Genoa
Piccolpassi speaks of Genoa as a great mart for maiolica about the year 1540. He tells us the patterns painted—arabesques, leaves, landscapes, &c.—and the prices charged, but no specimens of this early date have hitherto been identified. The fayence of the 18th century, however, is of frequent occurrence; its decoration is much the same as that of Savona, viz. rude and hasty sketches in blue camaïeu, sometimes with small caricature figures in the style of Callot. In consequence of Genoa’s maritime position, the mark selected for this ware was a beacon, by some erroneously called a lighthouse, from which some object is suspended on a pole.
Fig. 37, a bottle, painted in blue with birds and scroll ornaments, has this mark.