Flask with Neptune and sea divinities

A significant role in the history of Renaissance ceramics was played by the Marche, where the most important production centres were located along the Metauro river, from Casteldurante (now Urbania) and Urbino. First in Gubbio and Casteldurante, and then in Urbino, from the 1510s the so-called “historiated” decorative repertoire, with the painting of stories generally taken from famous engravings, became established. This flask, from the Urbino workshop of Guido Durandino, which received many prestigious commissions, is part of a service made for the constable of France, Anne de Montmorency (1492-1567).