1930s Laveno “Vecchio Milano” Plate by Guido Andloviz - 10¼"

This hand-painted earthenware plate from the Italian Ceramic Society of Laveno, dating to the 1930s, belongs to the renowned “Vecchio Milano” service designed under the artistic direction of Guido Andloviz. It presents a gently lobed, scalloped rim framing a lively polychrome scene of a fanciful figure in an ochre tunic and pale blue breeches walking between leafy trees, with a pink flower and fluttering insect above a grassy mound. The warm ivory ground and finely drawn outlines set off a crisp palette of green, orange, blue, brown, and red, with the vivid, almost electric green giving the composition a striking luminosity. The subject and shaped profile recall 18th-century tin-glazed wares, when European artisans reinterpreted Asian-inspired figures within pastoral settings. Light speckling in the glaze and minor surface wear are consistent with age.

Created under the direction of Guido Andloviz, one of Italy’s foremost ceramic designers and a leading figure at Laveno from the 1920s through the 1950s, the piece exemplifies his ability to merge modern clarity with historical revival motifs. When Andloviz became artistic director of the Società Ceramica Italiana di Laveno, he sought to move the factory beyond its late Liberty aesthetic and establish a modern, forward-looking identity. Drawing on traditional Italian forms and motifs, he reinterpreted them with fresh, contemporary creativity. Among his early successes was the “Vecchio Milano” table service, introduced in 1923 at the First International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Monza, where its refined neoclassical decor was widely acclaimed.

Pieces from the Laveno “Vecchio Milano” series capture the timeless blend of artistry and design that defines Italy’s interwar ceramics. Their lively hand-painted scenes, luminous glazes, and sculptural profiles make them highly collectible and visually striking. Beyond their historical significance and connection to Guido Andloviz, a pioneer of Italian modern ceramics, these plates lend themselves beautifully to contemporary interiors, whether displayed as tableware or mounted as part of a curated wall arrangement