Ceramiche antiche Raffaele Fanciullacci - Vase (2) - Amphora vases with handles by 'Biton'; grottesque decoration from Montelupo. - MAIOLICA - Pair of Grotesque Vases

SHIPPING: I can ship within 24–48 hours, which is why the shipping cost is a little higher. The item will be packed with bubble wrap and cardboard with maximum care since it is a fragile and valuable object. Also, to avoid issues it will be insured as well.
-Are you on vacation? I offer a premium service, maximum flexibility for delivery; I can ship to the pickup point nearest to you, so you can collect it at your leisure when you prefer.

STORED IN A CLOSED DISPLAY CABINET
I am one of the few sellers who can ship worldwide thanks to having and registering the EORI CODE, which guarantees peace of mind and faster shipping even outside the European Union.

The Legacy of a Ceramic Dynasty
This magnificent pair of vases represents one of the highest expressions of Fratelli Fanciullacci’s craftsmanship, founded in 1862 by Raffaello Fanciullacci, who was already the director of the prestigious Ginori Factory. This historical connection to the Ginori dynasty gives the pieces an aura of technical and artistic nobility that elevates the pair far beyond simple artisanal production, placing it in the tradition of great Italian collecting of the twentieth century.

Renaissance Splendor: The "Grottesche" Style
The decoration, entirely hand-painted with natural pigments, pays homage to the Italian Renaissance. The Grottesche (or Raffaellesco) style draws inspiration from the Domus Aurea decorations discovered in the 15th century and made famous by Raphael in the Vatican Loggias.

1. Ancient Symbolism: The presence of winged dragons and mythological creatures enclosed in medallions symbolizes strength and protection.
2. Composition: The intricate interweaving of volutes and horns of plenty celebrates prosperity, with a color palette reminiscent of Tuscan earth tones: deep cobalt blue, burnt orange, and ochre yellow.

-Characteristics of Authenticity and Prestige

1. Maker’s Mark: Both vases bear at the base the signature "FF" and the model number "1491", guaranteeing provenance from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory before the 1966 flood, an event that destroyed much of the workshop’s archives and historic molds, making these examples true pieces of history that cannot be replicated.

2. Craquelure Glaze: The surface shows a natural, very fine crazing of the glaze. It is not a defect, but the “breath” of antique maiolica, tangible proof of age and authenticity of the piece.

-Decorative Value and Investment
With a majestic height of 30 cm, this pair from the same period is not only an interior accessory but an investment in modern antique collectibles. The perfect symmetry of the two pieces makes them ideal for a prominent display, capable of elevating any space with the charm of Tuscan ceramic history.

Unity of Line and Color
What makes this lot extraordinary is its nature as a matching pair from the same period. These are not two similar pieces placed together over time, but two vases born together, shaped by the same thrower and decorated by the same hand in the same time frame. Looking at the brushwork of the grottesche and the saturation of cobalt blue, one perceives a perfect chromatic identity that only an original set can guarantee.

-Symmetry as a Symbol of Prestige
Historically, the pair of ewers was conceived as an architectural element for the interiors of great Tuscan houses. Owning the original Pendant means being able to recreate that aesthetic harmony desired by the artist: a symmetry that communicates order, stability, and aristocratic taste. In a world where time tends to separate and destroy, finding two artifacts that have remained united for over half a century is a rarity that dramatically elevates their collectible value.

An Investment in Preserved History
While a single vase is a fragment of history, the coeval pair is a complete scene. The survival of both pieces through the perils of time is tangible proof of noble provenance and impeccable conservation. For the discerning collector, this set represents not only an art object but a pristine fragment of Fanciullacci postwar excellence, an era when the workshop dominated international markets for the quality of its maioliche.

INTERNATIONAL DESCRIPTION
SHIPPING: Express delivery option available (24–48 hours), which accounts for the slightly higher shipping fee. To protect these fragile and prestigious items, they will be packed with maximum care using bubble wrap and sturdy cardboard box inserts. The shipment will also be fully insured against loss or damage.
Vacation delivery option: A flexible premium service is available to hold or divert your package to a local pickup point so you can collect it at your convenience.

STORED IN A CLOSED DISPLAY CABINET
Registered with an active EORI CODE, allowing seamless, legal, and expedited global customs clearance and shipping outside the EU.

-The Legacy of a Ceramic Dynasty
This magnificent pair of vases represents the peak of craftsmanship from the Fratelli Fanciullacci workshop, founded in 1862 by Raffaello Fanciullacci—former director of the prestigious Ginori Porcelain Manufactory. This direct lineage to the Ginori heritage imparts a technical and artistic distinction that elevates this pair into the realm of mid-20th-century fine Italian collectibles.

Renaissance Splendor: The "Grottesche" Style
Hand-painted using natural mineral pigments, the decoration pays homage to the Italian Renaissance. The Grottesche (or Raffaellesco) style draws inspiration from the 15th-century rediscovery of the murals inside Nero's Domus Aurea, famously adapted by Raphael in the Vatican Loggias.
* Ancient Symbolism: Winged dragons and mythological creatures encased in medallions represent strength and protection.
* Composition: Dense foliage motifs, scrolling tendrils, and horns of plenty celebrate abundance. The palette features classic Tuscan earth tones: deep cobalt blue, burnt orange, and ochre yellow.

Features of Authenticity and Prestige
* Maker's Mark: Both vases bear the authentic "FF" signature and model number "1491" on the base. This confirms their origin from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory prior to the catastrophic 1966 Florence flood—an event that destroyed most of the company's historical archives and molds, making surviving pieces irreplaceable.
* Craquelure Glaze: The surface exhibits fine, natural fine-line glaze crazing (craquelé). This is an inherent characteristic of aged majolica ceramics rather than a defect, serving as tangible proof of age and authenticity.

-Decorative & Investment Value
Standing at an impressive 30 cm (11.8 in) in height, this matching pair serves as both a high-end interior accent and an investment-grade piece of vintage Italian ceramic art (Modernariato d'Antiquariato). Their balanced symmetry makes them suited for display in formal reception rooms, private libraries, or executive spaces.

Unity of Brushwork and Color
What sets this lot apart is its status as a true matched pair (coppia coeva). Rather than two individual items brought together over time, these vases were created concurrently: shaped by the same master potter on the wheel and painted by the same artisan using the same batch of glaze. The execution of the grotesque figures and the color saturation of the cobalt blue demonstrate an exact chromatic match.

-Simmetry as a Symbol of Prestige
Historically, paired ewers and vases were conceived as structural decorative elements for prominent Tuscan estates. Owning a true original pair restores the spatial harmony intended by the maker—a symmetry designed to project order, stability, and refined taste. Finding two delicate majolica items that have remained together undamaged for over half a century is an exceptional rarity that significantly enhances their overall collectible value.

-An Investment in Preserved History
While a single vase represents a piece of historical art, a surviving original pair offers the complete composition. The flawless preservation of both pieces indicates a well-maintained provenance. For the serious collector, this set offers an intact example of post-WWII Fanciullacci craftsmanship from the era when the studio was globally recognized for its majolica production.