A wonderfully exuberant pair of vintage Italian ceramic lemon vases, made in Sicily and dating to approximately the 1970s. Bold, sculptural and unmistakably Mediterranean, these decorative vessels are completely enveloped in individually modeled lemons finished in a vivid glossy yellow glaze, creating a striking three-dimensional surface with tremendous visual impact.
Each vase is formed around a white glazed ceramic body, with layers of raised lemons arranged around the exterior in a dense, almost architectural composition. The fruits have been modeled with irregular naturalistic contours, pointed ends and lightly textured surfaces suggestive of real citrus peel. The brilliant yellow glaze gives the lemons a rich, saturated appearance, while the contrasting white ceramic visible at the opening and base provides a crisp visual counterpoint.
These pieces embody the playful, highly decorative approach to Italian ceramics that became particularly fashionable during the mid-to-late 20th century. Sicilian ceramic production has long celebrated the island’s agricultural and botanical imagery, and citrus fruit—particularly lemons—has become one of the region’s most recognizable decorative motifs. Here, the traditional subject is interpreted on an unusually bold scale, producing objects that function as much as sculpture as they do as vessels.
The pair is especially effective because of their generous proportions and strong symmetry. Displayed together, they create an impressive statement on a console, dining table, kitchen island, mantel or pair of pedestals. They would work beautifully in a Mediterranean, Palm Beach, Hollywood Regency, maximalist, coastal or eclectic interior. They may be displayed empty as sculptural objects, used as cachepots, or filled with flowers or foliage.
The highly dimensional lemon decoration gives the pair considerable presence even from across a room, while the glossy glaze catches light beautifully and emphasizes the hand-modelled character of the fruit.
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Period: Circa 1970s
Style: Mid-Century Italian / Mediterranean Decorative Arts
Material: Glazed ceramic
Decoration: Applied three-dimensional lemon motifs
Colour: Vibrant yellow with white glazed ceramic body
Quantity: Pair
Dimensions, each approximately:
11.75 in. H × 9.75 in. W
29.8 cm H × 24.8 cm W
Condition is consistent with age and use, with the handmade nature of the ceramics contributing to slight variations in form, glaze and surface texture. Please refer closely to the photographs for full condition details.
A particularly decorative and highly recognizable pair of vintage Sicilian ceramics, combining the joyful imagery of Mediterranean citrus with the bold scale and exuberance associated with 1970s Italian design.
A wonderfully exuberant pair of vintage Italian ceramic lemon vases, made in Sicily and dating to approximately the 1970s. Bold, sculptural and unmistakably Mediterranean, these decorative vessels are completely enveloped in individually modeled lemons finished in a vivid glossy yellow glaze, creating a striking three-dimensional surface with tremendous visual impact.
Each vase is formed around a white glazed ceramic body, with layers of raised lemons arranged around the exterior in a dense, almost architectural composition. The fruits have been modeled with irregular naturalistic contours, pointed ends and lightly textured surfaces suggestive of real citrus peel. The brilliant yellow glaze gives the lemons a rich, saturated appearance, while the contrasting white ceramic visible at the opening and base provides a crisp visual counterpoint.
These pieces embody the playful, highly decorative approach to Italian ceramics that became particularly fashionable during the mid-to-late 20th century. Sicilian ceramic production has long celebrated the island’s agricultural and botanical imagery, and citrus fruit—particularly lemons—has become one of the region’s most recognizable decorative motifs. Here, the traditional subject is interpreted on an unusually bold scale, producing objects that function as much as sculpture as they do as vessels.
The pair is especially effective because of their generous proportions and strong symmetry. Displayed together, they create an impressive statement on a console, dining table, kitchen island, mantel or pair of pedestals. They would work beautifully in a Mediterranean, Palm Beach, Hollywood Regency, maximalist, coastal or eclectic interior. They may be displayed empty as sculptural objects, used as cachepots, or filled with flowers or foliage.
The highly dimensional lemon decoration gives the pair considerable presence even from across a room, while the glossy glaze catches light beautifully and emphasizes the hand-modelled character of the fruit.
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Period: Circa 1970s
Style: Mid-Century Italian / Mediterranean Decorative Arts
Material: Glazed ceramic
Decoration: Applied three-dimensional lemon motifs
Colour: Vibrant yellow with white glazed ceramic body
Quantity: Pair
Dimensions, each approximately:
11.75 in. H × 9.75 in. W
29.8 cm H × 24.8 cm W
Condition is consistent with age and use, with the handmade nature of the ceramics contributing to slight variations in form, glaze and surface texture. Please refer closely to the photographs for full condition details.
A particularly decorative and highly recognizable pair of vintage Sicilian ceramics, combining the joyful imagery of Mediterranean citrus with the bold scale and exuberance associated with 1970s Italian design.
