Italian, Florence, Catagalli factory, circa 1900

spirally moulded and with a central raised boss, boldly lustred in a strong ruby tone with a small armorial badge encircled by borders of cells, flowers and hooked ornament, the spiral lobes picked out in blue, the reverse lustred with broad bands of palm fronds, cockerel mark in blue

Brilliant deep lustre. There are small flakes of glaze to rim and minor chips to reverse around stilt marks. Generally very good.
"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."

See footnote to lot 164, a closely similar dish in the Victoria and Albert Museum, attributed to Valencia (probably Manises), circa 1500, with the armorial badge as the only significant difference, is illustrated by A. Ray, Spanish Pottery 1248-1898, fig. 211.

The central armorial itself seems to be fanciful, and is found on other Cantagalli pieces in Hispano-Moresque style; see G. Conti's catalogue for the Mostra della Maiolica Toscana, Monte San Savino, 1974.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Fresobaldi Malenchini and O. Rucellai, The Revival of Italian Maiolca: Ginori and Cantagalli, exh. cat., Stibbert Museum, Florence, 2011, p. 212, fig. 32