Category: Italian

Lace designs from back when making lace was popular with aristocratic ladies who were always in need of new patterns. Taken from Isabella Parasole and Elisabetta Catanea’s 1616 work “Teatro delle nobili et virtuose donne, dove si reppresentano varii disegni di lavori novamente inventatidisegnati de Elisabetta Catanea.”

‘Lavori a punto reticella.” Number 7. Page 5. Collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cc0 License 0. via https://archive.org/details/Parasole1616TeatroMET/page/n5/mode/2up
‘Lavori a punto reticella.” Number 8. Page 5. Collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cc0 License 0. via https://archive.org/details/Parasole1616TeatroMET/page/n5/mode/2up
“Lavori de Maglia.” Number 44. Page 37. Collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cc0 License 0. via https://archive.org/details/Parasole1616TeatroMET/page/n37/mode/2up

Characters in “Mascarade à la Greque,” a parade of fantastical architectural outfits envisioned up by French artist Ennemond Alexandre Petitot who lived from 1727 to 1801 and was also Court Architect at Parma when he wasn’t dreaming things up. Etched and published by Benigno Bossi (1727–1792). Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. via publicdomainreview.com.

“Bergere a la Grecque.” ca. 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade
“Berger a la Grecque.” ca 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade
“La Mariée à la Grecque.” ca. 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade
“L’Epoux a la Grecque.” ca. 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade
“Sacerdotesse a la Grecque.” ca. 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade
“Jeune Moine à la Grecque.” ca. 1771. Collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the public domain due to age. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/greek-masquerade

Airbrushed pottery with fun decorations from the 1930s. Italian. Angelo Simonetto for the firm Galvani Pordenone. The Galvani porcelain factory was founded in 1811. In the late 1920s they began to produce more modernist pieces decorated with air brushing with the use of masks. These pieces are from that line.

Futuristic plate with a fish motif. 1930s. Italian. Ceramic. Angelo Simonetto for Galvani Pordenone. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2020. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/bowls-baskets/decorative-bowls/plate-ceramic-galvani-pordenone-angelo-simonetto-futuristic-design-1930s-fish/id-f_21082062/
Cylindrical ceramic vase with polychrome decoration of boats and fish on a white background. ca. 1940. Italian. Ceramic. Angelo Simonetto for Galvani Pordenone. Maker’s marks: Signed “Galvani” on the body and rooster mark for Galvani. Image © La Gazette Drouot 2019. Fair use license. via https://www.gazette-drouot.com/lots/3075843
Coffee service. 1930. Italian. Ceramic. Angelo Simonetto for Galvani Pordenone. Image © 1995-2020 eBay Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.ebay.it/itm/SERVIZIO-CAFFE-CERAMICA-Galvani-Pordenone-DESIGN-ANGELO-SIMONETTO-1930-VINTAGE-/174376501617
Plate with a boat motif and a blue border. 20th c. Italian. Ceramic. Maker’s marks: Signed “Galvani” with a rooster mark for Galvani on the underside.. Image  © 1995-2020 eBay Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.ebay.it/itm/PIATTO-ceramica-GALVANI-PORDENONE-FUTURISTA-AEROGRAFO-sc-ROMETTI-Simonetto-PUCCI-/233613403773

Oil lamps done in art glass. All with interesting designs.

Venetian “Fume” tea color four spot art glass oil lamp fluted flower vase. Hand blown with a ruffled rim and rigaree decoration on the neck. Each spot has a shell decoration at the bottom. ca. 1870-1900. Italian. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2020. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/vases-vessels/vases/venetian-fume-tea-color-four-spout-italian-art-glass-oil-lamp-flower-vase/id-f_21321702/
Oil lamp, probably made in Bohemia for the English market. Late 19th c. Image © 2007–2020 Auctions Online USA Ltd. Fair use license. via https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/275402-antique-bohemian-art-glass-oil-lamp-prod?in=activity
Acid etched glass oil lamp with a cameo glass egg shaped reservoir in green, acid etched with a fern leaf textured ground. Glass probably by Baccarat or Saint Louis as similar acid etched and cameo glass with the fern leaf pattern are shown in the 1907-1908 Baccarat catalogue. Cast bronze stand in the form of a chestnut branch with a square red marble base. ca. 1907. Art Nouveau. French. Maker’s marks: Glass marked “Depose.” Burner marked for the German manufacturer Kosmos. Art glass with marble and bronze. Image © 1995-2020 eBay Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-French-Acid-Etched-Glass-Oil-Lamp-Art-Nouveau-Bronze-Marble-Stand-/303706243814
Art glass oil lamps in iridescent glass embellished with a pulled feather design and featuring removable glass encased wicks. Made in 1990. American. Stuart Abelman, maker. abelmanartglass.com. Engraved maker’s marks on the underside. Vases © Stuart Abelman. Image © 2020 EBTH, Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.ebth.com/items/9047671-stuart-abelman-art-glass-oil-lamps

Posters from the golden age of passenger steamships. From the United States National Archives.

“Cunard Line: “Carpathia,” Slavonia”, Pannoma”, and the “Ultonia.” New York, Mediterranean, Adriatic.” 1906-1913. National Archives Identifier: 80625782  Local Identifier: 85-P-1 . Collections of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Image © United States National Archives. Fair use license. via https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=:&f.parentNaId=75509884&f.level=item&sort=naIdSort%20asc
“Norddeutscher Lloyd, di Brema, Vapori celerissimi.” ca. 1906-1913. National Archives Identifier: 102251868  Local Identifier: 85-P-5 .Collections of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Image © United States National Archives. Fair use license. via https://catalog.archives.gov/id/102251868
“Lloyd Italiano società di navigazione. sede principale in Genova and sede principale in Napoli.” Depiction of a passenger ship at sea. 1906-1913. National Archives Identifier: 102252004  Local Identifier: 85-P-12. Collections of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Image © United States National Archives. Fair use license. via https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=:&f.parentNaId=75509884&f.level=item&sort=naIdSort%20asc
“La Veloce: navigazione Italiana a Vapore, Vapori celeri postali per le Americhe.” ca. 1906. National Archives Identifier: 102251899  Local Identifier: 85-P-10. Collections of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Image © United States National Archives. Fair use license. via https://catalog.archives.gov/id/102251899

Go on a cruise even if it is just in your dreams. Posters for Italian cruise lines from a while back, mostly from the 1930s. All of these by Giovanni Patrone who lived from 1904 to 1963 and was a painter and poster designer in Genoa.

Poster for the Nord-Amerika Express/Italia Cosulich. 1934. Italian. Poster mounted on paper. Image © Swann Galleries New York. Fair use license. via https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/Lots/auction-lot/Giovanni-Patrone-(1904-1963)–NORD–AMERIKA-EXPRESS–ITALIA-?saleno=2547&lotNo=13&refNo=774046
Andrea Doria. December, 1952. 1952. Poster. Image © italianways.com . Fair use license. via https://www.italianways.com/giovanni-patrones-italian-ocean-liners/
Saturna-Vulcania, the tourist class. Cosulich Line. Undated. Poster. Image © italianways.com . Fair use license. via https://www.italianways.com/giovanni-patrones-italian-ocean-liners/

Beautiful plates from a deluxe illustrated atlas published in 1939 as an advance prospectus showcasing the architecture of the Esposizione Universale di Roma, the world’s fair planned for 1942. Printed in 1939 by the Milan firm Arti Grafiche Pizzi & Pizo. Images taken from the website of Martayan Lan Rare Books, New York.

Image 1 of 8. Image © 2020 Martayan Lan.  Fair use license. via https://www.martayanlan.com/pages/books/5847/vittorio-cini/esposizione-universale-di-roma-mcmxlii-xx-e-f
Image 2 of 8. Image © 2020 Martayan Lan.  Fair use license. via https://www.martayanlan.com/pages/books/5847/vittorio-cini/esposizione-universale-di-roma-mcmxlii-xx-e-f
Image 5 0f 8. Image © 2020 Martayan Lan.  Fair use license. via https://www.martayanlan.com/pages/books/5847/vittorio-cini/esposizione-universale-di-roma-mcmxlii-xx-e-f

Futurist art by Italian artist Alessandro Bruschetti (1910-1980) who was the second most important Futurist painter from the Umbria region of Italy.

“Paesaggio Umbro.” Undated. Italian. Oil and board. Signed and dated signed and dated “A Bruschetti. XIII” on the lower right.  © Estate of the artist. Image  © Bonhams 2001-2020. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25980/lot/22/?category=list&length=12&page=2
“Aereoveduta del fiume.” 1932. Italian. Oil on canvas. © Estate of the artist. Image ©2020 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. Fair use license. via http://www.artnet.com/artists/alessandro-bruschetti/aereoveduta-del-fiume-YsQDmREy7sMpMghpB-BhFQ2
“Virate sul lago.” 1932. Oil on canvas. © Estate of the artist. Image ©2020 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. Fair use license. via http://www.artnet.com/artists/alessandro-bruschetti/virate-sul-lago-O-LjYP58nvltzx2ecG9SxA2

Imagery of the ruins of the Nymphaeum of Alexander Severus (‘Temple of Minerva Medica’). So very worth a visit for artists making that all important trip to Italy back around 1800.

“Rome: The Ruined Nymphaeum of Alexander Severus (‘Temple of Minerva Medica’)” ca. 1796. British. Watercolor on paper. Collaboration of Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) who did the pencil work which was presumably copied from a sketch by John Robert Cozens (1752–1797). Watercolor by Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851). Inscribed by Thomas Girtin in pencil “Minerva Medica.” Not stamped. Collections of the Tate Galleries. Cc0 License 3.0. via https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-girtin-rome-the-ruined-nymphaeum-of-alexander-severus-temple-of-minerva-medica-d36565

“Temple of Minerva Medica.” 1826. French. Oil on canvas. Camille Corot, artist (1796-1875). Collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers, Angers. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.wikiart.org/en/camille-corot/temple-of-minerva-medica-1826
 “Imaginary View of the Temple of Minerva Medica.” 1660-1681. Oil on canvas. Attributed to Niccolò Codazzi (1642-1693) and Jacob De Heusch (1656 (baptized) -1701). Collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. In the public domain in the United States because the artists have been dead over 100 years. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Niccol%C3%B2_Codazzi_and_Jacob_de_Heusch_-_Imaginary_View_of_the_Temple_of_Minerva_Medica.jpg
“Aqueduct V, Castellum Aquae, rebuilt by Alexander Severus, A.D. 225, called also a Nymphaeum, where the trophies of Marius were hung.” 1857-1870. Albumen print on card. Carlo Baldassarre Simelli (fl. 1857-1870)) photographer. Title taken from  “Historical photographs : a catalogue of three thousand three hundred photographs of antiquities in Rome and Italy, prepared under the direction of John Henry Parker.” which was published in London in 1879. Image © 2009-2020 British School at Rome. Fair use license. via http://www.bsrdigitalcollections.it/details.aspx?ID=0016569

Hand-fans painted with Mount Vesuvius mostly in eruption, a little souvenir something to take home to your girl when you made a Grand Tour in Europe at mid century, the 19th century, that is.

Hand-fan painted with a depiction of an erupting Mount Vesuvius and the harbor at Naples. ca. 1790. Italian. Silk or possibly chicken skin folded leaf with gilded black lacquer wood sticks. Maker not known. Image © The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota. Fair use license. via https://emuseum.ringling.org/emuseum/objects/13782/fan?ctx=29b65bbe-17ca-47d8-b762-6c693263b1c5&idx=98
Fan depicting the the eruption of Mount Vesuvius over Pompeii in AD 79. ca. 1825. French. Hand-painted parchment, ivory, gilt brass and rhinestones. Maker not known. Part of the exhibit “A Graceful Gift: Fans from the Mona Lee Nesseth Collection” held at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum and Galleries, Los Angeles. Image © Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum and Galleries. Fair use license. via https://blog.fidmmuseum.org/museum/2016/06/women-are-armed-with-fans.html
Hand fan with a depiction of Mount Vesuvius and the harbor at Naples. Chicken skin leaf with twelve tortoiseshell sticks and guards inlaid with red gold foliage on the sticks and foliage and urns on the guards. Reverse painted in the style of Greek vases with Bacchus on a leopard in the center surrounded by bacchantes and maenads in terracotta orange against black. Terracotta orange, black and cream border, inscribed “Figure estratte da un Vaso Etrusco”, ca. 1790-1800. Italian. Francesco Petilli, maker. Image © Glasgow Museums. Fair use license. via http://collections.glasgowmuseums.com/mwebcgi/mweb?request=record;id=196043;type=101