Giovanni della Robbia (1469– circa 1530) Italian, Florence, circa 1510-1520

with four labels inscribed respectively: GALLERIA BELLINI FIRENZE; 3^a MOSTRA NAZIONALE DELL'ANTIQUARIATO Pal. Braschi Roma; M.../ PAR... / 196... / 3; 13 / 17 / 9; and GALL. BELLINI FIRENZE 2045 on the underside

with Galleria Luigi Bellini, Florence, 1965;
private collection, Italy

Galleria "Luigi Bellini" di Giuseppe e Mario Bellini, Florence, 1965, unpaginated; 
G. Gentilini, I Della Robbia e l'arte nuova della scultura invetriata, exh. cat. Basilica di Sant'Alessandro, Fiesole, Prato, 1998, p. 276

Overall the condition of the vase is good with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. One handle has been broken off and reattached, and both handles have some surface restorations. There are a few restored breaks to the upper rim and the neck with some fill. There is a restoration to the foot of the vase, where a portion may have been broken off and reattached. These restorations are only slightly visible to the naked eye. There is particular wear with chips and abrasions to the glazing at many of the high points, notably the rims of the body of the vase and the bottom, the dolphin handles, and particularly the rim at the top. There are also a few chips to the terracotta in these areas. There is a slightly open stable fissure, as the result of firing, running vertically across the body of the vase below one of the handles. The surface at the underside of the vase is not quite even. The lid with foliate decorations is contemporary with the vase but possibly associated. There are several losses to the decoration of the lid, including to the grapes, the white flower, the lizard's extremities, and the leaves, in particular a section of the foliate at the outer edge. There are also several losses to the glazing on the lid at the high points, and there are several chips to the edges. An old collection seal is attached to one of the handles with a piece of string.
"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 vase is one of a type produced by the workshop of Giovanni della Robbia between 1510 and 1520. The body of the vase is closely similar in form to another example by Giovanni in the Musée National de la Ceramique, Sèvres (inv. no. 9121). Further vases of this type are in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 244-1894) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 14.64.1). The classicising form of the urn, together with the rich blues, greens and yellows, would have appealed to private patrons wishing to create luxuriant interiors.

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Gentilini, I Della Robbia e l'arte nuova della scultura invetriata, exh. cat. Basilica di Sant'Alessandro, Fiesole, Prato, 1998, pp. 275-277, no. III.18