A rare early-20th-century Grottaglie terracotta plate attributed to the renowned Puglian master ceramist Luigi Motolese (1879–1952). Dating to the 1920s–30s, this exceptional example of regional Italian peasant pottery combines the rustic character of traditional Southern Italian earthenware with Motolese’s distinctive folk-art decoration.
At the centre of the plate is the iconic Galletto, or cockerel, standing above a stylised yellow ground. In Puglian tradition, the rooster has long been associated with good fortune, fertility and protection from negative influences. Surrounding the central figure is an intricate hand-painted composition of stylised blue and yellow flowers framed by dark, twig-like lines.
The plate is finished with a vibrant yellow rim, characteristic of rustic majolica associated with the Salento and Grottaglie area. Its combination of bold colour, naïf imagery and expressive hand-painted decoration makes it a particularly striking example of early-20th-century Puglian folk ceramics.
At 24.5 cm in diameter, it can be displayed as wall art or incorporated into a table setting. It also pairs beautifully with the rustic floral jugs from Puglia shown in the accompanying images.
Details
Period: 1920s–30s
Maker: Luigi Motolese (1879–1952)
Origin: Grottaglie, Puglia, Southern Italy
Found: Lecce, Puglia
Material: Terracotta / earthenware
Decoration: Hand-painted Galletto (cockerel) with floral motifs
Colours: Blue, yellow and dark brown
Finish: Rustic majolica-style decoration with yellow rim
Diameter: 24.5 cm
Dimensions: H3.5 × W24.5 × D24.5 cm
This antique plate has an authentic aged appearance, with natural surface variation and signs of age and previous use consistent with an early-20th-century ceramic. Minor marks, glaze variation and areas of wear are part of the character and history of the piece. Please note that colour may vary slightly from screen to screen.
A rare early-20th-century Grottaglie terracotta plate attributed to the renowned Puglian master ceramist Luigi Motolese (1879–1952). Dating to the 1920s–30s, this exceptional example of regional Italian peasant pottery combines the rustic character of traditional Southern Italian earthenware with Motolese’s distinctive folk-art decoration.
At the centre of the plate is the iconic Galletto, or cockerel, standing above a stylised yellow ground. In Puglian tradition, the rooster has long been associated with good fortune, fertility and protection from negative influences. Surrounding the central figure is an intricate hand-painted composition of stylised blue and yellow flowers framed by dark, twig-like lines.
The plate is finished with a vibrant yellow rim, characteristic of rustic majolica associated with the Salento and Grottaglie area. Its combination of bold colour, naïf imagery and expressive hand-painted decoration makes it a particularly striking example of early-20th-century Puglian folk ceramics.
At 24.5 cm in diameter, it can be displayed as wall art or incorporated into a table setting. It also pairs beautifully with the rustic floral jugs from Puglia shown in the accompanying images.
Details
Period: 1920s–30s
Maker: Luigi Motolese (1879–1952)
Origin: Grottaglie, Puglia, Southern Italy
Found: Lecce, Puglia
Material: Terracotta / earthenware
Decoration: Hand-painted Galletto (cockerel) with floral motifs
Colours: Blue, yellow and dark brown
Finish: Rustic majolica-style decoration with yellow rim
Diameter: 24.5 cm
Dimensions: H3.5 × W24.5 × D24.5 cm
This antique plate has an authentic aged appearance, with natural surface variation and signs of age and previous use consistent with an early-20th-century ceramic. Minor marks, glaze variation and areas of wear are part of the character and history of the piece. Please note that colour may vary slightly from screen to screen.
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