Pair of Fratelli Fanciullacci vases, sgraffito decoration with stylised figures,

Pair of large ceramic vases from the Fratelli Fanciullacci factory, one of the emblematic houses of post-war Tuscan ceramics, located in the Florence region. Its production from the 1950s to 1960s, bold and graphic, is now highly sought after by enthusiasts of mid-century Italian design. The vases are baluster-shaped, with a bulging body and a long flared neck. The entire surface is finely incised with tightly spaced horizontal lines, giving the background a woven or coiled thread appearance. Against this sandy and brown background, two stylised female silhouettes inspired by African art stand out, glazed in slight relief: One wears an orange fan-shaped headdress and a draped dress with black, white, and orange stripes; The other wears a yellow headdress and a dress with light green and sky blue bands. The two figures face each other. Their elongated silhouettes, long legs in black lines, and minimalist profiles evoke the African art that fascinated European creators at the time. On the reverse, a vertical line punctuated with orange and brown beads, like a necklace, runs down the vase. It is accompanied by white, blue, and grey glazed diamonds and trapezoids. The interior is finished in matte white glaze. These vases exemplify the taste for primitivism and African-inspired motifs that permeated Italian ceramics of the 1950s and 1960s. The contrast between the raw material of the background and the solid colours of the figures adds to their charm. The pair is suitable for a symmetrical display on a console, fireplace, or sideboard. Dimensions (each vase) Height: 36 cm. Width: 18 cm. Condition. Very good vintage condition. The glazes are vibrant, and there are no chips or cracks. The bases bear incised marks and remnants of original labels, as well as slight signs of age-related wear. Era / Style. 1950s–1960s, mid-century Italian design, primitivism. Material. Glazed ceramic, sgraffito decoration. Designer / Maker.