URBINO, Cup representing the loves of mars and venus with four loves. 16th

URBINO,
Cup with polychrome decoration a istoriato, representing the loves of Mars and Venus with four loves.
Possible attribution to Francesco Durantino who worked in the workshop of Guido di Merlino between 1543 and 1547.
ITALY, Urbino,16th century
Diameter :25,3 cm.

*Mars, god of war, only renounces bearing arms when he's in love especially with Venus, whom he holds here in his arms, before being surprised by Vulcan.

Condition: glued back together in nine pieces, plus small ones at the edges with restored gaps, the earthenware pedestal. Love has disarmed God, and the scene serves as an allegory of peace.

Provenance: private collection.

References :
Plate depicting Venus and Mars on a cup attributed either to the workshop of Girolamo di Lanfranco dalle Gabicce in Pesaro or to Flaminio Fontana in Urbino; inscription on the reverse, “Venere e / marte”; circa 1565–1570, but with a simpler composition lacking the cherubs.
See C.D. Fushf, “Maioliche istoriato rinascimentani del Museo Statale d’Arte Medioevale e Moderna di Arezzo,” catalog no. 105, p. 193, Fraternita dei Laici Collection, Arezzo, inventory no. INV.14602, Ed. Bianchini and Capponi, Arezzo 1993.