Mid-Century Italian Majolica Cat Sculpture in Blue & Green Glaze

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A wonderfully expressive Italian majolica cat sculpture dating to the mid-20th century, hand painted in saturated tones of cobalt blue, … Read more A wonderfully expressive Italian majolica cat sculpture dating to the mid-20th century, hand painted in saturated tones of cobalt blue, green, and citron yellow over a crackled glaze body.

What gives the piece its unusual charm is the highly stylized face—almost human in expression—combined with the fluid painterly glaze application. The result feels distinctly Italian: playful, slightly eccentric, and decorative in the best possible way.
The reclining form works especially well on a mantel, bookshelf, console, or under a lamp where the sculptural silhouette and vivid glaze can be appreciated from multiple angles. The surface shows attractive age crazing throughout consistent with vintage Italian majolica. Impressed “ITALY” mark to underside.

JUNE'S THOUGHTS
This is the kind of piece that adds personality instantly to a room. I especially like the combination of the vivid glaze colors and the slightly knowing expression—it has that confident, whimsical Italian character that keeps decorative ceramics from feeling overly serious or predictable.

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