Live Auction 5377Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes
A FAENZA MAIOLICA PHARMACY JAR
Lot 504 VARIOUS PROPERTIES

A FAENZA MAIOLICA PHARMACY JAR

CIRCA 1545

Closed31 May 2012

Price Realised

GBP 5,625

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A FAENZA MAIOLICA PHARMACY JAR
CIRCA 1545
Painted in ochre, blue, yellow and grey with a three-quarter length portrait of a turbaned figure before a banner inscribed GALE/NVS., within a simulated gadrooned cartouche, on a blue sgraffito ground reserved with military trophies and masks, within borders of scrolling foliage and ochre bands (restoration to rim, some chipping to rims)
13½ in. (34.4 cm.) high

Specialist note

The portrait appears to be that of Galen, the surgeon, philosopher and physician of Greek origin whose work was translated into Arabic, explaining his turbaned appearance on this albarello. For similar albarelli attributed to Faenza see Giuliana Gardelli, Italika, Maiolica Italiana del Rinascimento, Faenza, 1999, pp. 138-141, nos. 67-69.