Among the most typical eighteenth-century decorations of the Ginori manufactory, the one already defined in the eighteenth-century Manifattura lists as “scattered flowers and fruit” features fruits (apples, pears, plums, cherries, strawberries, figs, grapes, slices of watermelon or whole watermelons painted in polychrome) alternating with floral sprigs in different colors.
The oval tureen with a lid bearing a polychrome Cupid-shaped handle is embellished with a border of French derivation, defined as “peignés bleu”, and edged with gold piping. The piece rests on a large oval shaped dish, decorated with the same motif, with a melon at the center.
This shape of smooth oval tureen was widely popular at the Doccia Manufactory, as evidenced by several examples with different decorations preserved at the Ginori Museum. The same can be said for the “scattered flowers and fruit” decoration, which was revived during the 20th century, albeit with variations, initially acquiring the name “Frutti d’oro” and later “Italian fruit” after the Second World War.
