A pair of ceramic traveler's water bottles from the late 19th century

Para ceramic water bottles for travelers from the late 19th century, with a lens-shaped form, featuring a white background and abstract decorations in shades of blue, ochre, and brown. They have a similar shape, despite having handles with different orientations. The tallest one has a glued edge at the base of the handle. The decoration is only on the outside of the flask, while the back of the bottle shows a shop label from Rapallo and a small chip at the base. Originates from central Italy.

These small terracotta bottles were specially designed for storing water or other liquids essential for quenching the thirst of pilgrims during their journey. Relatively small in size, lens-shaped, with the possibility of attaching to a belt or carrying over the shoulder using a string wrapped around the flask and threaded through four loops or perforated sockets on the sides.

In this way, the basic traveler's tool was soon decorated and enriched with new shapes, both in terms of the plastic used for the flask and its typology, leading to unique forms such as a hollow flask, which, equipped with a base, suggests more a decorative than functional purpose.

The decorations also include primitive graffiti with geometric or floral motifs, enamel coloring, or decoration that may have an illustrative character, following common patterns of the period, or, as in the most popular examples, abstract, as in the case of bottles with abstract, almost freeform decoration, where we might think that the decorator simply had colors available for use or finishing.

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Original Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything originated from Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a significant resemblance and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are all antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. Next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces meant to exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Selectively used materials were employed to further emphasize the grandeur of these items.

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