Pair Of Ceramic Sculptures From Nove Di Bassano Depicting Poodles

Mid-19th century, Veneto
Pair of poodles with bone
Monochrome glazed ceramic, H 24 x Base 20 x 11

This pair of ceramic sculptures depicts two poodles sitting on moulded bases with an irregular shape. The subjects are characterised by accurate anatomical and stylistic rendering: the trunk and limbs are treated with smooth, glossy surfaces, while the head, neck, chest and extremities of the limbs feature a “curly” coating obtained using a technique known as “barbotine” or “applied relief”, which recreates the woolly effect of poodle fur.
The sculptures are made of glazed ceramic, with a thin network of craquelure that bears witness to the firing and subsequent vitrification of the coating. The complete monochrome colour scheme gives the works an elegant and refined appearance.
Given the subject matter and technique used, the sculptures may have been made by the Nove di Bassano workshop, which has been active since the 18th century and is known for its high-quality majolica and porcelain. The proximity to Bassano del Grappa and the presence of high-quality clay, together with the ceramic tradition rooted in the Veneto region, favoured the emergence of a production centre that distinguished itself in Italy and abroad.
In the 19th century, the Nove factory continued the figurative tradition with animal subjects, busts and decorative figures, often made in late Rococo style or in neoclassical forms. The use of the “barbotine” technique (a liquid clay mixture applied with a brush or spray) made it possible to obtain relief surfaces, as in the case of the curls of the poodles, creating a textured effect with a striking decorative impact.
The shaped bases are typical of mantelpiece or sideboard sculptures, designed to be displayed in aristocratic or bourgeois settings as a symbol of taste and social status.
This pair of ceramic poodles from Nove di Bassano is a fine example of early 19th-century Venetian figurative art, combining technical skill, naturalistic rendering and refined decoration. They bear witness to the craftsmanship and ornamental taste of an era that sought not only practicality but also significant aesthetic value in ceramics.

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