Giustiniani Manufactures

A family of ceramists from Campania, who were active in Vietri sul Mare and Naples, from the 17th century until the end of the 19th century,
Of particular interest was the work of Nicola and Biagio Giustiniani.
Nicola arrived in Naples in 1752 and after entering the Neapolitan pottery scene by joining the Corporazione dei faenzari (guild of potters), he opened his factory in 1760, introducing a series of innovations that ensured the production of very fine-paste pottery, capable of competing with and surpassing that of the Royal Factory of Capodimonte.
Towards the end of the century, he devoted himself mainly to the reproduction of vases in the classical style, inspired by those found during excavation campaigns in Pompeii and Herculaneum in those years. From the second decade of the 19th century, under the direction of his nephew Biagio, the factory experienced its greatest impulse: its production, of a popular nature, was reworked with fresher compositions that better emphasised the bright colours used. These characteristics are evident in the plate signed Biagio Giustiniani with Punchinello playing with monkeys, a sculptural composition where the traditional Neapolitan mask appears seated on a rock and looking upwards at the monkey sitting on his shoulder while a second one is sleeping at the foot of the composition. Punchinello’s left leg stretches upwards, giving the scene the serene and playful atmosphere of the representation. Biagio’s signature is also present on another piece in the Correale Museum, where three painted masks appear on the background while stylised leaf and flower decorations appear on the border.