A large Castelli maiolica vase and cover, mid-18th century

perhaps painted by Liborio Grue, of flaring campana form, finely painted with a continuous scene depicting a Roman Emperor kneeling before a woman who points towards an image of the Madonna and Child appearing to his left, to his right Roman soldiers gather outside the colonnade, a small banner from the colonnade inscribed SPQR, the lower bulbous section of the body with two female masks supported by winged putti, the flaring foot and domed cover painted with winged putti amongst hanging garlands and flowers reserved on a pale yellow ground,

With L. Bernheimer, Munich;
The Arthur M. Sackler Collection, Christie's New York, 6th October 1993, lot 64;
Christie's London, 6th December 2004, lot 336 (paper label)

The knop of the cover has been repaired at the lower part of the terminal. There is an area of restoration to the flange of the cover. To the interior of the vase, a waster has been fired at the bottom of the well, underneath which is a firing crack.
"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."

It is possible that this vase depicts Emperor Constantine the Great, who was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. The female figure depicted could be his mother Helena, who historians have suggested may have exposed him to the Christian religion.

The painting on this vase has in the past been attributed to Liborio Grue. The style of painting can certainly be compared to examples signed by Grue. One vase of very similar form depicting Noah and signed L.G.P was sold at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 28th April 2006. A plate signed by Liborio Grue is published by Luciana Arbace, Maioliche di Castelli La Raccolta Acerbo, 1993, p. 78, no. 67. A highly related vase of similar form and decoration but painted with a scene of Neptune was sold at Christie's London, 29th June 1987, lot 64.

A saucer dated 1728 depicting an identical version of the Madonna and Child is in the V&A museum London, mus. no. C.135-1938, published by Bernard Rackham, catalogue of Italian Maiolica, 1940, Vol. I, p. 386, Vol. II, pl. 187, no. 1163.