Description
The composition, with a stylized profile of a beautiful woman (Bella Donna) on the central boss and a six-part band of vegetal and geometric ornamentation, is typical of earthenware produced in the maiolica (earthenware with a tin glaze) workshops of Deruta during the early 16th century. There are records of basins, together with their ewers (vase-shaped pitchers), given as special toiletry items to young women. This vessel with an idealized female portrait admiring a plant with flowers at center may have served as such a piece.
For additional images of beautiful women on maiolica ware, see: 48.1351; 48.1358; 48.1510; 48.1741.
For more on earthenware and maiolica see: 48.1320; 48.1336.
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