Minton putti fountain
Cherubs, putti and fauns are all common themes in majolica but they are often difficult to tell apart by the collector.
Cherubs are defined by the dictionary as angelic beings. They have their origin in the Hebrew Bible. They are basically angel children with wings.
Putti are secular in origin. They are small children or adults sometimes with and sometimes without wings. They are almost always naked and generally mythological in origin. Cupid is a classic example of a putto.
Fauns are mythological creatures of half human and half goat or ram. They are usually mischievous and often quite sexual in nature. Sometimes they have horns and pointed ears but not always. Pan is an example of a faun.
All three are found in classic Victorian majolica with the cherubs and the putti fairly interchangeable. The only way to tell the difference between the two is the presence or absence of wings and not always then. Where all cherubs have wings, not all putti have wings. The figures in the Minton piece above are putti because they don't have wings. The figure in the Minton sweetmeat below is either a cherub or a putto, but most likely a cherub because of its ride on the classically modeled dolphin. So you see context is usually important as well.
Minton cherub sweetmeat
Other examples of putti and cherubs in majolica:
Minton majolica cherub center
George Jones majolica cherub centerpiece
Minton cherub basket
George Jones majolica cherub on a dolphin
Minton putti vase
Copeland majolica wine ewer
Brownfield majolica putto
Holdcroft majolica putto with cornucopia
George Jones majolica putti centerpiece
George Jones putti centerpiece
The figures in the George Jones pieces below are fauns. This is easily discerned by the hooves.
George Jones faun with shell
George Jones majolica faun center
Wedgwood majolica compote
Wedgwood majolica faun wine ewer
Minton majolica faun water ewer
Minton majolica mythological loving cup
It's funny how majolica pieces with people as subjects are not very popular with collectors, but the whimsy of cherubs, fauns, and putti seem to appeal to everyone!
Hi! I have two large vases that appear to be Majolica with Putti Cherubs around the rims. I am wondering if you could possible help me authenticate them. Please and thank you, Jodi
ReplyDeleteAll I can do is offer my opinion. I’m not a licensed appraiser. If you wish to ask my opinion send me photographs of the vases including the bases. Send them to the email address in my profile and I will do the best I can.
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