Reframed :
Decorative Vase with Gilded Loop Rim and Underwater Motif.
Possibly Italy, ca. 1950
This striking, round ceramic vase with hand-painted underwater décor was likely produced in Italy around the mid-20th century. The base is inscribed with “P.857/20 Italy”, a mark that most likely refers to a catalog or model number. During the 1950s, Italian ceramics intended for export were often hand-marked with such codes and the country of origin, partly due to the strong post-war demand from countries like the United States. The “P.” may stand for pezzo (piece) or denote a studio code.
The decorative style is typical of the 1950s: a soft, pastel-toned palette (mint green, pink, pale blue) sets the scene for a lively depiction of fish, seaweed, and a jellyfish, painted with delicate brushstrokes and a sense of movement. This nature-inspired theme, together with the light craquelure in the glaze and the glossy finish, reflects the aesthetic of Italian post-war design.
What truly sets this piece apart is the gilded loop-shaped rim surrounding the opening — a playful and sculptural detail reminiscent of the free-form language of Mid-Century Modern design. This expressive feature, combined with the compact round shape and narrow mouth, is reminiscent of works by ateliers such as Bitossi or Fantoni, known for blending craftsmanship with innovation.
Measuring approx. 20 cm in height, 22 cm in diameter, and weighing a substantial 1247 grams, this vase is not only functional but also a refined example of post-war Italian studio ceramics — where artistry and craftsmanship meet.
Description & Function
This sculptural, round-bellied ceramic vase features a beautifully hand-painted underwater scene with fish, seaweed, and a jellyfish drifting across an iridescent pastel background. The piece is crowned with a gilded loop-shaped rim – a distinctive mid-century modern flourish that adds elegance and movement. Both object and artwork, this vase serves as a decorative centerpiece in eclectic, modernist, or classic interiors.
Though delicate in appearance, the vase is remarkably heavy for its size (approx. 1247 grams), indicating solid craftsmanship and high-quality ceramic material. It can stand alone or hold a few dry stems or sculptural twigs – best suited as a poetic, contemplative object.
Origin & Production
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Marked: “P.857/20 Italy” on the base
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Origin: Possibly Tuscany or Northern Italy
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Estimated production period: ca. 1950s
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Likely a studio piece created for export after WWII, in line with mid-century Italian decorative arts
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Influences: Bitossi, Fantoni, and other artistic ceramic ateliers of the post-war era
Material & Finish
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Hand-painted, glazed ceramic with pastel hues and gilded ornamentation
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Light natural craquelure in glaze, typical for ceramics of this age
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Thick glaze finish, soft shine
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Base shows handmade character; brush signature suggests small studio origin
Dimensions & Weight
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Height: approx. 20 cm
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Diameter (widest): approx. 22 cm
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Weight: approx. 1247 grams
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Opening: small, ideal for minimal stems
Condition
Very good vintage condition. No cracks or structural damage.
Minor wear on the base from age and standing use. Gilded rim intact.
A few glaze irregularities and tiny bubbles consistent with studio production.
Elegant natural craquelure adds character and authenticity.
Shipping Info
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Ships from Italy
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Professionally packed in double cardboard with bubble wrap
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Shipping to NL from €13 via Poste Italiane (with tracking)
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Express shipping via DHL or UPS available on request
Why This Object Belongs in a Wunderkammer
1. A Rare Aesthetic Duality
This vase bridges two worlds: the fragile, almost dreamlike imagery of an underwater scene and the expressive gesture of a modernist gilded rim. The result is an object that feels both soft and bold — like a relic that might once have belonged in a 17th-century cabinet of curiosities, reborn through the sensibility of the 1950s.
2. Craft + Whimsy = Wunder-worthy
Hand-painted fish, jellyfish, and sea stars drift across a surface that feels at once realistic and surreal. The fine craftsmanship, combined with a looped, almost cartoon-like golden flourish, holds the viewer’s attention — and poses quiet questions. Precisely what any true Wunderkammer object should do.
3. A Time Capsule of a Changing World
The piece radiates the post-war optimism of 1950s Italy. In a period when design began to reclaim emotional and decorative value, its maker chose not functionalist lines but nature, fantasy, and color. This vase tells a quiet story of humanity’s return to beauty after rupture — a narrative that fits seamlessly into any collection of meaningful objects.
A Sculptural Object Beyond Function
This is not merely a vessel. It’s a sculptural statement. Its weight, form, and surface presence make it an anchor point in any space. It transcends decoration — it is the decoration. A Wunderkammer thrives on pieces that exist outside category and claim the right to stand alone.
A Painted World of Its Own
An object that invites wonder — like a fishbowl, but rendered in brushstrokes.
The round form recalls a globe, though submerged: a self-contained universe where fish, jellyfish, and aquatic flora float in slow suspension. It is, at a glance, a miniature cosmos captured in glaze.
This vase isn’t about utility — it’s about reverie. And that’s precisely what makes it so essential in a Wunderkammer.
#StudioCeramic #PostwarItalianDesign #WunderkammerObject #MidCenturyArtifact
#ItalianModernism #SculpturalVase #DesignCollectors #AppartamentoVibe
#CuratedObjects #ModernCuriosities #SeaInspiredDesign #CeramicArtCollectors
This reframed object is part of an ongoing series in which historical objects are recontextualized through the vision of female artists — past and present — who saw differently, felt more deeply, and created space for transformation.
Read more about Leonor Fini, a woman who turned herself into a work of art and approached the world as a dreamscape filled with power, mystery, and autonomy.
