Rare large Ugo Zaccagnini Terracotta Boxer Dog Statue 1937-1950's

Description

Made in the Ugo Zaccagnini Factory this rare model terracotta boxer dog was made between 1937 and the later 1950’s. The statue measures
61 cm to the tip of his ears. The plinth on
which he sits measures approx. 20 cm in width and 32 cm in length. Total weight is 13 kilo’s. His bronzed style finish really shows all the anatomy details of this beautiful dog.The muscles and ribs are all visible. It is very detailed , extremely well executed. It is engraved with the Z and scroll mark on one side of the plinth and marked underneath in paint. (See photographs). It has a few places with some paint loss but this doesn’t take anything away from it’s enormous appeal. I have had him on display for over 25 years and I can tell you he is a real eye-catcher. It is priced according to the
prices for similar Zaccagnini collectibles that I have seen sold over the past years. You can do your own research on the internet. I am not in a rush selling it so offers have to be very near the asking price. The shipping will be door to door with full insurance.
Zaccagnini History
Ugo Zaccagnini began his career at the Ginori factory in the 19th century and left Ginori in 1891 to open his own studio in Florence. In 1896 Ugo closed his studio and entered into a partnership with six of the most talented artisans and craftsmen in Florence at the time. The new company was named “La Societa Industriale per Fabbricazione della Maioliche Artistiche “ (The Society for Industrial Fabrication of Majolica Art) and was known by the acronym SIFMA.
In 1905 Ugo left SIFMA to once again open his own ceramics factory in Florence. His five children joined him and the company was named “Manifattura Ugo Zaccagnini e figli” ("Manufacturer Ugo Zaccagnini and Sons"). It should be noted, however, that two of his five children were daughters (Adele and Enrichetta) who also worked in the factory. The logo was the initials of the company - inside a triangle was the letter F atop the letters UMZ.
Ugo had been the master sculptor and model maker during his years at Ginori and SIFMA but at SIFMA the production was confined to recreating traditional the Renaissance style of 15th and 16th century majolica for which Italy was famous. Ugo, on the other hand was enamored of the Art Nouveau movement and saw in its elements an unprecedented freedom of design possibilities. This artistic difference is essentially what caused the break up of SIFMA. So, in his new studio Ugo produced both the standard offerings of the traditional Italian potter and new and surprising artistic creations that caught the attention of the art world. Zaccagnini would eventually become famous for both his Art Nouveau and later his Art Deco figures. While pieces bearing the FUMZ mark can be had for as little as ten dollars his Art Deco figures can rise into the thousands of dollars.
Zaccagnini past away in 1937 at the age of sixty-nine. In the thirty-one he had spent building his reputation and his factory he garnered worldwide recognition and his company had grown to more that 120 employees. The firm’s overall management became the responsibility of Ugo’s second eldest son, Urbano (1901-1964). That year the family changed the name of the company to "Societ Anonima Ceramiche Zaccagnini" (Ceramic Joint-stock companies Zaccagnini) and created a new company logo – A capital “Z” with a squiggly line through it. This was a tribute to their father and founder of the company. The squiggle represented Monte Oliveto (Mount Olive}. During his lifetime Ugo often remarked that the view of the Tuscan hillside and Monte Oliveto that he looked upon each day from his office was “the most beautiful view out of any window in Europe.”
Urbano immediately set about to alter the company’s direction. He began to concentrate the factory’s production almost exclusively to decorative ceramics, mostly in the form of figurines and other decorative items. The company developed a line of very popular animal figurine and graceful women in the Art Deco style. Urbano made exporting Zaccagnini ceramics his major goal and North America was his primary target. He developed strong ties with American importers and he personally made numerous trips to America in order to meet face to face with clients. Zaccagnini figurines began appearing in stores such as Tiffany’s. In 1938 Urbano obtained a license from Walt Disney Productions to create, in clay, the famous animated characters born at Disney’s studios.
In 1958 Urbano, after twenty years of successful leadership, left the company to open his own ceramics studio, “Urbano Zaccagnini Ceramiche Artistiche ". Urbano died in 1964 his studio. which is still active, was taken over by his children and grandchildren,
Pieces containing the written script “Zaccagnini” were first used in 1938 for the Disney series and later to signify limited edition pieces. Sometimes the signature mark was used in conjunction with the more famous “Z” with the squiggle. After Urbano left the company the signature logo replaced the “Z” completely.
Pietro, Urbano’s older brother, died in 1954 and brother Prisco past away in 1965. This left the company to the sisters Adele and Enrichetta, both of whom had originally been potters in their father’s shop, and the grandchildren of Ugo. The company continued its operation but it had lost much of its former luster. In the 1980’s firm turned to the exclusive production of expensive lamp bases for high end lamp manufacturers. Many of these were created from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco molds made in thirties and forties. Many of these bear the Zaccagnini signature and often command premium prices. The company closed in 2000 but many of the family members have opened their own studios in and around Florence.
If you have any questions or want more detailed pictures please email. Please make sure before you bid that you have asked everything you wanted to know about this item and that it is the item you want. Thankyou. Please inquire about postage costs inside Europe. Postage stated for the USA is priority registered mail.Check out my
other items
!Be sure to add me to your
favorites list
!
Stores
PRIORITY REGISTERED MAIL
Stores
Sorry only registered mail as eBay requires proof of postage.
Please inquire about shipping costs outside the U.S. before you bid on this item. The shipping quoted is for the U.S. only.