Italian Ceramic Obelisk

Details

Description

This is a decorative ceramic obelisk in a neoclassical style.
• It has a tall, tapering four-sided shaft with a … Read more This is a decorative ceramic obelisk in a neoclassical style.
• It has a tall, tapering four-sided shaft with a pointed top, set on a square pedestal base.

Design & Decoration
• The shaft is cream-colored with hand-painted gold vine motifs running vertically up the sides.
• The pedestal base is painted with fleur-de-lis designs in yellow and outlined in green.
• Four small yellow sculpted paw feet (likely meant to resemble lion’s paws) lift the obelisk slightly off the surface, adding a classical and somewhat playful touch.
• Subtle green painted lines accent the edges, giving it a crisp outline.

Markings
• On the underside, it is hand-marked “106-23 ITALY” in blue, suggesting it is Italian-made pottery, probably mid-20th century (1950s–1970s).
• The numbering is likely a factory or pattern code used by the maker.

Impression

This piece blends Italian mid-century ceramics with classical revival design elements. The fleur-de-lis, paw feet, and obelisk shape are all symbols drawn from European decorative arts, while the painted vines add a touch of lightness. It was likely produced as a decorative interior object rather than a functional piece. See less