Lodi manufactory, 18th century
Lodi (Lombardy)
Shaving basin
Polychrome majolica, h 8 × 30 × 22 cm
Elegant polychrome majolica shaving basin, characterized by a flowing shape with a wavy rim and a contoured profile.
The border is decorated with stylized floral motifs and vibrant color touches in shades of blue, yellow, green, and gray, while the center of the basin features a figurative scene, painted with a free and narrative brushstroke, depicting a character immersed in a natural landscape. This theme evokes the light and poetic taste of Lombard Rococo culture, representing a more refined element compared to the purely floral motifs that were more common.
The decorative ensemble, vibrant yet harmonious, gives the artifact a strong aesthetic presence, making it ideal both for collectors and as a distinctive decorative element.
The pictorial rendering, spontaneous and lively, along with the brilliant color palette, harks back to Lodi production of the full 18th century, with decoration executed in the "petit feu" (low-temperature) technique, which allowed for a richer and more refined palette.
Lodi's ceramic production represents one of the pinnacles of Lombard majolica. Its golden age was in the 18th century, thanks to important manufactories like Ferretti, Coppellotti, and Rossetti, which produced objects of high technical and decorative quality. Local manufactories distinguished themselves by their high technical quality and decorative richness, with production destined for a refined clientele that extended beyond the Lombard territory.
The shaving basin examined was an integral part of a male toiletry set and was used during shaving, often in conjunction with ewers or water containers. The characteristic front opening allowed for practical and functional use, making these objects both useful and representative. They were functional as well as representative objects, intended for domestic settings of a certain social standing.
The basin is made of majolica, a ceramic coated with an opaque white tin-based glaze, which allows for bright and detailed pictorial decorations.
In the 18th century, the "third fire" (low-temperature firing) technique became widespread, which allowed for the use of more delicate and varied colors, fixed at low temperatures.
An object of great fascination, ideal for collectors of Italian majolica or for those who wish to incorporate an authentic 18th-century element into a refined decor.
Good general condition, with signs of age consistent with the period (hairlines, craquelure, and slight traces of use), elements that attest to its authenticity and history.
📝All our works are accompanied by a detailed certificate of authenticity.
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