Mid Century Italian Ceramic Tiger Cubs, a Pair

Details

Description

This is a pair of hand-painted ceramic tiger figurines, mid-century decorative pieces.

Description
• Form: Two reclining tiger cubs, mirror-imaged … Read more This is a pair of hand-painted ceramic tiger figurines, mid-century decorative pieces.

Description
• Form: Two reclining tiger cubs, mirror-imaged in pose, suggesting they were designed as a matched pair.
• Material: Glazed ceramic or earthenware. The glaze appears glossy, with visible brushwork and color pooling, indicating hand-painting rather than mass-printed decals.
• Color Palette: Bright golden-yellow base with black striping and white accents on the chest, face, and paws. The facial features are outlined in fine black lines with touches of pink on the noses and eyelids—typical of mid-century decorative ceramics.
• Underside Markings:
• Handwritten in black: “605,” “FLO/IDO” (possibly meant to read Florido or Florido, Italy), and “Ethl.”
• These marks suggest a studio pottery origin, likely Italian. “Florido” may refer to a workshop or individual artisan active in Italy during the 1950s–1970s, a period known for whimsical animal ceramics from regions like Deruta, Capodimonte, or Sicily.

Style & Origin
• Era: Mid-century (circa 1950s–1970s).
• Style: Folk or naïve modern Italian hand-painted pottery — bold, colorful, and stylized rather than naturalistic.
• Possible Maker: “Florido” has appeared on other vintage Italian ceramics (for example, animal figures and decorative vases). These often came from Naples or Deruta workshops that exported to the U.S. during the post-war period.
• The handwritten numbering (“605”) implies a model or mold number, typical for small-scale ceramic maker See less