Vintage Italian Ceramic Bowl by Guido Gambone (circa 1930s)
SKU 1291
Decorative Italian ceramic fruit bowl by Guido Gambone (circa 1930s). Handmade and painted in a dreamy yellow glaze with crackle effect. The exterior is adorned with dimples below the lighter coloured lip. In fair overall condition commensurate with age. There are characterful marks and blemishes on the piece with some fade to the colour attesting to its age and interesting past. On the lip please note the dark markings on either side. Signed on the underside with Guido's trademark donkey indicating the town where fabricated, 'Vietri' (Sul Mare) where he worked in the 1930s (see bio below). Other words are illegible. This is a rare early piece by Gambone indeed and is nearing its 90th birthday. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video of the piece will be provided.
For your information, this gallery has several ceramic pieces by Guido Gambone and his son, Bruno. Please feel free to enquire on this platform.
About the Artist: Guido Gambone (1909–1969) is one of the most prominent Italian ceramicists of the 20th century. Guido Gambone defined a unique style in which he fused traditional ceramic methods with amorphous forms that echoed equally the art of the past and of his modern day. His dynamic objects, in which he often experimented with glazes and patterns, garnered great popularity and today are treasured holdings in private and museums collections such as the one at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Born in Montella in the southern Italian region of Campania, Gambone received his earliest training in the art of ceramics at the Manifattura Artistica Ceramica Salernitana in nearby Vietri sul Mare. He continued his studies at the Industria Ceramica Salernitana (I.C.S.) and eventually took over as director of the facility in 1935. The following year, he moved northward to Florence with fellow ceramicists Vincenzo Procida and Francesco Solimene to assist in the production of the Cantagalli ceramics company, which derived its name from founder Ulisse Cantagalli (1839–1901) and specialised in reviving the rich colours and patterns of the Maiolica tradition.
1950 marked the showcase of one of Gambone’s collaborative works at a group exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, and the following year Gambone enjoyed his first solo showing at the Galleria Il Milione in Milan. By the end of the decade, Gambone had achieved international acclaim for his pieces. Gambone died two years later at the age of 60.
Dimensions:
Dia 28 cm / 11"
H 8 cm / 3.1"