Among the most typical eighteenth-century decorations of the Ginori factory, the one already defined in the eighteenth-century lists of the Manifattura as “scattered flowers and fruit” features fruits (apples, pears, plums, cherries, strawberries, figs, grapes, slices of watermelon or whole watermelons painted in polychrome) alternating with floral sprigs in different colours.
The oval tureen with lid, topped with a polychrome Cupid-shaped handle, is enriched by a border of French derivation, defined as “peignés bleu”, and by a gold trim. The piece rests on a large oval raised dish, ornamented with the same decoration, featuring a melon at the centre.
This shape of smooth, oval soup tureen enjoyed wide popularity at the Manifattura di Doccia, as attested by several examples, with different decorations, displayed in the Museo Ginori. The same can be said for the “scattered flowers and fruit” decoration, which was revived during the 20th century, albeit with variations, initially acquiring the name “Frutti d’oro” and later “Italian fruit” in the postwar period.
