Porcelain Figurines ‘Allegory of Art’ by Achille Mollica, 19th Century

Incredibly attractive antique porcelain figurines of women representing various arts. These bust-shaped figurines are hand-painted and were made by the Italian company Mollica in the late 19th century. The busts are mounted on tapering white square columns with stepped Greek-style bases decorated in gilt. At the bottom, there is a blue branding with a crown and an ‘M’.

The story of the Mollica family begins in Naples, where Giovanni Mollica and his sons opened their studio for producing both porcelain and earthenware in 1842. The brothers had an excellent instructor in their father, a former department head at the original Capodimonte factory under King Ferdinand.

By the late 1800s, Giovanni's three sons had taken over the operation. Of these three brothers, Achille Mollica received high praise for his painted vases and plates in the Renaissance style. Pieces by Mollica from the late 19th and early 20th centuries reached collectible status. The similarity between the Mollica mark and the Capodimonte mark was intentional, as the association with the Ginori factory was beneficial for both companies, offering consumers a familiar trademark to associate with. Between 1950 and 1970, the Mollica factory reached its zenith of popularity under the leadership of Carlo (Charles) Mollica. Notably, Mollica porcelains proved more popular than Ginori pieces, and Mollica is credited with reviving interest in Capodimonte porcelains in general. During this period, Mollica produced artwork equal to the finest pieces throughout Italy. The factory produced a wide range of products, from classical Capodimonte to Lenci-like Art Nouveau. Their ability to produce such diverse styles made them the envy of every factory in operation at the time.

Dimensions: Each figure is 29 cm high. The total weight of all four figures is 2,627 grams.

Condition: The figurine personifying painting has broken off the tips of the brush held in the girl's right hand. It should also be noted that it appears each figure is made of two parts—the bust itself and the column-shaped base. The artisans at the factory then glued these parts together, and if you use a magnifying glass, this connection point is visible. It can be seen in the enlarged photos. This shows an inexplicable carelessness for a company of such a high level. Otherwise, all figures are in excellent condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.