This exquisite hand-painted ceramic apothecary jar, crafted in Portugal for Nora Fenton and signed “Dina,” embodies the artistry and heritage of traditional Portuguese faience. Standing 14 inches tall, its hexagonal form and domed lid command attention with graceful symmetry and painterly charm — a true marriage of craftsmanship and culture.
Each panel is a story told in brushstrokes: soft florals and whimsical blue creatures dance among fine black outlines, surrounded by gentle bands of saffron, sky blue, rose, and green. The design carries echoes of 18th-century French Rouen pottery blended with the vivid folk energy of Iberian ceramics. Every curve, from pedestal base to finial tip, speaks to the pride and patience of handwork — the kind of imperfection that defines authenticity.
Commissioned by American collector Nora Fenton, whose name became synonymous with mid-century European imports, this piece is marked “Made in Portugal for Nora Fenton” and numbered beneath the base. The signature “Dina” identifies one of the skilled artisans who gave life to her exclusive lines of hand-decorated ceramics during the 1960s–1970s.
A small area of wear and glaze loss near the base can be seen, consistent with age and handling, but it does not detract from its display appeal — instead, it adds a sense of journey and time-earned authenticity.
Whether displayed in a sunlit kitchen, classic study, or atop a marble console, this 14-inch urn is a conversation between color, tradition, and time.
Discovered by Treasures of Bako, have we got a gem for you.