Giuseppe Gricci (modeling attrib. to)
Italian, active 1743­1759
Ewer and basin
c. 1745
Capodimonte porcelain factory, Naples
Soft-paste porcelain with enameling and gilding
ewer ht.: 30.5 cm; basin: 16.5 x 38.7 x 34.3 cm
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Norman Chatain in memory of Professor Alfred Chatain, 1957.490

This ewer (pitcher) and basin are from a porcelain factory established in 1743 by the king of Naples (Italy) on the grounds of his palace. The shiny white surface and bright glazes of porcelain, a fine-grained clay fired at high heat, made porcelain objects highly prized.

Naples was an important seaport when the pitcher and basin were made. Their forms and decorations are shapes from the sea—shells, snails, and other marine animals. The inside of the bowl is lined with gold. Perhaps this reflects the Neapolitan saying that Naples’ beaches are lined with gold.