elected pope and took the name Julius III (r. 1550-55). The outer ring of the bowl depicts repeating designs of palmettes and vases, painted in gold and ruby luster on a dark blue background. The bowl’s reverse is adorned with four leaf scrolls painted in a luster glaze on the outer ring, and an inscription: 1527 / M° G° / da ugubio (1527 / M [Maestro {Master}] G [Giorgio] / of Gubbio). For other maiolica wares produced by Giorgio Andreoli, click on the name in the creator field; for more information on “maiolica”, see 48.1336.

Provenance Octavius E. Coope, Brentwood, Essex, by purchase [no. 31]; Sale, Christie's, London, May 3, 1910, no. 31; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1910, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Inscription] On the back, between the footring, in lustre: 1527 / M° G° / da ugubio (1527 / M [Maestro {Master}] G [Giorgio] / of Gubbio

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1910