Stunning Art Deco Large Nude ‘C.I.A. MANNA’ Pottery Figurine

This amazing tall art deco pottery figurine from the 1930/40’s was made and decorated by Mrs. Manna, who worked for the well-known ‘Lenci’ Italian factory, and went on to form her own company in the 1930’s ‘Ceramica Italiana Artistica’ (C.I.A.) based in Torino, Italy. She then used the trade mark ‘C.I.A.  MANNA’. The young semi-nude woman is caring an urn on her head and wearing a beautifully painted and glazed long skirt and head scarf. She is signed in black on the base ‘C.I.A. MANNA’, ‘TORINO’, ‘PORTATRICE. AFRICAN’. ‘No. 373’. Her pieces have now become very sought after, and have been fetching very high prices of up to R20 000. Other than a very minor factory flaw under her one arm, she is in excellent condition. She stands 54cm high, has a base diameter of 14,4cm, and measures 19,5cm at its widest and weighs 1500g.