Cambi Casa d'Aste: A Journey Through Centuries of European and Persian Ceramics

Cambi Casa d’Aste invites you on a journey through centuries with the 'Maiolica, Porcelain, and a Venetian Glass' auction, scheduled for April 15th in Genoa. The event, preceded by a public exhibition at Castello Mackenzie from April 10th to 14th, offers an opportunity to explore the history of decorative arts through a selection of centuries-old objects. The catalog features precious Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th-century majolica from leading Italian manufacturers such as Faenza, Urbino, Deruta, Castelli, and Savona, alongside refined European porcelains, from Meissen to Sèvres, Doccia to Vienna, illustrating the evolution of taste between the 18th and 20th centuries.

Among the highlights is a Montelupo cup from the mid-16th century, adorned with a Crucifixion scene and 'a quartieri' motifs featuring stylized oak branches. Its collectible value is enhanced by its provenance from the prestigious collection of Eugen Miller von Aichholz (1835-1919), an Austrian patron known for his collection of Italian Renaissance art. This piece is estimated at €8,000-15,000.

Another notable work is a compendiary cup from Faenza, dating to the last quarter of the 16th century, featuring a female figure holding a basket of fruit, possibly an allegory of abundance or Pomona. The catalog also boasts a rare colorless Venetian glass cup, dating between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Adorned with polychrome enamels depicting mythological figures in a stylized river landscape, this Murano cup illustrates a fascinating dialogue between late-Gothic style and Renaissance influences.

The 18th century is splendidly represented by a rare Faenza vegetable dish, painted by Filippo Comerio for the Fabbrica Ferniani. This piece, once part of the prestigious Crespi collection in Milan, is estimated between €3,000 and €5,000. Comerio demonstrates his unmistakable Arcadian style in the small scenes on the lid, characterized by a fresh touch and chromatic sobriety. Particularly original is the volute handle, reminiscent of a vertical wave, enriched with naturalistic crimson roses, a distinctive detail of the manufacturer's production.

The porcelain section includes a focus on 18th and 19th-century Russian production, featuring a plate made for Tsar Paul I, estimated at €800-1,200, decorated with his imperial monogram and oak leaves. The catalog also opens with exquisite examples of Persian cups, bowls, and plates, and epigraphic tiles, including a splendid Iranian tile from the 13th-14th century, estimated at €500-700. The event in Genoa promises a unique exploration.