Deruta bottle depicting Judith and Holofernes with pharma. inscription, 16e

Deruta earthenware bottle with polychrome decoration of a large wreath of fruit and foliage containing a biblical scene depicting Judith holding the head of Holofernes* surmounted by a banner with the inscription in Gothic letters "zucarum violato" (violet sugar syrup). On the back, a fleur-de-lys escutcheon from Florence.

Circa 1520/30. First half of the 16th century.

Height: 39.5 cm.

The body is cracked, the foot is chipped and missing, and the base has been partially restored.

*Holopherne, king of Nineveh and general of Nebuchadnezzar, has laid siege to Bethulia, a small town in Palestine. Judith, Manasseh's widow, has put on her best clothes to save her town and enters the enemy camp. Judith takes advantage of Holofernes' drunkenness after a banquet to cut off his head.

Cf. Jeanne Giacomotti, Les Majoliques des Musées nationaux, n° 481 to 487 p. 142 and 143, Ed. des Musées nationaux, Paris 1974.