Maloroni - maloroni - Plate - Ceramic

An exceptionally rare plate of Italian majolica, originating from one of the most prestigious European manufactories of the 19th century.
HISTORY AND ORIGIN
The presented object was produced around 1870 at the famous Molaroni manufactory in Pesaro (Italy). This period marks the golden age of the so-called Renaissance Revival, when the Molaroni family gained worldwide fame for unmatched precision in reproducing 16th-century patterns from Urbino and Castel Durante.
The Molaroni manufactory was repeatedly awarded at world exhibitions, and its products adorn today the most important museum collections of artistic craftsmanship around the world.
ARTISTIC LAYER AND SYMBOLISM
The plate is characterized by an exceptionally refined, fully hand-painted lid-? (mural? decoration) in the classical majolica color palette (antimony yellow, cobalt blue, copper green, and ochre):
• Plate mirror: Finessely painted Putto (winged Cupid) against a landscape. The figure holds a garland of flowers, which in the iconography of the era symbolizes abundance, spring, and the joy of life. Masterful light and shadow convey the sculptural quality of the figure’s body.
• Collar (grotesque): Richly decorated with Pesaro grotesque motifs. Vertically arranged masks (winged heads), stylized acanthus leaves, and cornucopia – classic motifs of Italian Mannerism.
• Reverse: On the base there is an original cobalt signature: the letter “M” under a five-pointed crown, which unambiguously confirms authorship by Molaroni.
CONDITION AND TECHNICAL DETAILS
• Diameter: 25 cm.
• Technique: Traditional majolica, tin glaze, glaze-painted decoration under the glaze.
• Condition: Very good, considering the object’s more than 150-year history. Small, natural glaze chips along the edge of the base (the foot) and traces of traditional hanging wires, which in the world of antiques confirm authenticity and age of the item. No cracks of the “spider web” type in the plate’s mirror.
COLLECTION VALUE
This is a piece with high investment potential. Molaroni pieces from this period are rare on the antique market and make an ornament to any refined ceramics collection.