Brutalist Vases by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor

This hand decorated midcentury ceramic vase was designed by highly regarded Italian sculptor Marcello Fantoni for American importer Raymor. The 13" tall vase has a flattened double gourd form and features colorful glaze executed in shades of blue, green, purple, blue and black. As seen in the accompanying photographs the glaze has a textural, layered quality with long drips and alligatored areas characteristic of the complexity of Fantoni's work. The underside of the piece is signed Fantoni for Raymor along with its country of origin, Italy. A striking example of fine ceramics well suited as an addition to an existing collection of Fantoni pieces or to a wider assembly of fine midcentury ceramics...

Marcello Fantoni (1915-2011) sculptor, ceramicist, metalworker, multi-media artist and designer Born in Florence in 1915, Marcello Fantoni began studying ceramic art at age 12 at the Art Institute of Florence with ceramicist Carlo Guerrini, artistic director of the famed Cantagalli Factory. He continued years of training in ceramics and the arts, including sculpture with Libero Andreotti and Bruno Innocenti, and figurative art with Gianni Vagnetti, graduating as a maestro of art in 1934. After a stint as art director for a ceramics factory in Perugia, in 1936 he opened the Fantoni Ceramic Studio in Florence. Here he produced ceramic series as well as unique pieces, sculptures and furnishings. In 1937 Fantoni’s pieces were exhibited in the Florence National Arts and Crafts Exhibit where their unique combination of rustic forms decorated with African and marine motifs and painted figures garnered considerable acclaim. By the start of World War II Fantoni’s melding of ancient Italian pottery techniques with decidedly Modernist elements had won him artistic and commercial success both in Italy and abroad. Having participated in the resistance, after the War Fantoni worked for the 500-year old Maiolica factory in Deruta, Umbria, renowned for its signature tin-glazed pottery. In the 1950s he refocused on his Florence studio, dedicating himself to larger sculptural pieces...

The vintage ceramic jug vase by Marcello Fantoni from the 1960s is an exceptional and artistic piece that exemplifies the mastery of Italian cerami...

Marcello Fantoni (1915 - 2011) was born in Florence, Italy. With a vast career in the arts showcasing his talent in sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, multi-media and even designer, Marcello Fantoni's work was exhibited in the MoMA New York; Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York...

Marcello Fantoni (1915 - 2011) was born in Florence, Italy. With a vast career in the arts showcasing his talent in sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, multi-media and even designer, Marcello Fantoni's work was exhibited in the MoMA New York; Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York...

Marcello Fantoni (1915 - 2011) was born in Florence, Italy. With a vast career in the arts showcasing his talent in sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, multi-media and even designer, Marcello Fantoni's work was exhibited in the MoMA New York; Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York...