Ewer

Meant for display, this ewer may have been made by a follower of Bernard Palissy (1509–1590), who was well known for his distinctive lead-glazed earthenware. The School of Fontainebleau refers to the style of the work of an international group of artists led by Italian painters such as Rosso Fiorentino (1494–1540) and Francesco Primaticcio (ca. 1504–1570) and goldsmiths such as Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571). Their work was an important source of inspiration for ceramists, and engravings played a key role in the transmission of motifs. The cylindrical body of this ewer is decorated with acanthus leaves and foliage. The handle has two scrolls and is decorated with foliage. The foot is set with rosettes.  

THE EWER, WHICH ONCE BELONGED TO THE ROTHSCHILD FAMILY, WAS CONFISCATED BY THE NAZIS DURING THE REGIME'S OCCUPATION OF FRANCE BEFORE BEING RETURNED TO THE ROTHSCHILDS AFTER THE WAR'S CONCLUSION.

Rothschild family (A. de R?); confiscated by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg during the Nazi occupation in France, ERR (n. R 4141); transferred to Jeu de Paume, Paris, ERR; transferred to Lager Peter (code name for Altaussee Salt Mines), Austria; transferred to Buxheim, Germany; repatriated in 1946; restituted to Maurice de Rothschild (1881–1957), 1946; purchased by Alexis Gregory, date unknown; Gift to The Frick Collection, 2021