ARS PULCHRA - EPIGONO LENCI, Pinocchio and characters, ceramic centerpiece/pocket emptier

Very rare centerpiece/pocket emptier in polychrome ceramic, hand-decorated, produced by ARS PULCHRA EPIGONO LENCI, Turin. Dimensions: Height 16.5 cm Diameter 24.5 cm Under the base, it bears the hand-painted inscription in black "ARS PULCHRA TORINO ITALIA N.1105" and the manufacturer's mark. The design of the work revolves around the circular green base on which four groups of figures are arranged, taken from Collodi's famous comedy "The Adventures of Pinocchio. Story of a Puppet" from the late 19th century. Clockwise, we find Pinocchio on the whale, the cat and the fox in a very stylized form, the Blue Fairy, and finally, Master Geppetto. The "Ars Pulchra" factory was founded in Turin by Bartolomeo Camisassa and his wife Maria Clotilde on July 30, 1935. The production, directed by Bartolomeo Camisassa himself, formerly an employee of the Turin ceramic factory "Lenci," is based on the creation of artistic ceramics and small sculptures depicting women in the style of Gino Boccasile's "big names," subjects of national folklore, and religious themes. The subjects produced, of good quality and painted in rich and lively colors, manage to establish themselves both in national and foreign markets. The factory availed itself, among others, of the collaboration of the modeler Mario Mesini, the caricaturist Piero Cattaneo, the painter and ceramicist Camillo Ghigo (known as Mastro Ghigo), Lino Berzoini, Otto Maraini, already collaborators of "Lenci," the head molder Ugo Rossignoli and the miniaturist painter Elisabetta Viarengo Miniotti. The factory ceased production in 1962. In good condition. Packaging and transport will be carried out professionally. We ship worldwide. The estimated shipping time is generally 1 to 7 business days. Further photos will be sent on request. The item is available at our shop located in Turin in via Monte di Pietà 23/i, regularly open 6 days out of 7. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.