Pair of Bakelite Salts, Italian Fontanini, mid C20th

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Auction Start: 22/03/25 14:45:00 UTC
Auction Ending: 06/04/25 21:32:00 UTC
Time Remaining: 2d 18h 7m
LOT NUMBER 17
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LOT NUMBER 17

Pair of Bakelite Salts, Italian Fontanini, mid C20th

A pair of Bakelite table salt dishes in the form of two cherubs wearing a quiver and holding a bow and arrow and standing on shell with a rococo style plinth at the edge and three supporting feet underneath. Both pieces are marked 'DEPOSE 186 ITALY' with a small spider mark in addition. This signifies the Fontanini workshop which made a variety of small polychrome resin figures in a rather charming rococo (the term itself derives from the French 'rocaille' which means 'shell work') style of which these are an excellent example. The small spider emblem is often seen on their pieces. Dating is probably to the 1950s.

The well known Italian firm Fontanini, now famous for producing nativity Sets, was founded by Emanuele Fontanini as a small local business in a single room in the tiny Tuscan town of Bagni di Lucca. Working at first in papier mâché, the business turned to the use of bakelite once it became available, marking their pieces with a spider emblem and the wording ‘depose Fontanini up until the 1970s after which these were replaced by the Fontanini name, the date of manufacture, and a small fountain, which allows fairly accurate dating here. Manufacturing is now caried out by the fourth generation of the family.

Size: Salts : Ht 12cm, Width (max) 6.5cm, Depth (max) 7cm
Weight: 120 gm (two)
Date: 1950
Condition: Very good condition with no damage to the intricate features
Estimate: £40 – 60

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