Antique Lithograph of Italian Faience Dish, Grotesque Style, Delange, 1869
Large-format antique lithograph of an Italian faience dish (plat) richly decorated in the grotesque style. This masterpiece, from the collection of Mr. de Basilewski in Paris, demonstrates the Renaissance fascination with fantastical ornament. The wide rim is filled with delicate arabesques, hybrid creatures, mythological figures, masks, and whimsical scrollwork, all arranged in a symmetrical and animated pattern. At the center, framed within elaborate cartouches, is a mythological or allegorical figural scene painted with vivid narrative detail against a landscape backdrop.
This lithograph originates from Henri Delange’s celebrated Recueil de Faïences Italiennes des XVe, XVIe et XVIIe Siècles (Paris, 1869), a monumental folio dedicated to the finest examples of Renaissance Italian maiolica and tin-glazed pottery. The grotesque decorative scheme, inspired by ancient Roman wall paintings discovered in the Domus Aurea, was embraced by Italian ceramicists in Urbino, Faenza, and other centers of maiolica production. These ornamental designs elevated functional objects into works of art, treasured both at princely banquets and in collectors’ cabinets.
Condition: Very good, with mild age-related toning and scattered foxing mainly in the margins. Plate mark visible. Strong original colors remain fresh and vibrant. Please review the image carefully.
Framing tips: The circular design of this print is best highlighted with a broad ivory or cream mount. A gilt frame will echo the golden tones of the ornament, while a dark wood frame will create contrast and enhance the deep hues. For a refined presentation, consider double matting with a fine green or cobalt inner line to draw out the Renaissance palette.
Technique: Color lithograph Maker: Henri Delange, Paris, 1869
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