A pair of ceramic wall sconces featuring polychrome figures, crafted by Alcyone of Marostica, Vicenza, Italy, in the 1950s by the artist Luigi Carron.
Carnival, with its vibrant colors and gentle excesses, continues to embody a Mediterranean spirit that Venice—a historical hub of cultural exchange—has elevated to international renown. The costumes, floats, and masks that animate the famous Italian lagoon in the days before Lent are vividly recalled in this pair of polychrome ceramic lamps. At the center of the irregularly shaped diffusers, a pair of exquisitely painted figurines appears to dance. Close inspection reveals the richness of their details and colors. A gold background, akin to a theatrical curtain before which the figurines dance, serves both to highlight the figures by creating a sense of depth and to reflect light when the lamps are lit.
Each sconce bears the Alcyone mark of Marostica, a traditional artisanal workshop near Vicenza, renowned for its decorative ceramic pieces. Created in the 1950s, the sconces exhibit the artistic style of Luigi Carron, a prominent figure in the Venetian art scene, sculptor, and applied arts instructor. The masks Carron chose to characterize this pair of sconces are among the most iconic from the rich tradition of Italian popular theater.
The first features Pulcinella, with his white outfit adorned with tassels, and the second depicts Pantalone, a burlesque Venetian character. Both can be appreciated for their aesthetic elegance and symbolic significance. Pulcinella represents the youthful commoner who cleverly extricates himself from trouble, while Pantalone serves as his perfect counterpart. Traditionally, Pantalone is identified as the avaricious and mocking elderly merchant who, having lost his youth, despises it. The quarrels and jests between these two characters form the basis of many memorable comedic scenes. Their proverbial wisdom remains relevant today in a society increasingly torn between the old and the new.
While these sconces might not entirely illuminate how to reconcile opposites—past and present, youth and old age—they certainly remind us of the lesson of Carnival, which renews and repeats itself each year: masks, like the beautiful things we cherish, are timeless.
Dimensions: 28x51x8.5 cm
