10153 A rare Neapolitan terraglia centrepiece by Giustiniani, the multi-lobed flower bowl with applied cream and gilt beads above a green bead base, supporting a cylindrical centre column with a campana-shaped vase with similar decoration. Stamped twice Giustiniani I N. Three rim leaves re-stuck and restored.
Italian
1826-1836
Height: 14.5 ins (37 cms)
Diameter: 13 ins (33 cms)
Description
This extremely scarce type of “mosaic” decoration seems to be exclusive to the Giustiniani factory in Naples. Only a few examples are recorded in this technique; several vases with handles in Etruscan colours and an inkstand in similar colouring to ours. We can assume that the rarity is largely due to uneconomic and the time consuming construction involving the accurate placing of the cylindrical mosaic tessera followed by firing and glazing.
What is known is that creamware imitating relief mosaic was shown for the first time at the 1826 exhibition in the Fabbrica di Biagio Giustiniani, and mentioned again at the company exhibition in 1828. This vase was purchased at the 1828 exhibition for the Museo Artistico Industriale, Naples where it can be seen today. It is unlikely that due to the high costs, the production continued much beyond 1830.
The Giustiniani factory was founded by Nicola Giustiniani circa 1760 and its most successful period was from 1820 to 1840, under the direction of Nicola’s grandson, Biagio. Although a variety of wares were produced, copies of Antique vases and the use of antique forms and decoration were the high point of its production. The firm closed around 1885.
