Rubboli Centerpieces

This early 20th century piece of Italian lustreware was made by the renowned Rubboli family pottery in the Umbrian town of Gualdo Tadino, Italy. Italian lustreware Majolica production traces its origins to the Renaissance. The art was revived in Gualdo Tadino during the last quarter of the 19th century, largely due to the efforts of ceramist Paolo Rubboli. Rubboli established his pottery in the region around 1870, and became known for the high quality of his distinctive cobalt, red and gold Neo-Renaissance lustreware. Rubboli's wife Daria and sons Lorenzo and Alberto continued Paolo's efforts after his death in 1890, and joined the newly formed consortium Societa Ceramica Umbria in 1920. Rubboli pieces dating to the period are marked with a blue underglaze "SCU" in a triangle mark along with a conjoined "PR" monogram in homage to Paolo's work. This large ceramic Neo-Renaissance Rubboli double handled compote is finished in cobalt, red and gold lustre. The piece consists of a round bowl at the top with elongated applied handles at either side, all of which rest upon a pedestal base. The bowl features two bas-relief winged mask heads on the exterior which have been depicted with open mouths sprouting handles in the form of serpent-like forked tongues. The exterior is also painted with pairs of imposing gryphons, each of which flank a large urn. The interior of the bowl is also heavily decorated and bears a fantastical winged lion set at the center of a series of scrolling acanthus leaves and urns, best seen in image 8. The remainder of the piece is finished with foliate and geometric motifs. It is of note that a similar piece was included in the traveling exhibit of important Majolica and lusterware entitled 'The Rubboli Collection - Italian lustre pottery in Gualdo Tadino' held in the Chiesa Monumentale di San Francesco between July 17 – October 3, 2010. The compote is in excellent original condition with no restorations or repairs. There are some glaze skips present on the piece as well as minor chips at the base of the pedestal foot which do not detract from the appearance of the compote and are mentioned for accuracy. The underside of the piece bears the blue underglaze Rubboli family Società Ceramica Umbra mark cited above consisting of the letters “SCU” within a triangle along with the entwined Paolo Rubboli 'PR' monogram, which was used from 1920 to 1931. The 3lb 5oz compote stands...