LARGE POLYCHROME FAIENCE BOTTLE, POMPEI WORKSHOP, CASTELLI, MID-15TH CENTURY decorated with a bust of a bella against an architectural background in reserve, inscribed with contents; some wear and minor lack of enamel, some restoration, probably originally with handles or sockets H. cm 40.5, diam. cm 17 A LARGE CAST MAIOLICA BOTTLE, HALF 16TH CENTURY; A RESTORATION, PROBABLY ORIGINALLY WITH HANDLES Our maiolica, probably known since 1857 (J. Marryat, A History of Pottery and Porcelain, Mediaeval and Modern. London 1857, p. 26), should be included in the early activity of the Pompeii family: it is documented as complete with handles, which have, however, disappeared in the most recent publication (T. Wilson, Italian Maiolica of the Renaissance, Milan 1996, pp. 482-483 no. 188): we refer to Timothy Wilson for the provenance, bibliography and critical history of the work.