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Marcello Fantoni “Satiro innamorato” vase, Florence, Italy circa 1950s £600

This is a stunning and rare Marcello Fantoni vase, made in Florence, Italy circa 1950s.

So characteristic of his work, with a highly stylised sgraffito Cubist figure very similar to his iconic figure of a woman “Satiro innamorato” sculptures. With multicoloured glossy glazes against an earthy organic style base on an unusual gourd form, with a contrasting bright blue interior.

The vase has a handpainted mark to the base ‘Fantoni Italy, with the ‘Duomo’ symbol based on Florence’s Cathedral’s dome.

A great addition to any collection of Fantoni, Italian or European fine art ceramics or 20th century design. Would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950s, 1960s, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Measures 17.5 x 11 x 6cm / 7 x 4.5 x 2.5in.

In excellent condition, no chips, cracks or crazing.

Marcello Fantoni was one of the greatest ceramicists and designers of the 20th century, his pieces were influenced by ancient Etruscan ceramics, and by contemporary modern artists of the mid century era. Incorporating elements of Modernism, Cubism and abstraction, this led to his pieces being included in collections of international Modern Art museums and galleries.IMG_6698IMG_6699IMG_6700IMG_6704IMG_6706IMG_6707

Mid Century rattan / wicker monkey ‘speak no evil’ figure circa 1950’s

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This is a great rattan / wicker monkey figure, country of origin unknown, circa 1950’s.

A wonderful cute character, a shelf sitting figure in a ‘speak no evil’ or just playful pose! Fantastic stylised monkey shape, so expressive and great detailing, all expertly woven out of rattan with the feet and hands made of canes wrapped round with flat palms. The orange face is made of rattan coated in plastic, with black bead eyes.

Very much in the style of Kay Bojesen’s and Walter Bosse’s mid century monkey / animal figures and would make a perfect addition to any such collection, or to sit on a Danish Modern / Eames era sideboard or shelves as a quirky fun piece of home decor!

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of mid century animal figures, Bojesen, Zoo line, Walter Bosse etc and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 1960’s, mid century, modernist, Danish Modern, minimalist or contemporary styled interior.

In excellent condition, a couple of loose canes overall, the right ear appears a little skewed but all adds to the vintage character, nothing to detract on display.

Measures 36 x 27 x 27cm / 14 x 11 x 11in.

Available in my Etsy shop : http://etsy.me/1ya3cxy

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Vintage Goebel Pottery Hedgehog dish, KZ 98, West Germany circa 1950

Whilst the current trend for vintage West German pottery is almost exclusively aimed at the ‘Fat Lava’ genre and the factories that produced outlandish designs, some great designs can be found from unexpected makers.  Such as this lovely Hedgehog dish from Goebel Porzellan, known predominantly for their Hummel figurines!  This is a very stylish Mid-century animal figure that would quite happily sit alongside its ‘Fat Lava’  contemporaries in a collection, and would complement the similarly styled Walter Bosse brass figures.