Futuristic Ceramic Tea Service by Renato Bassanelli for Keramos, Rome, Italy, 1920s, Set of 15

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Description

Measurements:
teapot: height: 12 cm; width: 22.5 cm; depth: 15 cm;
milk jug: height: 7 cm; width: 15 cm; depth: … Read more Measurements:
teapot: height: 12 cm; width: 22.5 cm; depth: 15 cm;
milk jug: height: 7 cm; width: 15 cm; depth: 10 cm;
sugar bowl: height: 9 cm; width: 14 cm; depth: 11 cm;
cup: height: 5 cm; width: 11 cm; depth: 9 cm;
saucer: height: 2 cm; diameter: 15.8 cm;
total weight of set: 2.077 kg.

description of the item:
beautiful glazed ceramic tea set, entirely decorated by hand, consisting of 6 cups with saucers, teapot, milk jug, and sugar bowl, for a total of 15 pieces, signed and made by renato bassanelli for his "keramos" factory in rome. The set is entirely decorated with an airbrush with red leaves and flowers on a black background, while the inside of the pieces is decorated in light brown. The glazes used are of high quality, rich in feldspars, which have made the vitrification particularly brilliant. The set is made in full futurist style, and the shape of the teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug, and cups is that of the ceramics of the roman secession.

useful information for evaluating the item:
our internet research shows that renato bassanelli's ceramics, in addition to boasting considerable auction results, are offered on other leading online art sales sites for €200-300, with larger and more important ceramics fetching as much as €2,000-3,000. For ceramic services, on the other hand, prices range from €400-500 for the smallest and least elaborate items to €1,200-1,500 for the largest and most important services. This service features very rich and complex decoration, is complete and consists of 15 pieces in total, and is certainly one of the most valuable pieces created by the artist.

information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
renato bassanelli was born in 1896 in civita castellana (vt), where he attended the regia scuola professionale di ceramica (royal professional school of ceramics), graduating as a master of arts in 1918. In 1919, he moved to rome and obtained a concession from the ministry of education for some premises in vicolo della rupe tarpea, where he set up a kiln, the "keramos ceramiche d'arte," in which, with the collaboration of some workers and the contribution of his artist friends, including domenico mastroianni, he began producing artistic ceramics. In 1923, he exhibited some of his works at the first roman exhibition of industry, agriculture, and applied arts, held in the gardens of villa borghese in rome, winning a gold medal. In 1924, he participated in the international exhibition in brussels. In 1928, bassanelli was forced to vacate his premises due to building demolitions ordered by the regime and moved to biella where, in 1929, he founded "s.a.c.b." (società anonima ceramiche biellesi) and, in the same year, he collaborated in the foundation and start-up of the "c.a.a.r." factory in ronco biellese. The production up to the 1930s is perhaps the most decorative and rich in particularly imaginative and evocative color combinations. In 1930, he presented several vases inspired by etruscan and renaissance culture at the triennale di arti decorative in monza, in the e.n.a.p.i. (ente nazionale per l'artigianato e piccole imprese) section. These vases were designed by tommaso buzzi and signed with the graphic symbol of a rose. Another mark used during these years was "s.a.c.a.," which was easily confused with other similar marks used during the same period by other italian ceramic manufacturers. In 1933, he exhibited at the triennale in milan. Back in rome, he opened a studio first in via mondovì, then in via fregene and again in via baccarini, dedicating himself to the production of unique pieces of great stylistic and technical quality. In 1932, he was appointed director of the ceramics schools in frosinone, pontecorvo arpino, and ceprano. In 1936, he was appointed expert of the ministry of corporations and industry. In 1937, he exhibited at the vii national craft exhibition in florence. After world war ii, he held the position of artistic director of the "industria ceramica umbra" in città di castello for two years. From 1949, for two years, he was artistic director of the "ceramiche bassanello" factory owned by marquis misciattelli. In 1951, he opened a studio in rome at via sorano 5, called "bassanelli ceramiche," which remained active until 1970, where he devoted himself mainly to the creation of unique pieces. Renato bassanelli died in rome in 1973.


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