RARE C. Mollica Italy Display Mother & Baby Beautiful! Start Price USD 780.00 Current Price USD 780.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 17, 2008 End Time Monday, November 24, 2008 Location Prescott, Arizona See more about 'RARE C. Mollica Italy Display Mother & Baby Beautiful! ' Description 11/21/08 >I decided to relist this RARE beauty just once more, with a lower starting bid, I assure you she is very much worth it!I will NOT list her again, it is just too pricey (ebay fee's) to list again, last chance. Thank you!ORIGINAL AUCTION IS AS FOLLOWS::: 11/09/08:I have added photo's of the display with the light under the dome on, per a few requests, I have many more if you would like to see them.Thanks for your requests! Also, per another request both she and the baby have blue eyes. There may be some glare from the lighting & flash, I assure you again there is no damage!!This auction features possibly a one of a kind piece of vintage European ceramic art with it's own custom fitted/made, filigree and brushed brass/metal, lighted display unit. I have been collecting Italian ceramics for about 5 years and I have yet to see something this grand, possibly a display for a fine department store, such as Saks or Marshall FieldsI am uncertain of the maker, I have tried to decipher it for some time now, researched to no avail,  However, it does have MADE ITALY embossed in the bottom along with a signature. I have rubbed a lead pencil over to make it stand out for you to see. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out this was made from someone that was attributed to the Lenci factory, it is JUST that well done!! The piece resembles works of of Cacciapuoti, Le Bertetti, Vacchetti or Essevi.The figurine of mother & child measures 18x8x9 inches. The display unit measures 21x20x12.There is NOTHING wrong condition wise concerning the ceramic, no damage at all to note, a bit of crazing is all I see. I honestly think she has remained in her hand shaped filigree, until I removed her to see any marks to identify her. Don't worry I was very careful in doing so!The condition of the display is pretty darn good as well, it was filthy when I received it, I used a mild soap to clean it and the figurine, it took me hours, it was just that filthy, but cleaned up beautifully as you can see. There is some paint on the top of the dome and a couple of minor dents to note. Nothing to deter from the value and beauty.The light works fine and when turned on it is a very elegant display!I will let the photos speak for themselves. If you want more photos, contact me.I will package very well, buyer is responsible for all shipping & insurance. It will be sent USPS or UPS, whichever you desire. I will only charge you what it costs to ship, no overhead. Please contact for shipping rates not within the US, again actual rates.Thanks & good luck!11/07/08: A kind fellow ebayer wrote me stating this is the works of C. Mollica, a competitor of Lenci.Thank you again Added 11/07/08: Walter Del Pellegrino writes and also advised me to date this from 1940-1960, instead of 1930-1940 as first thought.I THANK YOU Walter!Mollica The story of the Mollica family begins on #18 Saint Lucy Street in Naples when Giovanni Mollica and his brothers opened their studio for the production of both porcelain and earthernware in 1842. The brothers had a good instructor in their father, Pasquale, a former department head at the original Capodimonte factory under King Ferdinand. By the late 1800's Giovanni's three sons took over the operation. Of those three brothers, Achille Mollica received high praise for his painted vases and plates in the Renaissance style and pieces by Mollica during the late 19th and early 20th century reached collectable status. The mark used during this period was the letter M over a coronet (crown). The similarity between the Mollica mark and the Capodimonte mark was not accidental. The association with the Ginori factory was beneficial for both companies. It offered the consumer a familiar trademark to associate with. Between 1950 and 1970 the Mollica factory reached its zenith of popularity under the leadership of Carlo (Charles) Mollica who was related, by marriage, to Guido Cacciapuoti. As a matter of fact Mollica porcelains proved more popular than Ginori pieces and Mollica is credited with the revival in the interest in Capodimonte porcelains in general. During this period Mollica produced artwork equal to finest produced throughout Italy. The factory produced a wide range of products from classical Capodimonte to Lenci-like Art Nouveau. Their ability to produce such diverse styles made them the envy of every factory in operation at the time. By 1970 the factory began realizing financial difficulties and in order to cut costs they began making less complex pieces and using less costly ingredients. As a result quality began to slip and interest in Mollica porcelains faded away. The company closed its doors in 1978.    Walter Del Pellegrinowdel@italianpotterymarks.comThank you and good luck!!! Place a Bid!