UNUSED MARCELLO FANTONI ASHTRAY FOR RAYMOR (ITALY)

A beautiful abstract discus form ashtray or bowl, made from a wonderfully textural chamotte clay and produced in the studio of Marcello Fantoni for distribution in the United States by Raymor.  This item appears to have never been used and remains in excellent vintage condition.  We think it would be perfect as a vide-poche at the main entry of any modern home. MARCELLO FANTONI was born in Florence in 1915.  He began his studies at the Instituto d’Arte Porta Romana in Florence at the age of twelve under the great ceramicist Carlo Guerrini, then the creative director of the famed Cantagalli Factory.  Fantoni's training in the arts included sculpture classes with Libero Andreotti and Bruno Innocenti and instruction in figure drawing with the painter Gianni Vagnetti; he finally graduated from the institute as a maestro in 1934.  Upon completing a stint as the art director of a ceramics factory in Perugia, he opened the Fantoni Ceramic Studio in Florence in 1936 where he produced both s