Art-deco figurines from early 20th century hail from Italy
PTerry & Kim Kovel
airs of ceramic dancing figures in exotic costumes were favorites in the art-deco period, starting about 1920.
Many different pairs — about 19 or 20 inches high — have been selling with the mark “Cia Manna” and sometimes the added words “Turin, Italy.”
A search of old books and even new information online has offered little insight. The pairs of dancing figurines depict a woman and a man posing in exaggerated dance poses. Dozens of different pairs were made, most from 1925 to the 1950s.
An artist and designer named Mrs. Manna, who worked for the Lenci doll company, decided to form her own company in 1930. She named it Ceramica Italiana Artistica. The dancing figurines were marked “C.I.A. Manna.” Often the mark omitted the periods, so the first word looked like “Cia.” The company was in operation until the 1950s. The art-deco look is still popular, and most of the pairs have sold for $800 to $1,500.
Q: My great-aunt left a chair for me in her will. I had always admired it as a young girl because it is decorated with shiny pieces of shell and painted gold trim. The chair is black, lightweight, curvy and has a woven seat. I think it is made of papier-mache. Can you give me some history? When I show it to friends, they always ask how old it is.
A: It sounds as if you have an English papier-mache chair made in the 1850s. This type of furniture was popular from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. The process for making a hard paper product that could be sawed and glued like wood was invented by Henry Clay in 1772. The furniture could be made in molds. It became so popular, Birmingham and Wolverhampton, England, became the center of a new industry.
The first American factory was in Litchfield, Connecticut, from 1850 to 1854. Furniture was made in the same style as the wooden Victorian pieces. The chair base was made of papier-mache, lacquered and decorated with painted flowers and ornaments. Pieces were often given more decoration by gilding other patterns and using motherof-pearl inlay.
A small “slipper chair,” which is what you seem to have, sells today for about $1,000 in very good condition. Repairs are difficult and almost always show. CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
• Bride’s basket: silver plate, twist handle, ruffled cased cranberry glass insert, Forbes Silver Co.; 12 by 10 inches; $60
• Royal Dux vase: barefoot woman, molded leaves, stems, flowers, Gingko leaf handles, circa 1925; 16¼ inches; $125
• Edison phonograph: horn, white roses, green leaves, burgundy, oak case; 13 by 9½ inches; $220
• Baccarat paperweight: garland, arrowhead cane, red star cane, green, complex blue star, France, 1800s; 3 inches; $1,500
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel, authorities on collectibles, write for the King Features Syndicate. Visit www.kovels. com.