Italian faience plate, Castelli maiolica, Abruzzo, Italy.

by **ClaraIreland2** July 3rd 2015, 12:38 pm

26 cm diameter antique plate which I think is Italian. It has a central depiction of a God in the clouds together with a phoenix like bird. The border is a series of what looks like oranges and putti. Can you help me to identify the maker, its age and who the God might be. Many thanks

Italian faience plate, Castelli maiolica, Abruzzo, Italy. Dscn6110

Italian faience plate, Castelli maiolica, Abruzzo, Italy. Dscn6111

Italian faience plate, Castelli maiolica, Abruzzo, Italy. Dscn6112

by **NaomiM** July 3rd 2015, 6:22 pm

Looks Italian. Difficult to know the age as they've been making them for about 300 years, but the lack of a mark points to a late 19thC date. Seems a bit too well preserved for an earlier date.
I don't know who it's; seems to bel scene from Greek mythology maybe

by **hercules brabazon** July 3rd 2015, 11:57 pm

It might be St John the Evangelist, with his symbol, the eagle.

by **r-and-f** July 4th 2015, 8:48 pm

This is Castelli maiolica from Abruzzo, Italy. You can google the name to find lots of images of similar plates.

Afraid I don't know the subject of the picture but it's an "istoriato" piece which tells a religious or mythological story.

I suggest you take it to show to a reputable dealer or auctioneer to get it authenticated, because if it's the real thing from around the middle of the eighteenth century (which it might very well be), it's a very desirable object for maiolica collectors. Experts can often tell from the style of painting which workshop produced the piece.

As you might be able to tell, I'm dead jealous!

by **ClaraIreland2** July 5th 2015, 12:00 pm

Thank you to everyone who has responded with information about this plate. I am very grateful. I will be taking your advice and researching this further. Best wishes and many thanks to 20th Century Forum. Ann