Two Milan Faience Figures of Chinamen on Wooden Stands, Factory of Felice Clerici

1745 – 1788

Height 23.6 cm without stand; 28.0 cm with stand

The two identical standing figures, cold-decorated in red, green and gold, each supported on carved octagonal walnut stands.

An identical model has been published as Ansbach 1720-25 (Brattig & Hesse), but the grand feu colours in green blue and manganese are close to those found in Milan and Rosetti’s factory in Turin.

A series of figures including examples marked Milan are published in Museuo d’Arti Appplicate, Ceramiche Tomo II, Musei e Gallerie di Milano, nos. 436, 437 & 438, pp.487-491 which confirm this attribution. They are dated here between 1760 and 1788, however Saul Levy in his Maiolica Settecentesche, figs. 72-74, dates them 1745-1788. The baroque spirit would certainly suggest an earlier rather than a later date.

Condition – No restoration. Some losses to the unfired decoration and small chips to the foot.

Provenance – Old Italian Collection, each with paper labels to the reverse with inventory mark CDP 90

Literature – Brattig & Hesse, Der schone Scheine: Deutsche Fayencekunst, MAK Koln (2013), no.50, p.170

This item has been sold