LARGE AMPHORA WITH EGG-SHAPED ELLY, HIGH BASE AND SERPENTIFORM HANDLES RESTING ON THE SHOULDERS OF TWO MASKS

Height, 54 cm.
Majolica.
Faenza, latter half of the XVIth century.
Provenance: acquisition (1961).
Condition: foot extensively repaired with antiquarian-type restoration, and cracks in the glaze of the left handle.
The term «antiquarian-type» restoration here is used to indicate a conservative kind of operation tending to completely repair the object, and replace any missing pieces, so that it is once again whole. The repairs are then covered over by a paint retouch job which must so resemble the decoration and colors of the original as to render the restored portion indistinguishable from the original.
Inv. no. 11194.

The entire surface is « istoriato » or covered with scenes showing Old Testament characters set in a background of great depth, with houses and trees.