Italian Majolica Plate Appraisal

Ceramiche Umbre Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Plate

This item is a hand-painted ceramic plate featuring a vibrant ocher or mustard yellow glaze. The craftsmanship is attributed to Ceramiche Umbre (S.T. Passignano), an Italian pottery studio located in the Umbria region, noted for its traditional majolica techniques. The plate features a circular unglazed foot ring, which shows the white earthenware body beneath. A defining characteristic of this piece is the extensive 'crazing' across the glazed surface—a network of fine hairline cracks caused by the different expansion rates of the clay body and the glaze during the firing process. While common in vintage Italian ceramics, this condition indicates significant age or thermal shock exposure. The central mark on the reverse is a circular black stamp that reads 'CERAMICHE UMBRE ST PASSIGNANO' around a central logo, with 'HAND PAINTED MADE IN ITALY' visible at the bottom. The glaze thickness appears uneven, which is a hallmark of hand-dipped or hand-applied artisanal production. There is minor stilt marking and some dark particulate matter trapped within the glaze, typical of rustic kiln environments. This piece likely dates from the mid-to-late 20th century, representing the mid-century revival of Italian regional pottery styles.