Although there is no definitive documentation, this vase adorned with a large branch of hawthorn in gold and grey on a lapis lazuli blue background, is attributable to Giovanni Gariboldi (1908-1971), who from the early 1930s was the chief designer of Richard-Ginori art ceramics.
Oriental ceramics are the main source of inspiration for both the shape and the decoration. The shape, reminiscent of the traditional Chinese Meiping vase, was already present in the manufactory’s repertoire since the early 1900s (model 1499).
The decoration probably draws inspiration from plum branches on a black background featured on popular 19th-century Chinese manufactory vases (an example at the Victoria & Albert Museum inv. C. 1314-1910), imitations of which were produced by the Doccia manufactory itself in the nineteenth century.
The oriental prototype serves as a starting point that is freely reinterpreted, with attention to detailed design and a focus on showcasing the craftsmanship skills and the use of the most refined decorative techniques, which at this time were executed entirely by hand. Particularly successful in this case is the combination of the intense dusty blue with the brightness of the white flowers and the warm glimmers of the agate gold thorny branch.
From the decoration number (1799E) we can deduce that the design dates back to around 1938.
