Description

Overview

A large hand-painted folk earthenware charger in the Transylvanian tradition, most likely from the Korond (Corund) pottery region — a Székely-Hungarian craft center long renowned for its hand-thrown, slip-decorated ware. The cream-slipped face is decorated in the regional sgraffito-and-slip manner, in which the design is incised through a colored layer and filled with iron-brown, copper-green, and manganese slips, then finished under a clear glaze. The reverse is bare reddish terracotta with an applied, hand-pinched clay loop for wall display, and is incised with the maker’s signature, read as “Bagány.” The piece likely dates to the mid-20th century and is offered as a decorative wall charger from the Craft World Tours Collection.

Design & Craftsmanship

• Function & Form: A wheel-thrown earthenware charger, approximately 14.5 in in diameter, 3.25 in tall, with an interior depth of about 2.75 in, resting on a footed base. A hand-pinched clay loop is built into the underside rim for hanging.
• Artistry & Ornamentation: The well presents a central radial rosette — an orange lozenge with a green-dotted center, ringed by black sgraffito-outlined teardrop sprigs and beaded dot-lines forming a four-point star. The broad rim carries a manganese-black band with alternating white and rust oval “tulip-bud” dabs and rust dots, framed by rust wavy slip lines. The palette and layout are characteristic of Transylvanian folk pottery.
• Structural Base: The underside is bare reddish terracotta clay with wheel marks and an applied clay hanging loop, incised with the cursive signature read as “Bagány”.

Condition Report

• Surface Condition: Overall tight age-crazing across the cream slip surface, with minor glaze flaking and small chips at the rim, consistent with age and use.
• Structural Integrity: There is a hairline crack through the center well that has been previously repaired (epoxy-filled); it is stable and rigid. The piece is sound for display. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina, wear, and the noted repair, inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.