Large Italian Maiolica Platter with Pastoral Scene Probably Deruta or Castelli, Italy, late 19th–early 20th century Glazed and painted earthenware 38 × 21 in.
This monumental oval maiolica platter depicts an idealized pastoral scene, richly hand-painted with figures tending to livestock in a verdant landscape. The border features vibrant Renaissance-inspired scrollwork, masks, and grotesques in cobalt blue, ochre, and green. The style and palette are characteristic of maiolica wares produced in Deruta or Castelli, famed centers of ceramic production in central Italy. Originally decorative, such pieces were often displayed rather than used, reflecting wealth and taste.
