Antique Italian Montelupo Majolica Renaissance Boccale Armorial Jug Pitcher 1600

A very good antique Italian maiolica/majolica Renaissance armorial boccale or jug from the Montelupo area of Florence, circa 1600.Typical of the tin glazed earthernware of the time this very handsome jug having a cobalt blue ground, the cream colored top having a 'pinched' spout and a twin loop strap handle to the back. The body of the jug is decorated with a pair of stylised lions rampant, with a coronet or crown to the center above a fleur-de-lys style device, the coronet and fleur-de-lys design is repeated to the rear of the pair of lions.The jug having all over craquelure or crazing of the glaze, condition is very good indeed.Provenance; from an American private collection of early Europeran vernacular pottery.