Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Sixteenth-century Italian Renaissance plaques sell for £100,000 at auction
A pair of rare maiolica works by Renaissance master Francesco Xanto Avelli have sold for £100,000 at auction in England, more than a century after their discovery in a Dorset residence. The 16th-century plaques are part of a significant series depicting episodes from the life of Cyrus the Great.
LSN India ·
The two exquisite maiolica plaques, created by the renowned Italian artist Francesco Xanto Avelli during the Renaissance period, commanded strong interest from collectors when they went under the hammer. The pieces had remained largely unnoticed within a private English home for an extended period before the family sought expert authentication and valuation.
Upon professional examination, specialists identified the works as part of an important decorative series illustrating narrative scenes from the historical and legendary accounts of Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian ruler. The identification confirmed their significance as examples of high-quality Italian Renaissance craftsmanship and iconography.
Maiolica—the tin-glazed earthenware tradition that flourished in Italian workshops during the Renaissance—represents one of the period's most sought-after decorative arts. Xanto Avelli, who worked primarily in the 16th century, is recognised among the most accomplished practitioners of the form, known for his sophisticated compositions and technical mastery.
The sale highlights how valuable Renaissance artifacts continue to circulate through European markets, with significant works occasionally discovered in private collections. Collectors and museums worldwide maintain strong demand for authenticated examples of Renaissance maiolica, particularly pieces bearing historical narratives and bearing the mark of master artisans.