Salvatore Meli Important large scale Italian Sculpture / Ewer 1952 More Information
Salvatore Meli Important large scale Italian Sculpture / Ewer 1952
SALVATORE MELI (b. 1929) Italy
Important Sculpture / Ewer 1952
Glazed terra cotta, brown and dark green with white scraffito decoration, original stepped and angular wood base.
Signed: Meli 1952 Roma
For more info on Meli see: Design 1935-1965, What Modern was, ed. Martin Eidelberg (New York: Harry Abrams, 1991) p. 237.
Salvatore Meli belongs to that initial group of artists, including Guido Gambone and Lucio Fontana among others, who elevated Italian ceramics to a fine art during the post-war period. Meli conceived this vessel, first on paper, then by laboriously constructing the body in clay, coil by coil, to achieve the richly textured and dynamic form; the incised and painted decoration is in concert with the organic shape. The massive scale of this work defies function as a ewer but was created as a sculptural object. The original wooden base recalls Italian futurist sculpture forms of the early twentieth century.
H (with base): 23 1/2” x W: 13” x D: 9.5”
H (without base): 19 1/8”
Mazzega Murano / Italian Art Glass White opalescent tube top vase c. 1975
AV MAZZEGA MURANO (Italy)
Vase c. 1975
White opalescent blue blown glass with a bottom tube support and a flared
test tube style top
For related information see: Italian Glass Murano Milan 1930-1970, Helmut Ricke and Eva Schmitt (Munich: Prestel, 1997) illus. 66, 67; I Vetri di Fulvio Bianconi, Rossana Bossaglia (Torino: Umberto Allemandi & C., 1993) illus. 17, 21; Murano Glas 1945-1970, Marc Heiremans (Antwerpen: Galerij Novecento, 1989) illus. 181; I Vetri Venini, Franco Deboni (Torino: Umberto Allemandi & C., 1989) illus. 105.
Gorham T.B. Starr Important Sterling “Macy” Renaissance Revival Pitcher 1893
GORHAM MFG. CO SILVERSMITHS Providence, RI
THEODORE B. STARR Retailer
Renaissance Revival pitcher 1893
A highly important Gorham sterling pitcher chased with mythological faces, putti and various scrolling foliate patterns, the handle in the form of Pan with four sphinx figures supporting the base, all with elaborate and exquisite hand chasing and repousse throughout. Extremely fine original condition with original gilded interior.
Marks: Lion, Anchor, G (Gorham silver touch marks), EX. (Exhibition), Theodore B. Starr, 6 pint, Sterling, 1805, double circle touch mark (date mark for 1893)
Provenance: Private Collection, New York; Private Collection Florida from 1984 to 2009; directly descended in the family of Thomas H. Macy (founder of Nantucket) prior to 1984
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