Italian Cobalt Blue Majolica Vase with Gold Pheasants & Peonies, c.1950

Somewhere in central Italy around 1950, a ceramicist looked at a perfectly nice vase and thought: not enough pheasants. The result is this absolute unit of a cobalt blue octagonal vase, which has the visual confidence of someone who has never once doubted their outfit choices.

The body is a deep, almost-black cobalt blue luster glaze that shifts between midnight blue, teal, and aubergine depending on the light — the kind of colour that makes everything around it look slightly underdressed. Against this backdrop, two gold-accented pheasants strut through a composition of hand-painted peonies in pink, white, and green, rendered with the kind of detail that makes you wonder how anyone had the patience. The larger bird faces right with its long tail sweeping downward; the smaller one sits below, surrounded by blooms. Gold leaf accents catch the light on the feathers and flower centres.

The octagonal foot reveals a single peony spray on the cobalt base — a little secret that only reveals itself when you pick it up. The gold rim at the opening is intact and bright. No backstamp, which is typical of Italian export majolica of this period.

• Italian majolica export vase, octagonal form, c.1950
• Deep cobalt blue luster glaze with teal and aubergine shifts
• Hand-painted gold pheasants with pink and white peony composition
• Gold leaf accents on feathers and flower centres
• Peony motif on octagonal base — a hidden detail worth discovering
• Gold rim at opening, intact and bright
• No backstamp — typical of Italian export ware of this period
• Excellent condition — no chips, no cracks
• 16 × 7 cm, 279 g
• Italy, c.1950

WARNING: This vase will immediately make your other decorative objects feel insecure. Maison de L'oro recommends placing it somewhere prominent and letting it sort out its own social dynamics.