San Marino - Plaquette - Madonna with Child, sgraffito on blood-red • signed 'Gaby' • ca. 1950–1965 - Ceramic

The lines in this face are drawn with black engobe: the light clay underneath forms eyes, mouth, and hair. A sgraffito wall plaque with Madonna and Child, signed 'Gaby', in the San Marino tradition. Veil, halos and floral garlands lie in relief as thick glazed drips on blood red. On the wall a small devotional plaque, ready to hang.

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Description:
A long, wall-mounted plaque in a six-sided rounded form, with a raised edge. Mary wears a sky-blue veil, a golden halo and a necklace of white rods. The Child rests on her arm, with his own halo and cobalt-blue drapery. On both sides, tendrils with white flowers and yellow dots run along. Sky blue is the color of Mary; the white flowers symbolize her purity. The figures are set in black engobe, its contours drawn onto the light clay. The colored glaze is relief, so light sweeps over it. The back is matte black, with an oval stand ring and a hanging cord.

About the maker:
In the Republic of San Marino, in the 1950s dozens of ceramic studios worked, including Marmaca, Titano and Libertas. Their sgraffito on red and black grounds became a recognizable, distinctive style. This piece bears the signature of the decorator.

In the interior:
Above a narrow wall console in the hallway, in the morning light, the blood red glows like stained glass.

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Condition:
Good. Front: glaze and relief without chips or hairline cracks observed. Back: remnants of the original paper label and superficial traces of a removed price sticker. The burnt blood red and small glaze differences are production-specific. See the images.

In a glance:
Material: earthenware, sgraffito through black engobe, layered colored glaze
Dimensions and weight: 3 x 22.5 x 10 cm, 300 g
Brand: signature 'Gaby' in sgraffito bottom right on the front; label residue on the back
Dating: circa 1950–1965
Provenance: from a private collection, Western Europe

Description and sources:
Book by Mark Hill Alla Moda (a recommended reference)
Attributed to the San Marino ceramic ateliers, 1950s to early 1960s. The technique, blood-red ground, and matte black back correspond to stamped works by Libertas. A San Marino bowl Mother with Child of the same length shows the same subject in the same technique. The name Gaby, applied in the same technique, is the signature of the decorator.

Shipping:
Professionally packed in a sturdy box with cushioning material, for fragile objects a double box. Always insured, sent with Track and Trace. More than 1,100 reviews from previous buyers; see the feedback.