Mid-20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher - 7"

Compact yet full of presence, this mid-century pitcher from San Marino, Italy, is hand-painted in bright colors on lightweight fine ceramic. Its softly lobed body lends rhythm and depth to the surface decoration, while the creamy white ground provides a luminous backdrop for stylized flowers and leaves in purple, cobalt blue, saffron yellow, orange, and green, each outlined with fine black brushwork. Ochre and chestnut strokes edge the rim and accent the arched strap handle, enriched with a crosshatched trellis pattern. The floral design flows gracefully over the melon-like curves, and subtle variations in the brushwork reveal the artisan’s hand, the glossy surface catching light with lively brilliance.

This piece embodies the distinctive style of mid-20th-century Italian ceramics from the Republic of San Marino, produced under the renowned Marmaca label. Founded in 1938 by Luigi Masi, Filippo Martelli and Wilfredo Carli, from whose surnames the name Mar-Ma-Ca derives, the workshop flourished after 1949, creating a wide range of decorative and art pottery until its closure in 1964. Marmaca is celebrated for its lively hand-painted designs, capturing the charm and craftsmanship of Italy’s postwar ceramic tradition.

This petite pitcher adds a soft burst of color to a kitchen shelf or dining room console, pairing beautifully with plain white china and natural wood. Perfect for serving water, wine, or juice, it also works as a charming small vase for fresh garden blooms on a table or sideboard.