Decorative plate with peacock and lidded vessel
by CHINI, Galileo, Earthenware
The plate and vessel were produced in Mugello by Chini & Co. Fornaci di San Lorenzo.
The ceramic tradition of Mugello has deep roots. The first records date back to the Renaissance when in the first years of the 16th century Pierfrancesco de’ Medici had a ceramic factory built in Barberino near the Villa of Cafaggiolo. The ceramic factory remained active until 1599, but this tradition of ceramics and pottery is still alive in Mugello today.
In the first few years of the 20th century, the Chini brothers founded the Fornaci San Lorenzo in Borgo San Lorenzo. They were protagonists in the production of ceramics and Art Nouveau windows, and Galileo Chini became one of the leading figures of the Italian Art Nouveau.