Sketched Wreath

Name: Sketched Wreath
 
Type: Small Hand-Painted Portuguese Pottery Bowl
 
Year: Late 20th century
 
Set: No
 
Mark: None - Unknown artisan, marked "Pintado à Mão Portugal" ("Hand-painted Portugal")
 
History: This is a charming hand-painted Portuguese bowl, featuring a naïve yet lively depiction of a blue bird among stylized flowers. The inscription reads "Pintado à Mão Portugal SEC XVII", indicating that the decoration is inspired by 17th-century Portuguese ceramics, though the bowl itself was produced much more recently, likely between the 1970s and 1990s.
 
 
The rustic quality, vivid color palette, and hand-crafted nature are hallmarks of traditional Portuguese folk pottery, often produced in regions such as Alcobaça, Coimbra, or Caldas da Rainha. The rim and base are lined with deep cobalt blue, a nod to traditional majolica glazing techniques. These pieces are popular among collectors of European folk art ceramics due to their bright, cheerful motifs and artisanal charm.
 
Flaws: None