Globular Hausmaler-Decorated Vase Depicting Aurora and Cephalus, Attributed to Nuremberg.

Globular earthenware vase with a straight neck, resting on a circular pedestal foot, decorated in polychrome in the Hausmaler style. One side features a mythological scene within a medallion outlined with brown bands, depicting the winged Aurora embracing Cephalus, surrounded by putti among clouds, against a blue ground suggesting the sky.

18th century.

The subject, taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses, is based on an engraving by Michel Dorigny (1616–1665) depicting Aurora and Cephalus after Simon Vouet (1590–1649), faithfully reproducing all the details of the original composition.

Although the shape of this vase is unusual and recalls Dutch earthenware production, the Hausmaler decoration can be attributed to the Nuremberg manufactory on stylistic grounds.