alla moda

‘Rimini Blu’ triple vase, by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s

July 26, 2013Ceramics1960's, Aldo Londi, alla moda, Bitossi, blue, desk tidy, dexter style, italian pottery, mad men style, mediterranean, mid century modern, mid century vase, retro, rimini blu, trio vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Fantastic ‘Rimini Blu’ piece, by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s.

Striking form, the trio of cylindrical vases / pots are joined in a lovely cluster of alternating heights. Very sculptural, perfect for use as vases, as a desk tidy, pen / brush holder or as a centrepiece or to display in its own right.

A Fabulous design by Aldo Londi from the mid 1950’s, in the striking iconic ‘Rimini Blu’, With its alternating bands of impressed motifs resembling Arabesque or Runic patterns, it is influenced by the new trends in art and design in the mid century period. Beautiful glossy layered blue and turquoise glazes evoke the colours of the Mediterranean Sea.

A Wonderful, Rare and Unusual piece from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century.

Would look great in any 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, retro, vintage, mid century modern, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior. A Great addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Still bears the original paper label on the base ‘Made in Italy’.

Measures 15.5 x 11 x 11cm / 6 x 4.5 x 4.5in.

Train money box, Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte, Italy circa 1960’s

June 6, 2013Ceramics1960's, afterglowretro, alla moda, bertoncello, brighton, ceramics, italian, money box, orange, piggy bank, pottery, retro, steam train, train, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning Train money box / piggy bank, attributed to Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte, Italy circa late 1960’s / 70’s.

A Wonderful stylised form, the lovely cartoon like Locomotive / Steam train has great detailing, a slot in the top for coins and a stopper on the base.

In a fantastic Bright and Glossy orangey red glaze, with handpainted details in green, white, and fantastic blue and yellow foamy glazes, very reminiscent of the Pop Art / Flower Power / Psychedelic era! Pieces with this glaze and decor were made by the renowned Bertoncello during this period, and are scarcer than their more subdued pieces.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of money boxes, piggy banks, Italian or European pottery. Perfect appeal for a kids room, or as home decor for any 1960’s / 70’s / pop art / psychedelic / Mediterranean / minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, still has the original stopper, no chips, marks, scratches or crazing.

Measures 16.5 x 7.5 x 12cm / 6.5 x 3 x 4.75in.

The base is hand marked 014 ITALY and is made using white clay, as is characteristic for this output.

Vintage Florentine leather backed pottery, Italy circa 1960’s

May 23, 2013Ceramics, Collectables1960's, alla moda, Bowl, coccio, desimone, dish, fantoni, florence, florentine, italian pottery, italy, leather backed, mid century, pip rest, retro, sgraffito, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

Theses designs are typical of the ouput of the potteries in and around Florence during the mid century era, the sgraffito and highly coloured and glazed motifs resembling Marcello Fantoni’s work. All leather backed, and their small size and novelty value made them popular gifts and souvenirs and were widely exported. The pipe rest is a rare and unusual piece with its sloping curved form, the smallest bowl is signed ‘Coccio.

All 3 pieces are available over at my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/afterglowretro

Smalto roccia & sgraffito wall plaque, Ceramiche Giulianelli, San Marino, Italy circa 1960’s

April 14, 2013Ceramics60's, alla moda, ceramiche giulianelli, collectable, fat lava, italian ceramics, italian pottery, italy, mid century, retro, san marino, sgraffito, smalto roccia, vintage, wall plaqueafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Lovely decorative wall plaque made by Ceramiche Giulianelli, San Marino, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic design, the white ceramic slip moulded plaque is decorated with a smalto roccia (rock glaze) very similar to a Fat Lava glaze, this represents the cliffs and mountains of San Marino. This is embellished with an incised sgraffito pattern of Mediterranean buildings, colourfully hand painted with enamelled glossy glazes.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian ceramics, Fat Lava or European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, kitsch, 1960’s, Mediterranean or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition, a little crazing commensurate with age, the slip mould is rough and unrefined as this is how they were made, no chips or cracks.

Marked to the base Ceramica Giulianelli Rep. S. Marino.

Measures 25 x 8.5 x 2.4cm / 10 x 3.5 x 1in.

Italian Sgraffito pottery vase / jug with deer motif, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci circa 1960’s

March 17, 2013Ceramicsalla moda, antique, art, brighton, collectible, deer, italian pottery, italian retro, jug, mid century modern, orange grey, pottery vase, retro design, sgraffito potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful pottery jug / handled vase, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy circa late 1950’s / 60’s.

A Stunning form and decor, the tapered body has a great angled rim and angular handle, very reminiscent of the era.
The glossy white spray-glaze has a mottled texture, and has been decorated using the sgraffito technique with motifs of deer and leaves, with bright bands of glossy orange glaze.

This form and decor can be seen on p.113 / 115 of Mark Hill’s ‘Alla Moda’ Italian Ceramics book.

Would make a great addition to any collection of Italian, European or Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Hand painted mark to the base 7437 Italy.

Measures 19.5 x 12 x 9.5cm / 7.75 x 4.75 x 3.75in.

Miniature Italian pottery jug / vase, with Giraffe and Cockerel, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

March 5, 2013Ceramics1950's, alla moda, antique, brighton, cockerel, collectable, deruta, design, giraffe, italian ceramics, italian pottery, italy, jug, mid century, mid century modern, retro, tube lined, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful miniature Italian pottery jug / vase / collectable, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Wonderful cute and unusual example of Italian Mid Century ceramics, this tiny decorative jug has a lovely exaggerated form, the stone colored body has a pale blue handle. It is ornately / kitschly decorated with images of a flower, leaf, cockerel and a giraffe! With a final zig zagged icing of a white tube lined glaze!

Deruta is a town in the Umbria region of Italy, with many small studio potteries that produced pieces in this style, characterised by reddish clay, matte glazes, stylised drawings and white tube lined detailing.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian / European / Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 50’s / 60’s, kitsch, shabby chic interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Handpainted / marked to the base ITALY 3509 .

Measures 9 x 7 x 7cm / 3.5 x 2.75 x 2.75in.

Vintage Italian Fratelli Fanciullacci Baluster Vase circa 1960’s

December 20, 2012Ceramics60's, abstract, alla moda, art, Baluster, ceramic artists, ceramics, design, era, fanciullacci, fat lava, fratelli, Handmade, italian, mid century, pottery, pottery art, pottery marks, retro, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great Fratelli Fanciullacci baluster vase, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Beautiful piece from one of the leading postwar Italian potteries. Their modern styles were inspired by the art movement and new ceramic designs of the mid century era. Their designs reflected the growth in European studio pottery, and were similarly entirely handmade.

The clean-lined geometric form, with the conical neck is accentuated by the two bands of carved and glazed motifs. Brightly coloured in green and orange glossy glazes, they jump out from the pumice like, textured, black and white background, which has repeated impressed square dots adding to the decor.

A Wonderful vase, stylish and colourful, the same form with a different glaze can be seen on p.129 of Mark Hill’s ‘Alla Moda’ Italian Ceramics book.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of Italian / European / Studio / Fat Lava pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Hand marked to the base 8627 ITALY.

Measures 25.5 x 12 x 12cm / 10 x 4.75 x 4.75in.

San Marino rock glaze and sgraffito vase and Fratelli Fanciullacci textured striped jug, Italy circa 1960’s

October 3, 2012Ceramics, Collectables1950's, 1960's, alla moda, ceramics, fanciullacci, fat lava, fratelli, glaze, italian, italy, jug, pottery, retro, san marino, sgraffito, studio, Vase, vintageafterglowretro View all 3 comments

These two pieces illustrate how Italian potteries were leading the way with innovative mid-century modern ceramic design. From the San Marino’s trademark foamy white smalto roccia (rock glaze) that predated West German ‘Fat Lava’ styles, combined here with a highly stylised fashionable sgraffito image, evoking the 1960’s Italian glamour sought out by the new influx of foreign tourists. The Fratelli Fanciullacci jug with its heavily textured glaze and hand painted stripes is inspired by the resurgence in studio pottery in Italy at the time, and was important in the revival of craft and the growth of ‘Made in Italy’ after the war.

afterglow retro

20th century retro, vintage and collectables