Italian Spaghetti Pottery
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Mid-20th Century Italian Other Animal Sculptures
Pottery
Finding the Right Animal-sculptures for You
Invite the untamed wonders of the animal kingdom into your home — and do so safely — with the antique, new and vintage animal sculptures available on 1stDibs.
Artists working in every medium from furniture design to jewelry to painting have found inspiration in wild animals over the years. For sculptors, three-dimensional animal renderings — both realistic and symbolic — crisscross history and continents. In as early as 210 B.C., intricately detailed terracotta horses guarded early Chinese tombs, while North America’s native Inuit tribes living in the ice-covered Arctic during the 1800’s wore small animal figurines carved from walrus ivory. Indeed, animal sculpture has a long history, and beginning in the 19th century, the art form started becoming not only fashionable but artistically validated — a trend that continues today. At home, animal sculptures — polished bronze rhinos crafted in the Art Deco style or ceramic dogs of the mid-century modern era — can introduce both playfulness and drama to your decor.
In the case of the frosted glass sculptures crafted by artisans at legendary French glassmaker Lalique, founded by jeweler and glass artist René Lalique, some animal sculptures are purely decorative. With their meticulously groomed horse manes and detailed contours of their parakeet feathers, these creatures want to be proudly displayed. Adding animal sculptures to your bookcases can draw attention to your covetable collection of vintage monographs, while side tables and wall shelving also make great habitats for these ornamental animal figurines.
Some sculptures, however, can find suitable nests in just about any corner of your space. Whimsical brass flamingos or the violent, realist bronze lions created by Parisian sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye are provocative and versatile pieces that can rest on windowsills or your desk. Otherwise, the brass cat shoehorns and bronze porcupine ashtrays designed by Viennese artist Walter Bosse are no longer roaming aimlessly throughout your living room, as they’ve found a purpose to serve.
Embark on your safari today and find a fascinating collection of vintage, modern and antique animal sculptures on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a ceramic piece is Italian pottery, turn it over. Genuine Italian pottery normally has a rough unglazed area. Many pieces bear the mark of the artist or workshop who produced it. Shop a selection of expertly vetted Italian pottery on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024To tell an antique Italian pottery apart from other pieces, do some research using trusted online resources. First, identify the maker by looking for marks on the bottom or interior. Once you know who produced your pottery, you can then explore the styles and types of pieces they produced over the years and use this information to estimate your piece's age. For pottery to be antique, it must be at least 100 years old. If you'd like assistance with the dating process, talk to a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a collection of antique Italian pottery on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What is most unique about ancient Italian pottery is its finish. Many pieces featured a tin glaze that is highly resistant to chipping and fading. The technique dates back to 9th-century Mesopotamia. You'll find a large selection of Italian pottery on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To identify Italian pottery marks, you can try checking trusted online resources and databases. Search for a description of the mark or browse images to look for ones that match. Because it can be difficult to determine the authenticity of pottery, you may wish to seek the help of a certified appraiser who is knowledgeable about Italian makers. With respect to Italian porcelain, major manufacturers include Richard Ginori and Capodimonte (the latter was founded by King Charles VII of Naples). Beginning in the mid-18th century, porcelain made by King Charles VII’s factory was stamped with a fleur-de-lis, usually in underglaze blue. Pieces from Ferdinand’s were stamped with a Neapolitan N topped by a crown. When secondary manufacturers began production, they retained this mark, in multiple variations. Find a collection of Italian pottery on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if Italian pottery is real, first look at its markings and use trusted online resources to identify the possible maker. From there, research the defining characteristics of pottery made by that particular artisan, workshop or manufacturer and use those as a guide to evaluate your piece. You can also use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer to receive professional authentication. Explore a diverse assortment of Italian pottery on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024To identify vintage Italian pottery marks, you can research them yourself using trusted online resources or consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. One way to begin researching pottery marks on your piece is to take a photograph and then perform a reverse image search. If your search yields no results, type a description into a search engine or review image reference guides devoted to Italian pottery. Once you have identified the maker, learn more about the various markings it has used over the years and use this information to get a rough idea of the age of your piece. To be considered vintage, pottery must be between 20 and 99 years old. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of vintage Italian pottery.