The figure “Zizì, The Walk” by the Lenci Manufacture, designed by Helen König Scavini, is an emblematic example of Italian production between the 1920s and 1930s, in which art, design and bourgeois taste merge into a modern and immediately recognisable language. Founded in Turin in 1919, the Lenci Manufacture established itself as one of the leading centres of excellence in 20th-century ceramics and decorative arts.
In this work, the female figure is portrayed during an elegant everyday moment, walking with a small dog. However, the composition is distinguished above all by the stylised and refined rendering of the figure: the elongated proportions, smooth face and composed expression reflect a typically Art Deco taste, focused on the synthesis of forms and the purity of lines.
Furthermore, the clothing—with a geometrically patterned dress and brightly coloured accessories such as the hat and scarf—demonstrates careful attention to contemporary fashion. The bright yet controlled polychromy enhances the details without weighing down the overall composition.
Moreover, works such as this reflect a new conception of the artistic object, intended not only as a decorative element but also as an expression of a modern lifestyle. Overall, “Zizì, The Walk” combines formal elegance, narrative immediacy and quality of execution, fully embodying the spirit of Lenci production.
Description: Glazed terracotta sculpture, marked beneath the base “Lenci / Made in Italy / Torino – XII / Ne”, c. 1935, H 39 × 17 cm (minor restorations).
Bibliography: “Lenci – Ceramics 1919–1937”, Luciano Proverbio, 1986.
Hammer Price: € 7.192,00
Auction 13 – December 2nd 2016 – Jewels – Silver – Art Objects – Glasses
Explore all the top lots from our 20th Century Decorative Art auctions!
Do you own a work by Helen Konig Scavini? Request a free valuation now!
Contact us:
