Castel Durante ware

Castel Durante ware refers to a style of Italian maiolica pottery originating in the 16th century, particularly from the towns of Castel Durante and Urbino. This ware is characterized by the istoriato style of decoration, which features detailed paintings comparable to Renaissance easel paintings.1

These paintings often depict biblical, historical, or mythological scenes with a high degree of realism, including the use of perspective. The subjects were frequently inspired by the works of artists like Raphael and Albrecht Dürer. While sometimes the painting covered the entire surface of the piece, it often occupied the center, surrounded by a decorative border. Nicola Pellipario is recognized as a leading painter of this style, known for his lyrical rendering of subjects. The istoriato style was influential and widely imitated in other pottery centers, including France.1