2 ANTIQUE HAND CARVED ITALIAN SCULPTURES. BELIEVED TO BE PRE 1930'S UNSURE OF THE MATERIAL OF THE SCULPTURES. COULD BE IVORY ,, CARRERA MARBLE ALABASTER ETC.,???????
MY GREAT AUNT LEOLE HAD PURCHASED THESE WHILE TRAVELING IN ITALY AND WERE PASSED DOWN TO ME.
These are a pair of antique 19th century Continental figurines that are made from parian ware. Parian ware was developed in Staffordshire, England in 1845 by Mintons. It is a type high fired porcelain that was made to imitate the look and feel of marble. These are not carved sculptures, they were molded and made in multiples. Parian was soon picked up and made by UK and European makers throughout the second half of the 19th century. You may want to check the undersides and backsides near the base at the bottom for any impressioned maker marks or stamps. Mintons is one of the most desirable and collected Parian ware producers; the vast majority or the rest of parian figures by other makers just has not caught on as a high commodity collectible on today's market. The estimate is for the pair together and based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables.