Giovanni della Robbia (1469– circa 1530) Italian, Florence, circa 1510-1520

Overall the condition of the vase is good with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age with particular dust to the vase. There are chips to the glaze at the edges, most of the tips of the foliage and the high points of the fruits. The foliage and the vase are separate parts. There are numerous remnants of labels to the underside and the inside of the rim of the vase. The underside of the foliage has been filled with a composite. The vase and the lid both date to the first half of the 16th century but may be a marriage.
"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."

This vase is one of a type produced by Giovanni della Robbia between 1510 and 1520. The body of the vase is near-identical in form to another example by Giovanni in the Musée National de la Ceramique, Sèvres (inv. no. 9121). As in the present terracotta, the handles are formed of two diving dolphins, whilst the body is articulated by a central frieze of interlacing motifs, dividing a lower band of gadroons and an upper section of scale motifs; the foot is decorated with a rope-work border. According to Gentilini (op. cit., p. 275), such vases were first conceived by Andrea della Robbia, before being developed by his son Giovanni, who is famed for his exuberant polychromed glazes. The classicising form of the urn, together with the rich blues, greens and yellows, would have appealed to private patrons wishing to create luxuriant interiors. The fruits and flowers interspersed with insects and a lizard would have provided an amusing Humanist talking point centered on the idea of naturalia. Other vases of this type are in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 244-1894) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. no. 14.64.1).

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Gentilini, I Della Robbia e l'arte nuova della scultura invetriata, exh. cat. Basilica di Sant'Alessandro, Fiesole, Prato, 1998, pp. 275-277, no. III.18