Ceramica Castelli - Pitcher (2) - Ceramic - Large sizes
Starting bid
€ 1
Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.
Expert
Selected by Florentin Brunz Gaborieau
Holds a master’s in Art History, specialising in Second French Empire and Dutch Golden Age.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 138705 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Rare Pair of large Castelli Ceramic table pitchers, molded and hand-painted.
This pair of Majolica pitchers from Castelli is an elegant example of Abruzzo ceramic tradition of the twentieth century, inspired by historical decorations developed in the famous Castelli workshops. The slender form, with a long pouring spout and a characteristic curved handle, recalls the ancient wine or liqueur carafes of the local tradition.
The entire surface is hand-decorated with a rich polychrome composition of countryside flowers, leaves and sinuous tendrils that intertwine harmoniously on a white background. At the center of the decoration stands a flying bird, a motif much loved in Castelli production and present for centuries in the factory’s ornamental repertoire together with the traditional “fioracci” and populist decors.
Crafted and painted entirely by hand, these pitchers represent not only refined decorative objects, but also a testament to the long tradition of Castelli majolica, famous worldwide for the quality of the decoration and the craftsmanship of its artisans. Perfect as decorative elements, they can be displayed singly or as a pair, enhancing classic, rustic or eclectic-styled environments with the authentic charm of Italian artistic ceramics.
The Castelli ceramics represent an ancient art that originated in the sixteenth century. This production, located in the province of Teramo, is based on a production process handed down from generation to generation and has become a strong symbol of identity for the local community. The surrounding countryside of this village, which lies at the foot of Monte Camicia, is characterized by the presence of clay soils, used for centuries as a raw material for ceramic production. Castelli ceramics are, in particular, maiolicas, i.e., ceramics with a special glaze that gives them their luminosity. A notable work is the church of San Donato, not far from the town center, whose main feature is a roof covered with 16th-century majolica tiles, which earned it the epithet “Sistine Chapel of majolica” coined by the writer Carlo Levi. Castelli ceramics are famous not only in Italy but also abroad, being present in major museums such as the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the British Museum in London.
Very rare.
Excellent overall condition, minimal defects related to the artisanal nature of the production, shown in the photographs.
Measurements 33x19x12 cm
Seller's Story
My name is Riccardo. I recently graduated in Art History from the University of Florence and I am passionate about porcelain. From tableware to artistic vases, from figurines to tea and coffee sets, I am fascinated by the mastery and creativity of great artisans and designers who manage to shape this fragile material, transforming a rough mass into masterpieces with a story to tell. During my years at university I began to become interested in the history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century tableware; today, every day, I deal with prestigious porcelain pieces that always have something to say to me and to those who purchase them. I love that every day I can discover more about the objects I find while traveling around Italy, always learning something new. I always try to convey to my clients this passion I have for the objects I sell, certain that each of them has a story to tell: that of the creator, that of the one who preserved it, and that of the person who will give it a new life.
Translated by Google TranslateRare Pair of large Castelli Ceramic table pitchers, molded and hand-painted.
This pair of Majolica pitchers from Castelli is an elegant example of Abruzzo ceramic tradition of the twentieth century, inspired by historical decorations developed in the famous Castelli workshops. The slender form, with a long pouring spout and a characteristic curved handle, recalls the ancient wine or liqueur carafes of the local tradition.
The entire surface is hand-decorated with a rich polychrome composition of countryside flowers, leaves and sinuous tendrils that intertwine harmoniously on a white background. At the center of the decoration stands a flying bird, a motif much loved in Castelli production and present for centuries in the factory’s ornamental repertoire together with the traditional “fioracci” and populist decors.
Crafted and painted entirely by hand, these pitchers represent not only refined decorative objects, but also a testament to the long tradition of Castelli majolica, famous worldwide for the quality of the decoration and the craftsmanship of its artisans. Perfect as decorative elements, they can be displayed singly or as a pair, enhancing classic, rustic or eclectic-styled environments with the authentic charm of Italian artistic ceramics.
The Castelli ceramics represent an ancient art that originated in the sixteenth century. This production, located in the province of Teramo, is based on a production process handed down from generation to generation and has become a strong symbol of identity for the local community. The surrounding countryside of this village, which lies at the foot of Monte Camicia, is characterized by the presence of clay soils, used for centuries as a raw material for ceramic production. Castelli ceramics are, in particular, maiolicas, i.e., ceramics with a special glaze that gives them their luminosity. A notable work is the church of San Donato, not far from the town center, whose main feature is a roof covered with 16th-century majolica tiles, which earned it the epithet “Sistine Chapel of majolica” coined by the writer Carlo Levi. Castelli ceramics are famous not only in Italy but also abroad, being present in major museums such as the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the British Museum in London.
Very rare.
Excellent overall condition, minimal defects related to the artisanal nature of the production, shown in the photographs.
Measurements 33x19x12 cm
Seller's Story
My name is Riccardo. I recently graduated in Art History from the University of Florence and I am passionate about porcelain. From tableware to artistic vases, from figurines to tea and coffee sets, I am fascinated by the mastery and creativity of great artisans and designers who manage to shape this fragile material, transforming a rough mass into masterpieces with a story to tell. During my years at university I began to become interested in the history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century tableware; today, every day, I deal with prestigious porcelain pieces that always have something to say to me and to those who purchase them. I love that every day I can discover more about the objects I find while traveling around Italy, always learning something new. I always try to convey to my clients this passion I have for the objects I sell, certain that each of them has a story to tell: that of the creator, that of the one who preserved it, and that of the person who will give it a new life.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Large sizes
Number of objects
2
Material
Ceramic
Manufacturer/brand
Ceramica Castelli
Country of origin
Italy
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
33 cm
Width
19 cm
Diameter
12 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960
