Art deco alabaster hand painted lamp by Italian master Albino Funaioli, recognized as one of the greatest artisans in alabaster. Signed A Funaioli on the reverse of one of the fan shaped pieces of alabaster.
Width: 11.75 inches
Height: 12 inches

Several fans and part of the base either cracked broken and re glued in different parts. Hand painted.

(From Alabaster from Volterra):Albino Funaioli was, essentially, a great and very original master of that ancient art defined as glittica (or the art of carving) and several works might be defined cameos. Sculpting alabaster to make cameos or bas-reliefs with a smooth and designed surface is a technique of high quality and it needs particular tools that had surely been specially made for that purpose. The process includes a rough hewing, or a draft of the layout, followed by finishing and polishing. Probably the artist used the lathe operator. The beautiful existing draft designs confirm that he used to sketch his ideas before sculpting. The works of this artist from Volterra who mainly worked in Florence and in London, although he remained linked to his birth place, were made for educated and aristocratic clients. He depicted the ruling classes for whom he worked in a celebrative way, and his works are clear expressions of a prestigious craftsmanship that was appreciated and praised.

see above