Lenci Skier

The Italian firm of Lenci are more noted for their dolls so it was unusual to see for sale in Toovey’s September 2006 auction, an Art Deco Lenci pottery figure of a skier, circa 1930. Standing with her hands on her hips holding two wooden ski poles, wearing a colourful head scarf and mittens, raised on a lozenge shaped base, black script mark 'Lenci' and applied paper label, incised sculptor’s name 'A. Sacopi (?), height approx 43cm.

It had an estimate of £500-800. The actual hammer price of £1200 (plus auction house commission of 20.563% = approx £1446) showed the interest a rare quality piece of Art Deco craftsmanship can fetch.

Photo courtesy Tooveys Auctions, Spring Gardens, Washington, West Sussex, UK