A Cozzi porcelain ballooning subject teabowl and saucer, circa 1784-90

Christie’s, London, 29 November 2011, lot 79.

In 1783 in France, two brothers, Joseph-Michel (1740-1810) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (1745-1799), successfully launched the world's first hot-air balloon, designed by Joseph-Michel. The first manned ascent likely took place on the 15th October that year, carrying Jacques-Étienne. The invention of the first human-piloted flight quickly sparked interest throughout Europe and on 15th April 1784, a first ascent of a balloon in Venice took place, commissioned by Francesco Pesaro, the Caviliere Procurator of San Marco. The occasion was later painted by Francesco Guardi. The ascent occasioned much excitement in Venice and was recorded in commemorative poetry; a medal was struck for the event and the scene was commemorated in porcelain produced at Cozzi.

Three further teabowls and saucers painted with hot air balloons were included in the 1936 exhibition curated by Nino Barbantini held at the Ca’ Rezzonico in Venice dedicated to the porcelain of Venice and Nove, illustrated in N. Barbantini, Le Porcellane di Venezia e delle Nove, Venice, 1936, pl. LXIX, fig. 204; G. Morazzoni, Le Porcellane Italiane, vol. I, Milan, 1960, pl. 47b. Two further examples are illustrated in F. Stazzi, Le porcellane veneziane di Geminiano e Vincenzo Cozzi, Venice 1981, p. 215, pl. XLIX. A further teabowl and saucer, together with a sugar bowl from a private collection are illustrated in La Porcellana di Venezia nel '700, Vezzi, Hewelcke, Cozzi, exhibition catalogue, Venice, 1997, p. 73, n. 98.