A documentary Castel Durante drug bottle, dated 6th May 1550, workshop of Ludovico e Angelo Picchi

the label inscribed 'AQUA PORTULACE bellow a laurel edged portrait medallion against a ground of  grotesque masks and military trophies, one dated 1550, another panel inscribed 'a di sei d'Maggio 1550/ fato in tere(?) durantis(?)' , (neck reduced and with hair crack chips to foot rim)

- Sprovieri Collection
- Altomani, Pesaro

some glaze loss and repainting to area around the head medallion, hair crack and chips to foot rim, the neck reduced
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A small group of these wares is known, sold in these rooms, with similar detailed inscriptions, variously spelt. Two albarelli with similar inscriptions, one with the same portrait as the present example and dated 1555, are illustrated by J. Giacomotti, Catalogue de majoliques des Musée Nationaux, nos. 794 and 796, and by Chompret, Repertoir de la Majolique Italienne, figs. 159 and 162. A jar inscribed 'In Castello Durante 1562 per maestro Simone' was illustrated by C. Leonardi, La Ceramica rinascimentale metaurense. No. 39.

A document in the municipal library at Urbania records an order placed by Nicola Carsazia, a Sicilian-Genoese merchant, with Maestro Simone at the Picchi workshop in Casteldurante on the 22^nd February 1550, for drug vessels including '50 Albarelli pinti a trophei grandi e a quartieri' and '30 Fiaschi...'; in article by A. Ragona, Faenza 1976, p.106.

Since its sale in these rooms 13.7.1995, lot 175, this piece has been illustrated by Timothy Wilson, Italian Renaissance Ceramics, 2005, pp.354-358; and by C.Leonardi and M.Moretti, I Picchi Maiolicari, pl. 4 and front cover.