Rare Pair of Majolica Parrots, late 19th c.

Rare Pair of Continental Majolica Parrots
Attributed to Hugo Lonitz & Co.
German, late 19th century

A striking and unusual pair of polychrome majolica parrots, each modeled perched atop a naturalistically rendered tree trunk with holly leaves and berries. Richly glazed in deep emerald green and oxblood red, the birds display exceptional surface detail throughout, from the layered plumage and expressive faces to the vividly colored tails and textured bark bases.

The sculptural quality and bold palette are characteristic of the finest production associated with Hugo Lonitz & Co. of Neuhaldensleben, one of the leading German ceramic manufactories of the late nineteenth century, celebrated for its highly naturalistic majolica models of animals, birds, and botanical subjects. Founded in 1868, the firm gained international recognition for its inventive forms, richly saturated glazes, and technical sophistication, exhibiting widely throughout Europe and at major world’s fairs.

Highly sculptural in presence, the pair work equally well on brackets, consoles, or flanking a mantel, where their strong silhouettes and vibrant glazing can be fully appreciated.