Editor’s Pick from Wunder Kammer
Gilded Ceramic Dog on faux Marble Base – Italy – c.1950s
Provenance
Originating from Northern Italy and likely produced during the 1950s–60s, this piece reflects the rise of the Hollywood Regency aesthetic in postwar Europe. Gilded ceramics like this — with their sheen, charm, and classically inspired forms — were especially beloved in Italian interiors that balanced nostalgia with glamour.
Such pieces were found in high-end interior boutiques across Milan, Florence, and Rome, adorning consoles, marble mantelpieces, and mirrors in everything from aristocratic villas to Art Deco apartments with cosmopolitan flair.
This particular sculpture was discovered at an antique market just outside Turin, a region where midcentury decorative ceramics still circulate. The seller referred to it as a classic export piece, made to meet the growing demand for “Hollywood-style interiors” in postwar Europe — where wealth, playfulness, and retro opulence coexisted.
Style & Period
This sculpture blends influences from several stylistic periods into one bold decorative object:
Style:
The sculptural form and elegant fur detailing are clearly rooted in neoclassicism, with baroque flourishes visible in the curled paws and graceful posture. Its gilded surface and marble-style base elevate it into a Hollywood Regency statement — bold, glossy, and slightly ironic.
Period:
Likely produced between 1950 and 1970, this work fits within the European revival of decorative luxury. While the style nods to earlier centuries, it’s a textbook example of mid-20th century reinterpretation — stylish, with a wink.
Description & Function
The object features a reclining spaniel, with a gentle expression, long ears, and elegantly crossed front paws. Made of ceramic with a gold-tone glaze, it rests on a heavy faux-marble base in warm yellow tones.
Perfect as a statement piece on a fireplace mantel, console, or side table. Both classically refined and ironically chic — the kind of object that invites curiosity and conversation. Pairs beautifully with travertine, velvet, or minimalist contemporary art.
Material & Finish
-
Gilded ceramic with a smooth, reflective glaze
-
Base of yellow marbled composite or resin
-
No signature underneath; base is slightly hollow
-
The detailing in the fur, paws, and snout is unusually fine for a piece of this era
Dimensions
-
Length: approx. 28 cm
-
Height: approx. 14 cm
-
Depth: approx. 12 cm
-
Weight: ± 1.2 kg
Condition
Excellent vintage condition.
No chips or cracks.
Minor wear on the underside of the base and slight patina in the glaze — appropriate for its age and use, without compromising its shine or elegance.
Shipping Info
Ships from Italy 🇮🇹
-
Secure packaging with bubble wrap & double boxing
-
Shipping to NL from €15 via Poste Italiane (tracked)
-
Express delivery via DHL or UPS available upon request
