Large urn dated 1725

[dbsmith]

I was given an urn (I'm not sure if that is the correct term, given its size) by my mother-in-law. It is approximately 3 feet high, and 2 feet wide (at the widest portion). It is dated 1725, and the inscription reads "Ecce Lorenzo Montavti". My mother-in-law claims that there are matching urns at the Breakers in RI. She received it from her uncle who worked as a butler at an estate in NJ for 50 years (from the late 20's to the late 70's).
It is made out of terra cotta (I think) and painted. I'm assuming the date is real, but it may not be.  Any ideas on what it was used for, and the value?  I've tried researching on the internet, but I didn't find any similar pieces.

[dbsmith]

another view

[dbsmith]

More views

[mart]

Ecce means to "behold or look" and possibly can mean "see" depending on how it reads !! Will need to check more tomorrow,, I am tired this evening !!  Lorenzo Montavti may or not be a proper name,, I think Montavti should be Montanti who I read was a painter of pottery !!  Lorenzo is also a town in Italy !! I will try to put all this together tomorrow !!  It does not appear to be from that date, 1725 but could be a commerative piece !!  Have not seen all the pics yet !!  I have dial up but will try to see them all tomorrow !! If you did not take one before,, try to take a pic of the bottom !!

[sapphire]

Remembering that often the "V" is used for "U" I ran a very quick search and came up with this (now if only I spoke Italian  )

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9026517

I'm taking it that the 'anfora' be the equivalent of our 'amphora' ? Will see what else I can round up.

[sapphire]

The 'museo s. matteo di pisa' is the National Museum of San Matteo......

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_nazionale_di_San_Matteo&ei=OTQ3T7LPI4j5gge5s43oBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmuseo%2Bdi%2Bsan%2Bmatteo%2Bpisa%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26prmd%3Dimvns

[dbsmith]

Thank you!!!  I've written the director of the museum, and I found this one as well:  
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/orcio-con-coperchio-in-terracotta-invetriata-con-1-c-vl8y9ctmlo

Wish I had the cover.  The one in San Matteo looks like it is just left outside, so it may not be old?  Or maybe they don't consider 1725 old?

[dbsmith]

How do I find out the price it sold for in the Sotheby's December, 2005 auction?  I'd buy the catalog for reference, but I can't figure out what the sale number is.  The Sotheby's website search function is not helpful.  I emailed the European ceramics person at Sotheby's, but she's on maternity leave. 

This is what I have for a search:
Auction House:  Sotheby's
Auction Title:  Furniture, Ceramics, Silver, Works of Art
Auction Date:  2005 (I would assume December 20, given the preview dates)
Location:  Italy
Viewing Notes: 16th, 17th & 18th December 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 6pm. 19th December 10am to 1pm.
Catalogue Information: 518 lots | 308 with images
Lot:  274
Description:  ORCIO CON COPERCHIO IN TERRACOTTA INVETRIATA CON STEMMA DELLA FAMIGLIA DE' MEDICI LORENZO MONTAUTI, TOSCANA, DATATO 1726 [ English Text: A FLORENTINE TERRACOTTA VASE WITH COVER WITH THE MEDICI COAT OF ARM, SIGNED AND DATED 1726; MINOR LOSSES AND WORN] alt. cm 97 anse a voluta iscritto "1726/ Lorenzo Montauti fece"; piccole mancanze, consunzioni

I can't believe how quickly the mystery was solved.  I've been trying to research this piece off and on for over 30 years.  Thank you.  My mother-in-law will be thrilled.

[jacon4]

The sale number is  MI0253 however, this date seems to be out of the lot result database.
 20
Dec
2005
-21
Dec
2005 Furniture, Ceramics, Silver and Works of Art from the Collection of Prince Alessandro Ruspoli, from the summer house of Alvar González–Palacios and from other important private properties
Sale: MI0253  Milan  


I would email and see if they will look it up for you.

[dbsmith]

I sent an email to their general contact address.  Thank you.

[sapphire]

Found their catalogue listing, but not the hammer price

http://browse.sothebys.com/?cat=1&event_id=27570&g=1&hp=&hpc=&i=1&is_past=1&page=14&q=&sale_id=MI0253&slabrowsesort=lot_sort_number


Estimate   4,500 – 6,000 EUR   (now if someone could translate that to $$  please     )


Still trying to see if it might have been cached somewhere.

[Coldeedy]

4500 Euros = 5 926.5 U.S. dollars,  6000 Euros = 7902 U.S. dollars

[mart]

Darn,, I am behind !!  Glad you all are better with Italian items than I am !!  I was calling it an urn and Sothebys says it a vase   Big one !!

[dbsmith]

You have all been very busy while I was out in the greenhouse!
What would these have been used for?  Just decoration?  And there were at least 4 - the match to mine was broken, so the family gave the remaining one to the butler, the one on Sotheby's and the one at the museum.  I'm assuming there must be more out there.

[mart]

What was it used for ??  Very big flowers !!  LOL ,,, I would assume it was just decorative, other than that I have no clue !!