Elegant 17th century ovoid shaped faience pot with two handles, decorated in cobalt-blue and manganese-purple pigments. On either side of the oblong body a female bust with contemporary headdress, known as ‘Bella’ and adopted from Italian Majolica, (cf.: C753, no. 82). alternates with flower and foliage motifs inspired by Chinese porcelain. We highlight that one of the figures features a necklace with a cross around the neck, which testifies to the great religiosity of the Portuguese people. On the neck, oval and circular beading framed by filleting and highlighted by a cobalt-blue band raising to the flaring lip. On the foot a band of ruyi heads with palms following the decorative motifs of Ming vases. The handles are filleted in blue and purple. Wares featuring female faces stand out from the 1500s Italian maiolica production, and are often identified as ‘Belle Done’, particularly those from the Castel Durante manufacture. It was current practice for gentlemen to bestow upon their beloved plates featuring their image, which were identified with their Christian name followed by ‘Bella’1, this likely being the decorative source for this container as well as the reason for the identical designation 2
1 Pais, Alexandre N., 2012, p. 397.
2 Idem, Ibidem, p. 346.