Vintage MCM Italian Marcello Fantoni art pottery drip glaze pillow vase, 1960s

Mid Century Modern art pottery pillow vase in multi-colored drip glazes by Marcello Fantoni, Florence, Italy, made for the American importer & retailer of Italian mid-century designs, Raymor. This art pottery, mid-size pillow-form vase has a short, narrow 1 inch diameter neck, and is decorated with dramatic multi-colored drip-glazes, with color gradations progressing from yellow, to orange, to green/brown, to brown, to cobalt blue, and then to a medium blue. It is marked with a painted glaze signature on the underside - " Fantoni ITALY for Raymor, " over which is affixed an original yellow and white paper label for the importer, "Raymor", founded by Irving Richards, in NYC, with an item number written in pen'2695'.

Richards became an important figure in the importing of modern design art and furnishings from Europe into the United States, and he worked directly with many of the most important designers of the time in helping to create the MCM design movement. He was born in Florence in 1915, and at the young age of only 12, he developed an interest in studying ceramic art at the Art Institute of Florence, with Carlo Guerrini.

Eventually, in 1936, he founded the Fantoni Ceramic Studio in Florence. He also worked for a while after the war for the Deruta majolica factory.

In 1970, he found the International School of Ceramic Art where he taught the craft to young students. His works appear in the collections of many museums, including: the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; Brooklyn Museum, NY; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and others.

Material: drip glazed hand-made stoneware pottery. Maker: Marcello Fantoni, of Fantoni Ceramic Studio, Florence, Italy. Size: 9 in length x 3 in.

Width x 6 3/4 in. Condition: very good pre-owned vintage condition, with one small chip to the glaze on the underside of the base. Examine photos for condition details.

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