19th Century Mediterranean Studio Terra Cotta Floor Vase With Stylized Seahorses

Details

Description

Handcrafted studio Mediterranean terra cotta floor vase, Italy, mid 19th century. A beautifully shaped work with sculpted stylized elements of … Read more Handcrafted studio Mediterranean terra cotta floor vase, Italy, mid 19th century. A beautifully shaped work with sculpted stylized elements of twin seahorses, a symbol of good luck and prosperity in southern Italian culture. Creating a seamless dialogue between earth and water, the inherent warmth and texture of terra cotta render a dynamic interplay with the sinuous, contoured relief of the seahorse body. The curves of the vase follow the organic fluidity and elegant posture of the marine form, highlighted by carved linear ribbed horizontals, an elongated vertical spine and scrolling head-shaped handles.

The design is nuanced, yet the delicate sea creatures appear to be emerging from the vessel and draw your eye upward making this a great foundational piece in a room or on a terrace and an opportunity to create height with a small footprint. The vase displays a desirable weathered, earthen patina showing remnants of faded paint decoration giving it an ancient, timeless appeal. See less