Vintage Ceramic Souvenir Sanremo and Russian Orthodox Church Sculptures, Italy, 1890s, Set of 2

Details

Description

MEASUREMENTS:
Old Sanremo: Height: 25.5 cm; Width: 22.5 cm; Depth: 16 cm; Weight: 1.375 kg
Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo: … Read more MEASUREMENTS:
Old Sanremo: Height: 25.5 cm; Width: 22.5 cm; Depth: 16 cm; Weight: 1.375 kg
Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo: Height: 22 cm; Width: 20 cm; Depth: 13.5 cm; Weight: 0.910 kg

Item :
Pair of vintage souvenir sculptures in cast ceramic (ceramic with added kaolin, also known as soft porcelain), entirely finished with a rich polychrome underglaze decoration and embellished with elegant pure gold highlights. The two objects celebrate the iconic symbols of the Ligurian city: the first piece depicts a characteristic and evocative view of "Old Sanremo" (the historic center of Pigna), complete with an arched door, a relief lantern, and an imposing palm tree; The second piece reproduces, with great sculptural charm, the famous Russian Orthodox Church of Sanremo. Originally conceived as incense burners and desk pastilles, both pieces feature a hollow structure that allowed the light of a candle or the smoke of incense to romantically emerge from the windows and arched openings. The two sculptures boast excellent dimensions and an extraordinary visual impact, enhanced by a clear patina of age, particularly visible under the base, which attests to their authenticity.
Useful information for evaluating the object:
In our online searches, we found several similar sculptures offered on other art and antiques websites at prices ranging from €100 to €400 for a single sculpture, and this particular pair, in our opinion, has an estimate of between €300 and €500 combined. Strongly supporting this price and pushing the lot toward its highest market value is the rarity of the "oversized" format, significantly rarer and more sought-after by collectors than the pocket-sized or miniature souvenirs popular at the time. Furthermore, since these are two different, complementary subjects, combining the historic charm of the old city with one of Sanremo's most important churches, their value as a coordinated pair is amplified. Finally, the perfect legibility of the original calligraphic inscription "VECCHIA SANREMO" on one of the two sculptures, combined with the splendid durability of the gold finishes, usually subject to easy wear from rubbing, significantly increase the pair's collectible value.

Information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
These impressive cast models were created between the 1930s and 1950s, coinciding with the golden age of international tourism that made the Riviera di Ponente a favorite destination. This type of artistic production was carried out by renowned Ligurian ceramic workshops (operating in the celebrated districts of Albisola, Savona, and Sanremo itself) or by the nearby Piedmontese school, specializing in supplying the luxury shops that gravitated around the large hotels and gambling halls of the coast. from an artistic perspective, the subjects are a perfect manifestation of the Italian Art Deco and Liberty style: while the view of "Old Sanremo" captures the picturesque, medieval soul of the Ligurian city, the iconography of the Church of Christ the Savior (commonly known as the Russian Church of Sanremo) is faithfully inspired by the architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1913, designed by the renowned imperial architect Alexei Shchusev and under the direction of the Italian Pietro Agosti. This fascinating fusion of artisanal excellence, territorial memory, and grand architecture makes these pieces precious testimonies to the history of twentieth-century costume and design. See less