A Pavia maiolica large dish painted by Siro Antonio Africa and/or Siro Domenico Africa, workshop of Carlo Giuseppe Rampini, circa 1688-1710

Bolognese Collection, sold Wannenes, Genoa, 26 September 2014, lot 1040.

Siro Antonio Africa must be regarded as the dominant figure of the Africa family and the most prolific and accomplished North Italian maiolica painter of his time. In 1688, he broke the contract previously signed with the Imbres family and, together with his nephew Siro Domenico Africa, began working primarily for the Rampini workshop. In collaboration, Siro Antonio and Domenico developed a recognizable “house style”, raising the question of attribution: although the painting style appears unified, it is often difficult to distinguish whether a piece was executed by Siro Antonio himself or by his nephew.

The Rampini Workshop

Carlo Giuseppe Rampini assumed management of the family workshop in 1682. At his death in 1735, the post-mortem inventory recorded no fewer than 3,200 pieces of pottery attributed to “dell’Africa”.

Figures among Ruins

The architectural compositions—figures walking or standing, often shown from behind, in landscapes animated with grandiose classical ruins—are a hallmark of the Africa family’s “house style”. The subjects are conceived as constant variations on a theme, yet rarely repeat themselves exactly, giving each piece an air of invention within continuity.

Iconographic Sources

Despite the long-standing and flourishing pictorial and print tradition, since the 16th century, of depicting figures among picturesque classical architecture and ruins, very few specific iconographic sources have been identified for the maiolica painted by the Africa family and related workshops.

The Mark

It has been suggested that the letters found on this piece most likely represent the first two letters of the surname Africa. An alternative interpretation is “Africa fecit”, a formula common in ceramic signatures.

Related Literature

E. Pelizzoni, M. Forni, S. Nepoti, La Maiolica a Pavia tra Seicento e Settecento, Milan, 1997, p. 328, cat. no. 38; p. 153, cat. no. 125.

R. Ausenda, Museo d'Arti Applicate e Ceramiche, 2001, vol. II, pp. 116-117, cat. no. 129.