This horizontal ceramic wall panel by Marcello Fantoni captures a visual narrative rooted in ancient procession and mid-century modern abstraction. Spanning over 1.5 metres, this work exemplifies the celebrated Italian artist’s distinctive fusion of expressive form and decorative utility.

Design

The panel features glazed ceramic warrior figures depicted in a stylised, almost ritualistic procession. Crafted from chamotte stoneware and finished in vividly coloured enamel, the surface becomes a visual frieze of elongated human and animal forms. Their postures, defined by spears, shields, and cloaks, suggest a scene of ceremonial or mythical significance. The palette combines deep turquoise, oxblood, ivory and black, with a masterful use of outline and texture to enhance depth and motion. While the composition is arranged across individual tile segments, the imagery flows with deliberate continuity from left to right.

Marcello Fantoni’s studio in Florence was at the forefront of mid-century ceramic experimentation. While the style of this panel is distinctly his, it should be noted that during this period, works by other Tuscan artists, such as Guido Gambone, sometimes bore visual similarities. This reflects a shared language of abstraction and figuration that defined the region’s artistic output in the 1950s and 1960s. The panel may have originated as part of a commissioned interior or as a studio exhibition piece, aligning with Fantoni’s transition from utilitarian ceramics to architectural artworks.

Condition

Condition is good with minor wear consistent with age. Some small glaze chips and light surface losses are visible upon close inspection but remain in harmony with the piece’s character.