From Italy, this Majolica apothecary pitcher (orciuolo) is in the manner of the pitcher done by Castelli, ca. 1520, housed in the MET Museum NYC, The Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.

The hand painted pitcher below dates to the early 1900’s, and it depicts the bust of a Renaissance woman framed by a painted shaped line against a dark blue background. The other side depicts a man with a cap on and has the same colorations as the woman. Both are surrounded by colors and motifs in oranges pale blues, dark blues and yellows, all in scrolling and curved motifs. The pitchers spout is in the form of a dragon. At its base on a scrolled ribbon is an inscription in Gothic characters: Sy de Ribes (Currant Syrup). This colorful apothecary pitcher from Italy can be placed on any table, buffet, or on display in an etagere.

CONDITION: Very good condition with minor losses to paint and glaze, purposeful craquelure.