A very rare Vezzi plate, circa 1725

painted probably by Duramano with archers hunting swans beside  ruined building on the banks of a river, the rim with borders of cabochons and pearls in brown and gold, and half-ovals in brown, green and gold, the reverse incised with A and N

Christie's Geneva, 16 November 1981

L.Melegati, Giovanni Vezzi e le sue porcellane, Milan,1998, n.78. p.208.

minor firing imperfection otherwise fine condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Hitherto only one Vezzi plate has been recorded. A piece decorated in white and gold outlined in red and in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, is illustrated by Francesco Stazzi in  Porcellane della casa eccellentissima Vezzi 1720-27.

The same subject as on the present lot occurs on a teapot, formerly in the collection of Sir Fairfax Cartwright sold in our London rooms on 17 June 1968, lot 162.

At the time Stazzi published his book, the Cartwright teapot was as yet unknown, and there are minor differences in the treatment of the subject between the Cartwright teapot and the present plate; the arch on the left is reduced to a single pillar and the figure and landscape on the right is entirely absent. However, the individual characteristics in the painting make it clear that it was the same hand in both cases.

The dish is exceptional for the dimension and the condition and freshness of the lively and bright palette.

The decoration has been attributed in the documents of the Vezzi manufactory to the painter called Duramano whose name is mentioned.

The curious name of this artist could be a Venetian adaptation of the German surname of a painter active as hasmaler for the Meissen manufactory.

It is possible to select a group of Vezzi porcelain pieces which can be attributed to Duramano on the basis of a very similar polychromy, decorative motives on the borders and iconographic sources which refer to the fancy and fantasy world of the chioserie similar in style and taste to the lacquered decoration of the 18th century Venetian furniture.