Bruno Morbelli - Centro de Mesa o Copón de Gala con peana - Arte de Orfebrería sobre Porcelana - Centrepiece - Porcelain

This magnificent ornamental centerpiece or gala goblet consists of two independent bodies whose dimensions confer a commanding presence, typical of the great display pieces or consoles of the era.

The ensemble is a splendid symbiosis of French porcelain finesse with the mastery of a Milanese goldsmith.

BRUNO MORBELLI AND HIS WORKSHOP ARTE MORBELLI
The Morbelli brand, with family roots in goldsmithing since 1921, later developed in Italy a particular conception of artistic decoration on porcelain.

The studio, under the direction of master Bruno Morbelli, became an international reference in luxury collecting thanks to a unique and revolutionary concept: the “Oreficeria su Porcellana” (Ornamental Goldsmithing on Porcelain).

The prestige of the firm lay in its beautiful designs and in its skill for engraving the pieces and applying precious metals directly onto the relief in a completely manual manner.

ORIGIN AND ARTISTIC COLLABORATION:
This grand piece arises from the alliance between two great European luxury references: the hard-paste porcelain of extraordinary quality from Limoges (France) and the exquisite luxury goldsmithing workshop of Bruno Morbelli (Milan, Italy).

The marks on the base of the piece, on one side, guarantee its authenticity and provenance and on the other, identify the luxury techniques and the costly process of goldsmithing and jewelry employed to transform noble porcelain into a unique and exclusive work intended for international collectors.

AUTHENTICITY AND MARKS: The authenticity of the piece is guaranteed by the marks on the base of the pedestal, as well as by the commercial label of Gioielleria Lady Mary, Andria (Italy).

• Author Mark: “ARTE MORBELLI – FINE ARTS FACTORY” - MILANO, ITALIA

• Arte Orafa su Porcellana: "Arte de Orfebrería sobre Porcelana"

• Inciso in Acquaforte: "Grabado al aguafuerte"

• Oro 24 Kt: the mark indicates the use of 24-karat gold in the gilded decoration of the piece.

• Soporte: White hard-paste porcelain, manufactured in Limoges, France and marked with the green crown seal on the base and the goblet.

• The pedestal and the goblet bear the original commercial label of Gioielleria Lady Mary, Italian establishment specialized in jewelry, goldsmithing and silverware in Andria (Puglia, Italy).

Together, these elements constitute material documentation particularly relevant for the identification and contextualization of the piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PIECE. The sculptural design of the piece is integrated by two porcelain elements:

• Alzata: broad stepped circular pedestal with discreet feet integrated into the mold itself.

• Upper goblet whose edge, crenellated/corona-like in appearance, breaks the edge’s horizontality and accentuates the monumental silhouette of the piece.

• MORBELLI DECORATION TECHNIQUE
The ornamental value of this piece lies in the combination of aguaforte engraving, gilding, and relief work. The Morbelli mark itself identifies the piece with the expressions “ARTE ORAFA SU PORCELLANA”, “INCISO IN ACQUAFORTE” and “ORO 24 Kt”, formulas that document the firm’s technical specialty.

• IRIDESCENT GLAZE FINISH
The piece presents a complex iridescent glaze finish that demonstrates the high technical mastery achieved in its execution.

The background is dominated by a deep purple and violet range, with plum tones that subtly modify its hue and luster depending on light incidence and viewing angle.

Against this changing background, the elegant engravings and the abundant gilded decoration stand out, whose relief, shine and density enhance the sense of depth and visual richness of the whole.

• STYLE AND DECORATIVE THEME:
The decoration surrounding the body of the piece is inspired by the historicist repertoire with classical and Italian Renaissance influences.

The iridescent background has been carefully enriched with engravings created with fine lines representing ornamental urns, from which floral compositions formed by acanthus leaves, stylized foliage and scrolls emerge.

These motifs visually integrate with the oval reserves framed in gold that flank each urn, inside which an exquisite floral decoration in the form of a bouquet of gold flowers in relief develops.
The treatment of these reserves, with their ornate gold frames, recalls the ornamental language of luxury goldsmithing.

A geometric grid of diamonds, like trellis, accompanies the sides of the reserves and integrates with the gilded ornamentation, providing continuity to the decorative whole.

The result is an elegant play of contrasts between volume and surface, between the uniform shine of the background, the delicate lines of the engravings, and the luminosity of gold.

The stepped pedestal develops its own decorative program, articulated through a sequence of concentric gold bands and fillets that traverse and emphasize its various planes and guide us visually toward the body.
Among the gold fillets lies an alternating cadence of small gilded bouquets and oval-shaped engravings that accompany the pedestal’s volume without detracting from the main body.

DATING
From the typography of the marks, the piece is dated ca. 1980, a period of maximum artistic maturity and commercial expansion of Bruno Morbelli’s workshop.

DIMENSIONS
Total height: 27.5 cm
Goblet height: 18.5 cm
Diameter of the crenellated mouth: 27.5 cm
Pedestal height: 9 cm
Pedestal diameter: 29.5 cm

CONDITION:
Excellent state of preservation with an elegant aesthetic presence. The piece retains structural integrity without breakages, cracks, or restorations, and the base retains its supports.
The glaze and gold decoration are in very, very good condition, with only the slightest superficial wear compatible with its age and limited handling.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
** The photographs are part of the description.
** The final measurements and weight indicated correspond to the setup of secure packaging, essential to guarantee proper protection of the piece during transport.