Ceramic fish-shaped handwarmer “Scaldamani” (Italy, first half 16th century

A very rare fish-shaped ceramic renaissance handwarmer (scaldamani). Emilia Romagna, first half of 16th century. There are 3 other published similar sculptures from the same period (beginning of 16th century) and 2 of these are kept in Italian museums (Reggio Emilia: Museo Civico n°91 and Ferrara: Museo Civico di Schifanoia ). The bibliographical references can be found here below in our ‘Bibliography’.
The elongated body of the fish narrows equally from the side of the mouth and tail but widens slightly again to shape the caudal fin. The pointed snout is divided into two parts by a thick manganese-brown line that runs across the body to the tail and is repeated around the circular base. On the back, in the centre, is the opening of the vase formed by a ring-shaped neck flanked by two handles decorated 'ladder-like' in copper green and manganese, sinuously following the horizontal line of the object. The brick-red ceramic body is finely engobed to the foot. On a light-coloured background, a graffito decoration has been executed by means of 'overlayering' marks that entirely cover the figure of the fish to simulate scales, as can be seen in a similar specimen published in the volume “La Ceramica a Mantova” by M.P. Gobio Casali, ed. Belriguardo, p. 70, tavola III.
Our sculpture is further decorated with drawings of the gills and fins, as we find in the piece published in "La Ceramica graffita in Emilia-Romagna", Modena 1971, fig. 145.
These graffiti marks, embellished with shady tones of yellow-antimony are combined with the copper green and manganese.
Two circular iron-brown lines, delimited by an enlarged concentric line, outline the eyes of the animal, while loosely sketched lines form the mouth and gills.
The entire artefact receives as its last finish the total glazing that is particularly visible in the final part of the object near the tail.
Two chips at the rim (one of which restored) and minimal restoration at a flake on the side of the stand.
Dimensions: 31x10x14cm

Bibliography:
"La Ceramica a Mantova" by M.P. Gobio Casali, edited by Belriguardo (Tav. III, p. 70)
"La Ceramica graffita in Emilia-Romagna; catalogo della mostra: Modena, Palazzo dei Musei, Galleria della Sala della cultura: Con presentazione del prof. Giuseppe Liverani.", Modena 1971 (ill 145 & 146 + p.62).