ITALY - X2 Seahorse lights Manifattura Artistica Ceramica Salernitana

From eBay. I can see ITALY in the text. Wiring and top fitting look C20th mid. 50s,60s,70s?

All guesses welcome. Thanks

Were they originally lamps? At first sight I thought they were licqour bottles. Then I wondered if they were candlesticks. I assume they were wall mounted lights.

Naomi - Always wall lamps. I assume for the bathroom...



Not IP rated. 

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Interesting one this time. I looked on various websites and searched through hundreds of marks looking for a little seahorse that matched.... but nothing. Much of the text on the base is meaningless to me except 'ITALY', but at least I knew I had the right country. I took Naomi's advise and searched through and finally found a nice forum dedicated to Italian ceramics and Walter Del Pellegrino kindly posted this reply to my images.

You have two absolutely delightful examples from the pottery of "Manifattura Artistica Ceramica Salernitana" (Artistic Ceramic Makers of Salerno) but perhaps better known simply as MACS. The company existed from 1937 to 1947 in the region of southern Italy known as Campania. Pieces produced at MACS are highly collectible and can often fetch hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. The reason for this was the studio's close association with some of the most important ceramists and artists of the period. Among these were Max Malamerson, owner of ICS, Guido Gambone and Salvatore Procida. Many other names, unfamiliar to Americans, can be added to the list. You have discovered two treasures with some considerable worth. Below is a link to an article I wrote about ICS, which like MACS, was co-owned by Malamerson. The two studios shared the same artists and a closely related history.
Walter Del Pellegrino

http://italianpotterymarks.freeforums.org/x2-seahorse-wall-lights-italy-t1604.html

Apparently they are of a similar ilk to ICS. The link Walter very kindly provided to his own article is also of value.

http://italianpotterymarks.freeforums.org/i-c-s-industria-ceramica-salernitana-1927-1940-t126.html

Uber thanks to Walter and also Niomi, otherwise I would have given up on them.

 

Oddly enough I came across a piece marked Artistica Ceramica Salernitana today and was wondering what it was. Must go back and take a closer look.

Niomi, it's well worth checking, there is even a little donkey and cart on eaby now from ICS at £500 with x20 odd watchers. It's easily overlooked. That's the second good find I've had in a month.... need to buy more stuff... I think I'm on a roll, need to buy a lottery ticket.

This site was also useful in my search;

www.archivioceramica.com

Useful site