Antique maiolica: reading an istoriato dish before a sale

A dish can tell a complicated story. The Metropolitan Museum holds an example dated 1528 from Giorgio Andreoli’s workshop depicting the Supper at the House of Simon the Pharisee. Its central scene and decorated rim ask for different kinds of attention: one follows narrative, the other the rhythm of ornament.

The reverse belongs to the examination

Looking only at the painted surface of maiolica leaves part of the evidence unseen. Foot, base, inscriptions and traces of earlier mounts can contribute to interpretation. Not every sign is a factory mark, and not every number records a date.

For an initial assessment, photograph front, reverse, profile and edges. Place the dish on a stable support rather than holding it in one hand while photographing with the other. Record cracks, losses or old adhesive repairs. A clearly lit photograph is more useful than a glossy image that conceals the surface.

Model, execution and condition

A Renaissance composition can be repeated in later periods. Subject alone does not date an object. Even a signature needs to be considered alongside body, glaze, shape and painting. The initial aim is to describe what is present while distinguishing a documented attribution from a hypothesis.

Owners considering the sale of antique ceramics in Ticino, Como or Lombardy can begin by gathering old photographs, receipts and information about previous owners. Avoid adding glue or retouching before the discussion. Assessment also considers the integrity of the decoration and past interventions, rather than only the name of a production centre. The museum dish illustrated here is a cultural reference, not a promise about the value of a private collection or a substitute for examining it.

Presenting a work to Colucci Fine Art

For an initial discussion, send clear front and back photographs, dimensions and available documents through our valuation enquiry. To discuss a possible consignment, see selling with CFA. Our premises are in Balerna, Ticino; an initial review of the documentation precedes any decision about a sale.

Sources and further reading

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: bottega di Giorgio Andreoli, piatto istoriato, 1528

Image: Bottega di Giorgio Andreoli, Cena in casa di Simone il fariseo, piatto, 1528, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975.1.1103. Maestro Giorgio Andreoli · Public Domain / CC0 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photograph reproduced with automatic web resizing.

CFA Editorial