An important pair of large inscribed Italian maiolica drug jars and covers, Naples, dated 1724

H.: 55 cm

Condition: (UV-checked)
- One cover in good condition, with a few superficial chips around the rim and further minor superficial wear.
- The second cover with minor retouching on the top and more important restoration around most of the circumference of the bottom circular band. The restoration executed to a very high standard.
- The inscribed jar with a few minor chips restored around the rim, with a restored break between the foot and the body and with some chips and minor touch-ups around the foot. The restoration executed to a very high standard.
- The other jar with one restored rim chip as well as a few superficial chips, otherwise in very good condition.

One inscribed with a text in Latin and dated MDCCXXIV for 1724.
The Latin text describes how Vincent of Saint Thomas, a pharmacist in the Matris Dei convent and a follower of the Discalced Carmelites, made this pair of vases.
It further describes how one Schisano Carolus, Michael of Pompeus and Laurentius of Sallendri were also involved with the making of these vases.

The text reads:
Ad clarissimum F.. Vincentium a Sto Thoma
Pharmacopolum ingeniosum in conv.tu Matris Dei Neapolis,
P.Pm Carmelitarum Discalceatorum
Encomium
Horum qu.. cernis, Vincentius extitit author
Fecit et ornavit: res memoranda satis.
Quid tibi, Vincenti, servare silentia prodest?
Si tu non loqueris, fama silere nequit.
P.F. Marcellus a Sto Antonio
Ita dixit, ita testatur
Ostendum cunctis fictilia vasa thesaurum
Tu male ne perdas fictilis artis opus
Hi sunt artifices quos secula nostra dederunt
Nomina ne pereas tempore scripta tene.
Institit inventor Schisano Carolus hujus
Quam cernis formae mirifique modi
Et Michael de Pompeo Aprutj ortus in oris
Finxit, vir pollens ingenio arte manu
Et de Sallendri Laurentius ortus in Urbe
Pinxit, sic mixtus ludit in orbe color.
At tibi summa datur Vincenti gloria quando
Cuncta tuis renitent sumtibus arte ma.u
Aeternum vivas Carmeli o inclyte fili
Nomen et haud ..las obruat ulla tuum.
MDCCXXIV