An attractive early to mid-20th century Italian tin-glazed maiolica cream or milk jug, probably Deruta or Umbrian, decorated in the traditional Raffaellesco manner.

The jug is hand-painted with a colourful mythic dragon or griffin-like creature among scrolling foliate ornament and cartouche-style decoration, executed in a strong Mediterranean palette of mustard yellow, bottle green, cobalt blue, iron red, manganese and black. The lively winged creature closely follows the well-known Raffaellesco decorative tradition associated with Deruta maiolica.

The form is a small baluster jug with a pinched pouring lip and applied strap handle. The surface has a warm ivory tin-glazed ground with age-related crazing throughout, giving the piece an appealing aged decorative character.

The underside bears a hand-written number, “1055”, together with a small decorator’s glyph or workshop mark. No printed factory mark is present, so the piece is catalogued conservatively as Italian Deruta / Umbrian style rather than attributed to a specific maker.

Condition

Good antique / vintage condition overall.

There is general crazing throughout the glaze, consistent with age and tin-glazed faience / maiolica. There are small rim nibbles and glaze losses around the yellow lip and spout area, with further minor surface wear and handling marks, particularly around the rim, foot and handle junctions. No major cracks or repairs observed.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Measurements & Weight

Height: 9 cm
Width: 9 cm including handle
Weight: 177 g

Collector Appeal

A charming small example of Italian decorative maiolica in the Deruta / Raffaellesco taste, ideal for display in a cabinet, on a dresser, or as part of a collection of European faience, maiolica or Mediterranean ceramics. The hand-painted dragon decoration, strong traditional palette and aged tin-glaze surface give it considerably more character than later mass-produced tourist wares.