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Pair Italian Chinoiserie Porcelain Nodding Head Figures, Mid 20th Century, Italy

About the Item

A fine pair of Italian porcelain chinoiserie nodding head figures of a Chinese Mandarin couple, made for the Marbo Lamp Company, circa 1960's, Inlay. The charming figures portrayed standing upon short plinths and dressed elegantly in sumptuous gilt decorated robes of peach and surcoats of vermillion red. The male wears a shorter jacket decorated with a gilt cockatrice and holds a bird in his outstretched hand, a summer court hat upon his head. The female wears a longer surcoat decorated with a scrolling acanthus motif and holding a rose in her outstretched hand, her hair up in an elaborate fan shaped chignon. Both hold kerchiefs at their sides. The removable, nodding heads modeled separately, and are fitted with metal weights. Signed "Italy" and stamped "For Marbro Lamp Company". We have seen the same figures stamped with the Mottahedeh mark, indicating these figures were produced by an outside factory for a few select retailers.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1960s
  • Condition:
    Additions or alterations made to the original: The heads with additional weights attached by tape. Wear consistent with age and use. The male with an age related crack as seen in photos. Both with dust and grime to the crevices.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894710062511
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