I.D. Help – Heraldic double headed eagle vase

I'm curious about this little vase, but haven't had much luck identifying the marks or the design. I've looked at hundreds of images of double headed eagles, and most have a sword or scepter in one claw, as opposed to the two orbs of this design.

Anyone recognize this? It stands about 5.75" tall and is approx 3" diam.

 

Spanish heraldic eagle?

 

Thanks folks. Greek might explain why I can't figure out the signature on the bottom.

I've tried sending off some pics to a guy who specializes in different styles of crosses, to see if he recognizes anything. We'll see.

 

I'm pretty sure it says Alaera.
Janet

 

Aha! It's funny how one can't see something, only to have it become obvious once someone else points it out. España seems clear as day now.

Some fresh perspective and some new Google terms led to an auction item that bears a resemblance in form and style. This item is certainly older, and may have been the inspiration for the design of my little vase.

The expert on crosses points out a similarity to the emblems of the Carmelite order. He suggested I visit the local Carmelite order to inquire, which would be an interesting way to spend an afternoon in any case.



This is why I love hunting for antiques. This little vase probably isn't worth anything, but the process of learning about it has been so much fun.

 

Oh, and "Alaera" helped me find these items... Thanks everyone.

https://www.onekingslane.com/product/33667/2106523

 

I strongly suspect it's the arms of a village, town or city. Might be a communidad or autonomia.

 

Are items with this shape always meant as vases? The inward curve makes me wonder if they could be used as a drinking vessel?

 

As far as the crest/coa once you get to looking more I have no doubt you will find that the brown one containing three stars under the vector cross has no connection whatever to the vector cross with three dots.

 

The shape dates back to late medieval, early Renaissance Europe. The shape, known, as an Albarello, is often referred to as a drug jar. These jars were not originally meant to be used as decorative vases but rather storage jars. Most existing early examples have lost their covers but almost certainly they were produced with lids to cover the contents inside the jar. (Cited from: https://www.antiquers.com/threads/i-d-help-–-heraldic-double-headed-eagle-vase.4779/)

 

Well, THAT is interesting! Learn something new every day. Thanks.

Scrolling through Google image results for albarello eventually led me to this similar jar. I was thinking that the cross/shield might be a simplified version of the Carmelite design, and this lends a bit of support to that.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/1078532-TR-00141/An-early-18th-century-faience-pharmaceutical

 

Thanks for the info, Walter.

It wouldn't surprise me if the convex shape was used to make it easier to hold a jar when pouring out its contents.