A very rare Minton Majolica ‘Punchinello’ card holder designed by Paul Comolera c.1875. Only known example. Modeled as a brightly glazed Punchinello leaning over a post, all upon a brown glazed rocky ground, 11”. The fashion for decorative card holders or menu holders followed the introduction of Art dinner cards, an idea from France that had spread to England by the late 1860’s. Puncinella, often called Punch or Punchinello in English, is a classical character that originated in the commodia dell’arte of the 17th century and became a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry. Punchinello was the inspiration for the 19th century British puppet show ‘Punch and Judy’. Punchinello was also a short-lived American satirical magazine inspired by the English publication Punch, it ran in weekly editions from 2 April 1870
'CURATED & CATALOGUED BY NICOLAUS BOSTON'

Condition reports are available upon request.