A rare and early Faenza maiolica Inkwell late 15th century

of monumental architectural form with corner supports modelled in the round as the Four Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance with four receptacles, on a cruciform quatrelobed base (some restoration to the figures), complete with 1902 auction catalogue

Guidi Collection, Faenza
Sangiorgi Collection;  their sale, Rome, April 21st-27th, 1902, lot 307
Cucci Collection, Rimini

C. Ravanelli Guidotti, Thesaurus, Faenza 1998, p.226
G Gardelli, 'Problematiche di un 'virtuoso' calamaio del Quattrocento', Ceramica Antica, 1991, pp.43-51

restoration to the chequered top and to the cylidrincal sides of inkwell, which ha sbeen broken away from the Virtue supports, each figure has consequently restoration to the head, neck and surrounding area. Figure of Temperance: losses to tips of feet Figure of Fortitude: losses to tip of baton Figure of Justice: Fasces and left hand fingers restored Figure of Prudence: restoration to bag in left hand, chips to left foot and edge of her dress. Inkpots: all four restored some chips and glaze chips around base, overall small typical chips.
"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."

This inkwell is one of the most important existing examples of work by the earliest generation of sculptors in maiolica, well before even the work of Giovanni di Nicola Manzoni del Colle, whose dated pieces run from 1507 to 1516, and was catalogued as such already for the Sangiorgi Collection sale in 1902 [in translation]: "Pièce très rare à cause surtout de l'époque reculée de sa fabrication, remontant à la moitié du XVe siècle, époque primitive ou prédomine la zaffera dans la coloration; par la valeur  artistique de son style et enfin par le caractère symbolique des figures correspondant au but moral et philosophique de l'écrivain"

It belongs to the same era as the Emilian terracotta sculptures of the last decades of the fifteenth century, led by Niccolo dell'Arca and Guido mazzoni. Its four allegorical Virtues recall in their scuptural quality and in their drapery those of the figures of the Compianto dated 1487 in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, formerly in the Pasolini dall'Onda collection, see C. Ravanelli Guidotti, op.cit., fig.6, p.224

The closest parallel, in shape, size and ambition, is perhaps the inkwell in the Museo Civico at Bologna, with a model of the town supported by her four patron saints, see Ravanelli Guidotti, Ceramiche Occidentali del Museo Civico Medievale di Bologna, 1985, no.30 p.57