This profusely ornamented albarello or pot à canon, a cylindrical jar with straight sides and a wide mouth, was once used as a container for mustard seeds or mustard in its semi-liquid paste, as its inscription (Mostarda) in elegant Gothic calligraphy testifies. What distinguishes this maiolica piece is its splendid and elaborate decoration. Its cobalt blue background is embellished by a light blue, green, yellow and white array of floral, foliage and fruit elements mingled with monochromatic stylised human and animal figures. The front is dominated by a proud horse with a raised leg while the back has an imaginary scene or istoriato consisting of a peasant or shepherd before a hilly landscape, all framed by a garland of leaves, flowers and seeds. . This sophisticated style of decoration undoubtedly links this vase to the workshop of Mastro Domenego de’ Betti, who was active in Venice in the 16th century.
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