20th Century Vintage Ceramic Sculptures Orthodox Church and Casino of Sanremo, Italy, 1890s, Set of 2

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Description

MEASUREMENTS:
Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo: Height: 26.5 cm; Width: 28 cm; Depth: 14 cm; Weight: 1.124 kg
Sanremo Casino: … Read more MEASUREMENTS:
Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo: Height: 26.5 cm; Width: 28 cm; Depth: 14 cm; Weight: 1.124 kg
Sanremo Casino: Height: 15 cm; Width: 28 cm; Depth: 14 cm; Weight: 0.863 kg

Item :
Pair of antique souvenir sculptures in cast ceramic (ceramic with added kaolin, also known as soft porcelain), entirely finished with a rich polychrome decoration under the glaze and embellished with elegant highlights in pure gold. The sculptures reproduce, with great sculptural appeal, the famous Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo, flanked by a monumental palm tree in relief and a detailed and faithful model of the legendary Art Nouveau "Casino Sanremo" building, characterized by its historic symmetrical turrets and a monumental staircase leading down to a front tray that served as a coin tray or match holder. Functionally, the works were designed as scenic incense burners and pastilles: the internal structure is specifically hollow to accommodate incense cones or candles, allowing the light or fragrances to emanate evocatively from the cracks in the windows, while the side trays served as match holders or coin trays. Both pieces are striking for their exceptional visual impact and their decidedly generous dimensions compared to most similar pieces. These generous volumes, combined with a visible antique patina evenly distributed across the surface beneath the base, elevate these two pieces to important centerpieces or fireplace mantelpieces for art lovers and collectors.

Information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
The production of these cast models can be dated historically between the 1930s and 1950s, the golden age of elite tourism on the Riviera di Ponente. Ceramic manufacturers from Liguria (operating in the famous districts of Albisola, Savona, and Sanremo itself) or from the nearby Piedmont area typically created these pieces for the wealthy international clientele who frequented the Casino and the grand hotels along the coast. The iconography is faithfully inspired by the Church of Christ the Savior (commonly known as the Russian Church of Sanremo), an architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1913 based on a design by the renowned imperial architect Alexei Shchusev and under the direction of the Italian Pietro Agosti. The model of the Casino pays homage to the architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1905 based on a design by French architect Eugène Ferret. The stylistic combination present in these ceramics, where Siberian domes interact with exotic palm trees, perfectly expresses the fascinating cosmopolitan fusion that has made Sanremo famous worldwide. See less