Lot 45 - Web Auction 72

Plate

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Description

Plate


Wide brimmed plate with wide cavetto.
Recto: majolica painted in polychromy; angels between festoons of flowers and fruit; at the top, two angels support a large coat of arms referring to a marriage between the noble families Caracciolo and d'Avalos; in the centre mythological history with "Toilet of Venus".
Verso: white with Episcopal Emblem in blue [mitre].
Ø cm.26; h. cm. 2,5. Cond: very good.

Castles, Giacomo Gentili the Elder - Carmine Gentili, 18th century, early.

The beautiful elitist ceramic presents in lively colors the dressing table of a goddess, Venus, whose son, Love, supports the mirror, while the maids are intent on preparing an elaborate hairstyle. It is clear the reference to a marriage event between two important families, such as the Caracciolo and the D’Avalos. Considering that in the verse a bishop's miter is drawn, the homage to the spouses could have been commissioned by Innico Caracciolo bishop of Aversa from 1697 to 1715, date on which he was appointed Cardinal. The dating proposed on the basis of the comparison with the only work formed by Giacomo the Elder in 1713, shortly before his death, is perfectly suited to the work, and does not exclude a collaboration with Carmine, his younger brother. For the "Venus effect" iconography for other Castelli ceramics, the Tolone di Didone is also mentioned, however in later majolica. Furthermore, the fact that it is really Love that holds the mirror of its mother Venus, removes all doubt.
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