Polychrome majolica bowl with a istoriato decoration of...

Polychrome majolica bowl with a istoriato decoration of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe (Ovid, Metamorphoses, 4, 43-166). Inscribed on the reverse with pirimo e tibise. Urbino, mid-16th century Diameter: 27 cm On the reverse, early but later inscription in brown ink, partially faded ... nel primo delle ... Tusculine (?) (missing foot, small chips on edge) Depicted are several episodes from the legend of Pyramus and Thisbe: the two young Babylonian lovers, separated by their families, meet under a white mulberry tree; Thisbe arrives first, but, frightened by a lioness, flees, dropping her veil; when Pyramus arrives and discovers the bloody veil, he believes Thisbe dead and commits suicide; on her return, Thisbe finds her beloved dying and kills herself in turn. Expert: Cabinet Fligny