Large Vintage 1950s Ronzan Italian Ceramic Lady Figurine Floral Ball Gown Giovanni Ronzan 15”
This is an exceptionally large vintage Italian ceramic figurine by Ronzan, depicting an elegant young woman in a sweeping floral ball gown. Standing an impressive 15 inches in height, this dramatic figure is a wonderful example of the glamorous decorative ceramics produced in Italy during the 1950s.
The figure portrays a blonde woman gracefully lifting one side of her voluminous gown, creating a wonderful sense of movement throughout the composition. Her pale blue-white dress cascades in deeply modelled folds and tiers, lavishly decorated with colourful flowers in shades of pink, yellow, blue and violet. A large pale yellow bow sweeps dramatically from the back of the gown, while a blue-grey necklace and delicate hand-painted facial features complete the sophisticated design.
The modelling is particularly striking when viewed from different angles. The billowing skirt has an almost theatrical quality, with its dramatic folds and expanses of hand-painted flowers giving the figure a strong sculptural presence. At 15 inches tall and nearly 12 inches wide, this is a substantial decorative piece that makes an impressive display.
Giovanni Ronzan worked for the celebrated Italian ceramic firm Lenci from 1930 until 1939, when he left to establish his own company with his brothers. This figure bears the Ronzan Made in Italy mark on the underside, together with an Italian industrial acceptance seal. The number 434 is also handwritten on the base, presumably identifying the model or design.
I believe the mark on this figure is associated with Ronzan's Bassano factory and was in use from approximately 1953, making a circa 1950s date appropriate for the piece.
The figurine measures:
Height: 15 inches
Width: 11 3/4 inches
Depth: 11 inches
The figure displays beautifully but does have some damage that should be noted. There is a crack at the point where the woman's raised hand meets the skirt of her dress, suggesting that the piece received an impact in this area at some point. The hand remains attached, and in my opinion the damage could be fairly easily repaired or camouflaged by a professional restorer if desired. There is also a hairline visible on the underside of the base; this appears restricted to the underside and does not extend visibly onto the displayed exterior of the figure. Please examine the detailed photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.
Despite these condition issues, this remains an exceptionally decorative and impressive example of mid-century Italian ceramic artistry. Its combination of monumental size, elegant modelling, delicate floral decoration and unmistakable 1950s glamour makes it a striking piece for a collection of Ronzan ceramics, Italian pottery, mid-century decorative arts or vintage lady figurines.