mid century ceramics

Marcello Fantoni ‘Regency lady’ bowl, made in Italy circa 1950’s

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

A wonderful decor, with a handpainted girl in Regency period costume, with a feathered bonnet, bows and parasol, beautifully stylised. All in muted colours, yellow, grey, black and white, on a finely textured base. Influenced by modern artists of the mid century era and displaying hallmarks of Fantoni’s style.
A lovely deep circular form, more of a display piece than a practical bowl or dish. The underside is accentuated by a gently undulating handpainted line, emphasizing the simplicity and craftsmanship of the piece.

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.

This decor in vase form can be seen in Mark Hill’s ‘Alla Moda’ Italian ceramics book.

The bowl 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 / Raymor / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design. Would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950’s, 1960’s, minimalist or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing.

Measures 13 x 13 x 4cm / 5.25 x 5.25 x 1.5in.

Available for sale in my Etsy shop http://etsy.me/1zSnDd4

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Marcello Fantoni miniature pottery bowl, Florence, Italy circa 1950’s

This is a Stunning and Rare Marcello Fantoni miniature bowl, made in Italy circa 1950’s.

A Wonderful design, with an archaic look, influenced by Etruscan / Ancient Roman pottery, and modern art, Cubism and abstraction. A Lovely curved biomorphic form, more a sculptural piece than a practical bowl or dish.

Fantastic glazes, a vibrant glossy aquamarine blue, a red and black bubbling enamel like glaze, a painterly daub of yellows, and a matte lilac glaze. All tied together with a sgraffito (scratched) cubist pattern resembling an abstract bird.

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.

This bears 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 / Raymor / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design. Would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950’s, 1960’s, minimalist or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no chips or scratches to the pottery, some age related wear to the the base, nothing to detract.

Measures 7 x 6 x 3cm / 2.75 x 2.5 x 1.25in.

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

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Vintage handled vase / jug, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy circa 1950’s

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

A Stunning form and decor, the bulbous pitcher / jug shaped body is very classical, accentuated by the decorative forked handle and small spout.
The whole piece has been spray glazed in pink giving a fine rough texture, this is further embellished by raised motifs of a farm, farm workers and grapes and flowers. This is all contrasted by the base and inner glaze in a pastel blue.

Similar forms and decors can be seen in 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.

Handmarked to the base ‘Italy 2385’.

In Great Condition, a couple of chips to the spout (pictured), no other flaws, nothing to detract on display.

Measures 20 x 20 x 13cm / 8 x 8 x 5in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1lJ9TO4

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Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Vetrata’ vase, Italy circa 1966

This is a Beautiful Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Vetrata’ vase, Italy circa 1966.

A Fabulous piece designed by Aldo Londi in 1966, with a vibrant glossy multicoloured stained glass pattern on a glossy brushed ground base. A Striking style very different to the iconic ‘Rimini Blu’, this reflects the Cubist, Modernist and Modern Art influences of the era.

A Wonderful vase from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century.

A Fantastic decorative vase, and would look great in any 60’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 chips or cracks, some age related wear to the base, nothing to detract.

Hand Marked to the base V430/25 Italy.

Measures 25.5 x 10 x 10cm / 10 x 4 x 4in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1whjI9C

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Oyster platter by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, France circa 1960’s

This is a Stunning Vintage Oyster plate / platter made by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, near Vallauris, France circa 1960’s.

A Wonderful piece of French art pottery Majolica / Faience ware, by this renowned potter, who collaborated with the artist Fernand Leger influencing his style as Picasso did for many other Vallauris potters.

With its lovely contoured form, gently rippled, with 6 wells for oysters or shellfish, and another for lemon, wonderfully stylised, having an underwater, rockpool appearance. Stunning glazes, the glossy black base has foamy aqua trails in blue and green, contrasting with the vibrant shocking orange wells, highlighted with foamy gold and the lemon rim in yellow!

A real statement piece of mid century French art pottery, very reminiscent of the era, and perfect to brighten up any dinner party table or retro kitchen.

Hand signed to the base GF ‘fait main’ (hand made).

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 26 x 24 x 3cm / 10.25 x 9.5 x 1.5in.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/184972664/vintage-oyster-plate-platter-gabriel?

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Italian pottery jug / vase by S. Volpi studio circa mid 1950’s

This is a Beautiful vase / jug made by the S. Volpi pottery studio, Italy circa mid 1950’s.

A Great rare piece from the studio pottery of Serafino Volpi, set up after he left his company Maiolica Derutese Volpi, to persue non traditional adventurous forms and decors.

Stunning form, so reminiscent of the era with its bulbous body and curved slanting rim / spout, balanced by a large squared decorative handle.

The decor is Superb, on a glossy white base are raised random white squiggles and sgraffito lines. Colourful handpainted stylised motifs adorn the whole body, a pair of snakes, starbursts, bright blocks of solid colour and pink dots. The handle contrast nicely in pink with gold dots and gilt edges, which carries around the rim of the spout.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of Italian / Studio / European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, mid century, kitsch or contemporary interior.

Hand marked to the base ‘S. Volpi Deruta 2709’.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 22 x 17 x 14cm / 8.75 x 6.75 x 5.5in.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/172662071/vintage-serafino-volpi-deruta-italian?

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‘Tigris’ vase and dish, Zell Shmider Keramik, West Germany circa 1956

These are a Beautiful miniature vase and dish pair, made by Zell Schmider Keramik, West Germany, form and decor designed by Anneliese Beckh circa 1956.

In the Stunning ‘Tigris’ decor, with its glossy black glaze and wavy stripes in yellow and white. Very reminiscent of the era and most likely influenced by Picasso, Cubism and Modernist styles, understated, elegant and classic design.

Lovely forms, the small vase having a rounded tapered body with a curving rim and the pin dish sits at an angle with an asymmetric curved kidney shape. Both perfect as part of a centrepiece or grouping, as a single stem vase and pin dish, desk accessories, or sculptural pieces in their own right.

Pieces from this lesser known pottery are rarer than the output of the large ceramics factories of the 60’s / 70’s, and this earlier Mid Century style is very collectable as an antithesis to the ‘Fat Lava’ styles.

Would complement any collection of West German or European Art / Studio pottery, and would look fantastic in any retro, vintage, mid century, fifties, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, a couple of miniscule fleabite sized rough patches on the rims, nothing to detract on display, no chips or cracks.

Marked to the base 3589 Made in Western Germany 1786 26 and with the company logo.

The small vase measures 12 x 7.5 x 7cm / 4.75 x 3 x 2.75in. Marked to the base ‘Made in Western Germany 4167’.

The pin dish measures 10.5 x 7 x 4cm / 4.25 x 2.75 x 1.75in. Marked to the base ‘4087 22’.

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