Oh my goodness, definitely not Charity ***p, when I saw this beauty lying flat on the shelf in Evesham’s Extracare shop I wasn’t sure what it was, but when I picked it up I thought I would burst ……. as you know I love religious kitsch and this, well!??!!! I didn’t even notice the price but when I did, £1.99 …….. I would have paid an awful lot more. We were meant to be, I love it in all its naïve crudity.
I think it’s terracotta judging by the rough red material showing on the back and then, (but … what do I know) the front is covered with slip and then hand painted??? After a very quick Google search I am pretty sure it’s Italian, it’s a holy water font probably for domestic use. It’s probably a holiday souvenir with not much age to it, but it would have cost quite a bit more than £1.99. I am thrilled and it has aroused my curiosity so I will be researching similar pieces some more. I may also be going to Italy next year, so I I will definitely be keeping my eye out for another one or two, smaller versions perhaps.
When I got home I went all round the flat trying to find a apt place for my treasure, she’s now in the hall, on her own, just to the side of the door into the lounge/dinner so she can’t be missed, but where there is room should I stumble upon any more (in Italy or possibly E-bay). In the meantime I have put a very small tea light in the bottom (originally a floating wedding tea light from Home Bargains) in the bottom of the font bowl, so in the evening she looks, how shall I say, very atmospheric and very romantic!
Interesting find! I've never seen one of these in our thrift shops, but you can be sure, I'll be keeping my eyes open for them now.
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