Vintage Ceramic Vase with Dragons from Dante Milanis Factory, 1940s

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Description

Item description:
Beautiful ceramic vase, entirely hand-modeled on a potter's wheel and decorated with scratched geometric patterns and dragons on … Read more Item description:
Beautiful ceramic vase, entirely hand-modeled on a potter's wheel and decorated with scratched geometric patterns and dragons on the belly, glazed and decorated by hand, signed under the base with the letter "B" incused, catalog number, and place of origin "Italy." Unfortunately, we do not know who this type of signature refers to, so we believe that the authorship of our vase can be attributed to the Dante Milani factory in Montopoli in Val d'Arno, which produced similar vases in its artistic production, finished with scratches and decorated by hand.

Useful information for evaluating the item:
Our research shows that similar vases from the Milani factory or made in Montopoli in Val d'Arno, many unsigned but all very similar in terms of decoration, colors, shape, workmanship, and finish, are offered on other online art sales sites for between €150 and over €300.

Information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
The production of clay materials, i.e., made from fired clay, was a manufacturing activity practiced in Montopoli in Val d'Arno and the surrounding area since the late Middle Ages. Dante Milani started his business in Montopoli in 1920. Documents preserved in the Historical Archives of the Pisa Chamber of Commerce show that, in addition to Milani, at least three other brick kilns started up in the Montopoli area in the 1930s. During the same period, there were several brick, earthenware, and glass retailers in the center of Montopoli. The Milani factory offered a large number of Montopoli residents the opportunity to find work and practice a respectable and rewarding trade. Professor Guido Milani, Dante's brother, took on the role of technical and artistic director and formed a team of potters who achieved an excellent level of professionalism, supported by a group of painters and decorators whom he inspired with an ever-growing artistic sensibility.


This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less