Slip-Decorated Redware Pitcher with Sgraffito Motifs

This is a decorative ceramic pitcher, likely a mid-20th-century piece of European folk pottery or high-quality studio pottery. Standing approximately 10 to 12 inches tall, the vessel features an elongated ovoid body with a flared rim, a pinched spout, and a prominent strap handle with scalloped edging. The construction is of terracotta or redware clay, finished with a warm honey-amber glaze. The decoration is highly intricate, utilizing sgraffito and slip-trailing techniques to create floral and geometric patterns. The primary motif is a stylized tulip or pomegranate on the belly, rendered in deep burgundy and bright yellow, framed by dark green foliate scrolls. The neck displays vertical panels of basket-weave texture and yellow slip dots. Condition-wise, the glaze shows a high gloss with minor surface crazing and a few small chips visible along the base and the spout's edge, typical for glazed earthenware of this age. The craftsmanship suggests a specialized regional artisan tradition, possibly Hungarian, Romanian, or German. The piece showcases professional skill in the symmetry of the hand-carved details and the application of polychrome slips, indicating a high level of decorative value.