Lotto di tre ceramiche artistiche – Serafino Volpi e Alma Deruta – Gusto egittizzante, 1930–1960 - Vase (3) - Ceramic - Lot of three ceramic pieces.

Lot of three artistic ceramics – Serafino Volpi and Alma Deruta – Egyptianizing Taste, 1930–1960

Special and scenographic lot composed of three Deruta artistic ceramics, hand-painted and decorated, including a jug attributed to Serafino Volpi and two ornamental plates from the Alma Deruta manufactory, characterized by a refined and lively polychrome decoration with Egyptianizing inspiration, embellished with gilded details and profiles.

The three pieces, though belonging to two different ceramic productions, present a harmonious and coherent decorative language, inspired by the art and iconography of ancient Egypt, reinterpreted through ornamental fantasy and the artistic sensibility of Umbrian ceramics of the twentieth century.

The two decorative plates – Alma Deruta

The two plates, both 18 cm in diameter, are distinguished by their peculiar circular shape with a strongly shaped and wavy silhouette, featuring scrolls and swirls in emerald green, enriched by reliefs and gilded highlights. The surface is organized according to a radial composition, with a succession of lanceolate elements reminiscent of lotus petals, rendered in shades of purple red, blue, black and gold. At the center of each plate, within a circular frame composed of small light oval elements outlined in gold, there appears a human figure in an Egyptian-inspired profile, set against a luminous ochre yellow background, animated by subtle vertical brushstrokes.

The first plate depicts a female figure with dark skin, black hairstyle, ornamental headband, multicolored collar and gilded jewelry, shown holding a blue and gold decorative element. The second plate portrays a male figure with Egyptian taste, also in profile, with a decorated headdress, a broad blue and gold collar and stylized clothing. The character holds a long staff, in a freely inspired iconography of ancient Egypt.

The two compositions, different in subject but tightly coordinated in form, colors and ornamental repertoire, form a decorative ensemble of notable effect.

Alma Deruta production fits into the tradition of Umbrian artistic majolica, characterized by the valorization of manual decoration, the use of vivid polychromy and the reinterpretation of historical and exotic ornamental repertoires.

The jug – Serafino Volpi, Deruta

The jug, 15 × 10 cm, signed by Serafino Volpi, features a distinctive bulbous form with a broad handle, oval opening and pronounced pouring spout.

The body, covered with an ivory-colored clear glaze, is decorated with an Egyptianizing female figure depicted in profile, with long black coiffure, a gilded headband and multicolored ornaments. Next to the figure are symbolic motifs inspired by ancient Egypt, including the ankh cross, a traditional emblem of life, and stylized decorative elements. The upper band is embellished with a sequence of geometric diamond- and triangular-shaped motifs in green, red and ochre tones, outlined by thin gilded profiles. The upper edge, colored in purple-red, elegantly emphasizes the sinuous profile of the pouring spout.

The particular shape and the liveliness of the decoration express the experimental and ornamental taste of 20th-century Deruta ceramic production, in which archaeological suggestions, Orientalist echoes and decorative fantasy blend into original compositions.

Artist note – Serafino Volpi (1897–1963)
Serafino Volpi (1897–1963) was one of the protagonists of 20th-century Deruta artistic ceramics. Painter, ceramist and entrepreneur, he collaborated with important Umbrian manufactories and in 1928 founded Maiolica Derutese Volpi. Around 1950 he started his own workshop, standing out for an original and experimental production, characterized by innovative forms, vivid polychrome and decorations of modern, Orientalist and exotic taste.

His activity contributed to the renewal of Deruta’s ceramic tradition and the diffusion of Umbrian artistic majolica, through a personal language capable of combining traditional techniques with new decorative interpretations.

Historical and artistic context

The lot fits into the Egyptianizing and Orientalist taste that characterized some expressions of Italian artistic ceramics in the twentieth century, finding interesting interpretations in the Umbrian ceramic environment, particularly Deruta. The decorative repertoire recalls the renewed European interest in the civilization of ancient Egypt, fueled by the major archaeological discoveries of the early twentieth century and, in particular, by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

This inspiration was reinterpreted by ceramic artists through imaginative compositions, bright colors, stylized floral motifs and abundant gilded decorations.

The richness of polychromy, the elegance of shaped profiles and the harmony between Egyptian figures and ornamental motifs give the lot a notable decorative character. An interesting combination of three 20th-century Deruta artistic ceramics, representative of two different productions united by the Egyptianizing taste, particularly suitable for collectors of Italian majolica, Umbrian artistic ceramics and decorative objects inspired by Orientalist motifs.

Technical data sheet

Lot composition: 3 objects

1. Jug with pouring spout
- Artist: Serafino Volpi
- Manifacture: Volpi – Deruta
- Dimensions: 15 × 10 cm
- Material: glazed ceramic, hand-painted and decorated, with gilded details
- Style: Egyptianizing

2. Pair of decorative, shaped plates
- Manifacture: Alma Deruta
- Quantity: 2
- Diameter: 18 cm each
- Material: glazed ceramic, hand-painted and decorated, with gilded details
- Decoration: Egyptian figures, stylized floral motifs and polychrome ornaments
- Style: Egyptianizing / Orientalist

General information
- Geographical origin: Deruta, Umbria, Italy
- Proposed period: 20th century, roughly 1930–1960
- Type: Decorative artistic ceramics for collectors