Vintage Italian Majolica Faenza Garofano Scalloped Plates - Pair
Vintage Italian Majolica Faenza Garofano Scalloped Plates - Pair
Vintage Italian Majolica Faenza Garofano Scalloped Plates - Pair
This vibrant pair of 8-inch plates features the celebrated "Garofano" (Carnation) motif, a design that has been the signature of the historic pottery center of Faenza, Italy, since the 18th century. These pieces represent the most desirable colorway of the pattern, utilizing a high-contrast palette of deep cobalt blue, warm iron-red, and yellow enamels set against a traditional tin-glazed white ground.
Artistic Style & Symbolism:
Chinoiserie Influence: The "Garofano" style was born from the 18th-century European fascination with Orientalism. This is evident in the stylized "rock" formations, architectural garden fences, and delicate floral sprays that mimic antique Chinese export porcelain.
The Carnation Motif: A central, long-stemmed carnation—traditionally a symbol of love and fidelity in Italian culture—rises from a blue garden base.
Foliate Form: Each plate is designed with a graceful scalloped or foliate rim, further accented by a geometric diaper-patterned border in alternating colors.
Dimensions
Diameter: 8 inches
Condition
Very Good Vintage Condition. The tin-glaze maintains a high-gloss brilliance, and the hand-applied enamels remain exceptionally vibrant and crisp. As authentic hand-crafted majolica, there are no major chips, cracks, or professional restorations. Minor, age-appropriate shelf wear is present on the unglazed
Provenance
Artist Signed: Each plate is hand-painted and bears the artist's initials "AMM" on the reverse, signifying it was decorated in a professional Faenza bottega (workshop).
Manufacturer: Produced for the prestigious Tastesetter by Sigma line, a high-end mid-century collaboration that brought traditional Italian village artistry to the international luxury market.
A masterpiece of Italian ceramic history, this pair of Faenza Garofano plates brings a burst of Mediterranean warmth and 18th-century soul to the modern home. Their bold color profile and timeless Chinoiserie appeal make them an ideal choice for a Grandmillennial wall display or a sophisticated, eclectic tablescape.
