Lenci ceramic
Doll by Beatrice Brandini
In 1919, Enrico Scavini and his wife Elena König founded a factory in Turin that produced rag dolls. The extraordinary nature of these dolls is a special process which consists of working the scraps of felt by hot pressing them inside metal moulds.
Lenci ceramic
Lenci ceramic
This type of doll soon became known and appreciated throughout the world, also thanks to its “modernity” as it differs from the dolls of the period which were characterized by ceramic heads. Lenci dolls participate in important exhibitions such as the Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Monza, in 1923, the National Exhibition in Turin, in 1929, and above all at the International Exhibition in Paris, in 1925. In the same period he also began producing ceramics (1928), which included among his artists for the creation of sketches or drawings, Gigi Chessa, Felice Tosalli, Mario Sturani, Sandro Vacchetti, Marcello Dudovich and many others.
Lenci doll
Lenci doll (Finarte auction house)
But despite an ever-increasing popularity (the employees had become 600), which was also reflected in excellent sales, the crisis of 1929 forced the Scavini couple to accept an external partner, Pilade Garella, who in 1937 became the sole owner. The Garella family resisted until 1997, when ownership passed to Bambole Italiane srl which went bankrupt in 2002 and definitively closed production.
Lenci ceramic
Lenci ceramic
Lenci ceramic
The press of the time testified on various occasions to the artistic value of the Lenci company, in 1929 for example the magazine Domus published Adolescenti and Gli sposi by Giovanni Grande, just as Casa Bella or Marianna, two of the most popular magazines of the time, published several images of Lenci ceramics.
Angel Lenci (private collection)
Lenci doll (private collection)
I have always wondered why no Italian toy or design brand has not tried, more recently, to buy back the rights, attributing the archives to themselves. Because in my opinion, and I really think I’m in good company, Lenci ceramics and dolls were extraordinary. The elegance of the faces, the sinuosity of the poses, the expressiveness were and still remain unique. When you handle a Lenci product you understand that you are touching something exceptionally artistic. The workmanship of these extraordinary dolls (hand-sewn clothes and delicately painted faces) and ceramics made them desirable and lovable in a transversal way.
Publications on the history of Lenci manufacturing
Publications on the history of Lenci manufacturing
The dream of this company began with Mrs. Elena Koning, Scavini’s wife, whom her father affectionately called Helenchen (German diminutive of Helen), who later became Lenci. In over eighty years of activity, many of the successes are due to the genius of its founder, which is why even when Piliade Garella, the company’s accountant, became sole owner, she hired Mrs. Lenci as artistic director.
Publications on the history of Lenci manufacturing
Publications on the history of Lenci manufacturing
Lenci ceramics are today collector’s items, present, at often unaffordable prices, in the most important auctions and antiques fairs. There are also many publications that have traced the glory of this great Italian company.
Lenci sculpture (private collection)
Good life to everyone!
Beatrice