Italian, Faenza or perhaps Pesaro, circa 1500

the reverse with gothic foliage

Christie's London, 3rd October 1983, lot 238 (as Tuscan)

In generally good condition. There is minor typical glaze flaking to extremities. There are two small chips on the foot rim and a chip on the rim. There are three short cracks, perhaps glaze cracks, to the interior which do not appear on the outside edge
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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."

Scholarship now seems to suggest Pesaro as the most likely centre for this painting style, traditionally attributed to Tuscany or to Faenza. For a comparison and discussion, see J. E. Poole, Italian Maiolica...in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge 1995, no. 352.