An Italian Two-Handled 'Oak Leaf' Maiolica Jar, Mid 15th Century, Probably Florence

painted with sprays of 'oak leaf' decoration, two sides painted with lions, a ladder in green below each handle. 

Nicolier, 7 Quai Voltaire (according to a label on the underside)

Body and handles broken and repaired throughout. Fills throughout. Chips and overpainting to glaze throughout, including bodies of lions.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

RELATED LITERATURE

G. Cora, Storia della maiolica di Firenze e del Contado del XIV e del XV Secolo, Florence, 1973, vol. 2, pp. 72 and 252, figs. 72, 73a and c

T. Wilson, Ceramics Art of the Italian Renaissance, Hampshire, 1987

Until the late 14th century,  most central and northern potters employed color palettes mainly limited to manganese and green but in around 1400, a blue-black color, in thick impasto, was used in Tuscany. The 'oak-leaf' decoration, often interspersed with beasts, birds or heraldic devices, was a popular motif for bulbous two-handled jars such as the present lot. As Wilson (op.cit.) explains, drug names were not included on these jars but the jars were often painted with a device for a hospital pharmacy or monastic hospital.

The short ladder, frequently surmounted by a cross, is the emblem for Santa Maria della Scala in Siena where the present jar would have served as a drug container in the hospital's pharmacy. The ladder refers to the location of the hospital, in front of the steps (scala) of the city's cathedral. A branch of this hospital was opened in the early 14th century in Florence and became prominent. Since all branches of the hospital used this ladder device, it is difficult to determine for which branch the present jar was made. See a similar jar with pacing leonine beasts in Cora (op.cit., p.72).