John Baldessari, Trotella in Carpione - Locanda Del Lago - Santa Monica, CA, 2000

John Baldessari

Trotella in Carpione - Locanda Del Lago - Santa Monica, CA, 2000

Limited Edition Ceramic Plate. Artist Signature and Edition Number Fired into Plate.

1/3 inches height x 10 inches diameter

Signed in plate, Artist signature fired into the plate on the verso (back) and numbered from the edition of only 250.

This striking, extremely rare limited edition, signed and numbered bowl/plate was handmade in southern Italy by master artisans near Vietri sul Mare. It was designed by renowned American artist John Baldessari. From the late 1990s through the millenium, Buon Ricordo America, Inc. commissioned famous artists, including Baldessari to design plates for their flagship restaurants as special one-time only charitable fundraiser. Baldessari designed the present work for the renowned CA Italian restaurant, Locanda del Lago. Baldessari's design depicts one of the restaurant's signature dishes, Trotella in Carpione - done in the artist's inimitable style. This plate is a real collector's item -- and difficult to find -- it was created in a limited edition of only 250 and never mass marketed. The artist's signature is fired into the plate on the verso (back) and numbered from the limited edition of 250. Unfortunately, the project ended after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which also affected the company's businesses - including restaurants on the West Coast.

These plates were made in conjunction with Buon Ricordo America, Inc., an offshoot of the Italian restaurant union, Buon Ricordo (Unione Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo). This plate was made from local clay from a quarry in Ogliara, a few kilometres from Vietri. After biscuit firing they are coated and decorated by hand by skilled craftsmen using a carbon “dusting” technique similar to that once used for Renaissance fresco painting. Once the plates were decorated they are glazed and fired for a second time to fix their vivid colors.

The verso (back) of the plate bears the artists plate signature, edition, the publisher and manufacturer logos, and text reads as follows:

"Limited edition designed by the artist to benefit charitable organizations dedicated to bring hope and help children in need around the world."
"The artist does not derive any income from the sale of this plate."
"Microwave, oven and dishwasher safe."
"Printed by Cromocolor"
"Made in Italy"