F.lli Fanciullacci Montelupo - Vase - Geometric-Abstract Model 'Mondrian Era', 1960s - Earthenware
05
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€ 1
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Selected by Sophie Aziz
Graduate in Art History, with five years of professional experience in ceramics and glass.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Terracotta vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci Montelupo, model Geometrico-Astratto “Mondrian Era” from circa 1950–1960, handmade with a blue and black circular geometric pattern on a glazed surface, dimensions 11 cm wide, 21 cm high and 11 cm deep, with a white base and red terracotta ring, in good vintage condition with minor age marks.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Exceptional and authentic masterpiece of Italian art ceramics from the 20th century: a vintage bulbous vase entirely handmade and hand-decorated by the famous Fratelli Fanciullacci manufactory of Montelupo Fiorentino, dating from the factory’s period of greatest creative splendor (situated between the late 1950s and early 1960s).
The work is characterized by a marked and rich relief texture, the typical chalky/granulated or “frit” finish with a chalky/vulcanic effect, a hallmark of the best productions of the manufactory, on which an hypnotic abstract geometric decoration has been applied. The graphic pattern develops through a dense grid of midnight blue and black circles intersecting, expertly enriched inside with touches of pure, glossy glazes in saturated red, sun yellow, and emerald green.
Under the base, on the white-glazed bottom surrounded by the red terracotta foot ring left biscuit, is present the rare and extensive original hand-painted inscription: "F.lli Fanciullacci Montelupo" This detail officially, and beyond any doubt, certifies its absolute paternity and high collecting value.
The vase perfectly embodies the avant-garde spirit of Italian Mid-Century Modern, a movement that managed to carry the centuries-old Tuscan ceramic tradition towards the international pictorial trends of the postwar period. The graphic design and color palette of this piece are particularly influenced by two important stylistic matrices:
• Geometric Abstraction / Constructivism: evident in the structured use of pure geometric shapes (circles and triangles) that chase and overlap to pace the space on the three-dimensional surface of the vase.
• Neoplasticism (De Stijl Movement / Mondrian Style): evoked by the chromatic choice of only primary colors placed side by side, rigidly separated by black contour lines. A bold graphic intuition that creates a dynamic color contrast of great modernity.
The vase remains in good vintage condition. The glossy glaze of the colored details and the rough, porous finish of the background retain their original texture and the vibrancy of the era pigments. Very slight surface irregularities attest to the entirely handmade wheel-working and the era’s kiln firing. See photos which are an integral part of the description.
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateExceptional and authentic masterpiece of Italian art ceramics from the 20th century: a vintage bulbous vase entirely handmade and hand-decorated by the famous Fratelli Fanciullacci manufactory of Montelupo Fiorentino, dating from the factory’s period of greatest creative splendor (situated between the late 1950s and early 1960s).
The work is characterized by a marked and rich relief texture, the typical chalky/granulated or “frit” finish with a chalky/vulcanic effect, a hallmark of the best productions of the manufactory, on which an hypnotic abstract geometric decoration has been applied. The graphic pattern develops through a dense grid of midnight blue and black circles intersecting, expertly enriched inside with touches of pure, glossy glazes in saturated red, sun yellow, and emerald green.
Under the base, on the white-glazed bottom surrounded by the red terracotta foot ring left biscuit, is present the rare and extensive original hand-painted inscription: "F.lli Fanciullacci Montelupo" This detail officially, and beyond any doubt, certifies its absolute paternity and high collecting value.
The vase perfectly embodies the avant-garde spirit of Italian Mid-Century Modern, a movement that managed to carry the centuries-old Tuscan ceramic tradition towards the international pictorial trends of the postwar period. The graphic design and color palette of this piece are particularly influenced by two important stylistic matrices:
• Geometric Abstraction / Constructivism: evident in the structured use of pure geometric shapes (circles and triangles) that chase and overlap to pace the space on the three-dimensional surface of the vase.
• Neoplasticism (De Stijl Movement / Mondrian Style): evoked by the chromatic choice of only primary colors placed side by side, rigidly separated by black contour lines. A bold graphic intuition that creates a dynamic color contrast of great modernity.
The vase remains in good vintage condition. The glossy glaze of the colored details and the rough, porous finish of the background retain their original texture and the vibrancy of the era pigments. Very slight surface irregularities attest to the entirely handmade wheel-working and the era’s kiln firing. See photos which are an integral part of the description.
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
Italy
Model
Geometric-Abstract Model 'Mondrian Era', 1960s
Material
Earthenware
Manufacturer/brand
F.lli Fanciullacci Montelupo
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
21 cm
Width
11 cm
Depth
11 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960
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