{"product_id":"italian-maiolica-tazza-bella-donna-portrait-deruta-circa-1510-1550-tin-glazed-earthenware-central-italian-high-renaissance-a-finely-potted-and-boldly-painted-italian-maiolica-tazza-of-the-high-renaissance-period-the-shallow-footed-di","title":"16th Century Italian Antique Maiolica Tazza — Bella Donna Portrait, Attributed to Deruta, circa 1510–1550","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA finely potted and boldly painted \u003cstrong\u003eItalian maiolica tazza\u003c\/strong\u003e from the renowned workshops of \u003cstrong\u003eDeruta\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating to the early–mid 16th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tin‑glazed earthenware shallow-footed dish, decorated to the obverse with a central roundel enclosing a beautifully rendered female portrait bust in profile — the classic *\u003cstrong\u003ebella donna\u003c\/strong\u003e* type — a celebrated \u003cstrong\u003eRenaissance \u003c\/strong\u003emotif symbolising idealised beauty, virtue, and courtly refinement. The subject, wearing a blue-striped cap, pearl drop earring, and latticed bodice, flanked by the painted initials **B** and **T**. The roundel is set within a radiating eight-pointed star in giallolino yellow, the surrounding field painted in cobalt blue, copper green and orange-ochre with bold acanthus scrolls and stylised oak foliage, the scalloped rim banded in blue. The reverse glazed in white with a scrollwork border and a painted blue interlaced monogram mark to the centre well, the whole raised on a characteristic low foot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tin‑glazed earthenware, Central Italian, High Renaissance, shallow-footed dish presents a beautifully rendered \u003cstrong\u003e“Bella Donna” portrait\u003c\/strong\u003e, a celebrated \u003cstrong\u003eRenaissance \u003c\/strong\u003emotif symbolising idealised beauty, virtue, and courtly refinement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe painterly execution is confident and expressive, framed by scrolling foliate ornament in a palette characteristic of Deruta’s High Renaissance production: warm ochres, manganese outlines, and soft blue washes over a tin‑glazed ground. The form is elegant, the foot well proportioned, and the glaze retains a pleasing early surface with expected craquelure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePortrait tazze (the plural) of this type were often created as \u003cstrong\u003emarriage gifts\u003c\/strong\u003e, tokens of esteem, or decorative objects for studioli and refined domestic interiors. Surviving examples of this quality are increasingly scarce, with close parallels held in the collections of the \u003cstrong\u003eV\u0026amp;A\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003eBritish Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the \u003cstrong\u003eMetropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking and evocative object from the golden age of Italian maiolica — rich in presence, history, and Renaissance charm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The decoration and palette all point to Deruta, Umbria, Central Italy. 16th Century, circa 1510–1550. The reverse monogram, a bold interlaced cypher with crossbar flourish painted in cobalt, is consistent with Deruta workshop or painter's marks of the period. However, individual attribution to a named hand remains the subject of ongoing scholarly enquiry in this field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tin-glazed earthenware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eWear consistent with age. Expected glaze craquelure, minor surface marks, and small frits to the rim are typical of early maiolica. No modern restoration has been detected under UV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23.5 cm (9.25 in)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 cm (2.76 in)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53210614661462,"sku":"HAF7335","price":1950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/7462\/5878\/files\/Photoroom-20260422-183318.jpg?v=1776879685","url":"https:\/\/holtantiquefurniture.com\/products\/italian-maiolica-tazza-bella-donna-portrait-deruta-circa-1510-1550-tin-glazed-earthenware-central-italian-high-renaissance-a-finely-potted-and-boldly-painted-italian-maiolica-tazza-of-the-high-renaissance-period-the-shallow-footed-di","provider":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}