Dish - Polychrome maiolica - Manifattura di Castelli d'Abruzzo - 19th Century

Ancient and fascinating wall plate in maiolica, hand-painted in polychrome, superb testimony to the renowned Castelli d'Abruzzo ceramic tradition dating from the 19th century (late 1800s).
The piece presents at the center a delicate and lively bucolic scene with a popular, pastoral flavor: two wayfarers or shepherds with wide-brimmed hats captured in a moment of animated outdoor conversation, flanked by a faithful dog.
The scene unfolds within a finely drawn rural landscape, characterized by leafy trees rendered with the typical Castellan sponge technique, a small stone bridge spanning a brook, and an ancient arch or classical ruin in the background.
The color palette faithfully adopts the canonical hues of Castelli’s compendious and historical tradition: warm ochre tones, orange-yellow, copper green, shaded cobalt blue, and touches of manganese brown for outlines and shading.
The back of the plate shows the characteristic thick, rustic tin-glaze in ivory color, with a porous texture and the typical firing and workmanship marks of the era.
The piece is complete with its antique three-arm metal wall-hanging support.
The object is in generally good condition, consistent with its age and materials.
It bears the classic and captivating patina of time.
Small, fully normal nicks from wear and slight glaze loss along the outer edge are noted, along with minor firing imperfections on the rear that do not compromise its solidity or its high aesthetic and collecting value.
No major restoration or obvious thread or through-line work.
Please carefully view the rich attached photo gallery, which forms an integral part of the description.
Measurements: Diameter 36 cm.