Armani Porcelain

For more than 25 years Giuseppe Armani has created masterpieces ranging from the traditional Capodimonte style to the more daring, contemporary and whimsical sculptures. Always and remarkably, Giuseppe Armani’s figurines have the spark of life, and his breathtaking realism continues to amaze his many admirers the world over.

Giuseppe Armani describes his credo this way: “Although I consider myself a direct descendant of the Renaissance heritage, I believe that an artist has to follow his own evolution and not be solely a remnant of the past, as glorious as the past may have been. I am continually compelled to discover new and better means of expression.”

Florence Studio

The great artists learn from their predecessors. In fact, during the most glorious centuries of Italian art the Master Artists used to keep "workshops." The term, "workshops" referred to a group headed by the ''Maestro" who taught his pupils the essence of true art according to the Maestro's conception of "true art.".

The "workshop" tradition is carried on today at Florence Sculture d'Arte. Master Sculptor Giuseppe Armani guides a selected team of talented sculptors. Under Maestro Armani's guidance and support their talents have merged with his.

History

1973
The Florence Studio started its activity as an artisan group. Shortly after, co-operation with Giuseppe Armani began. The most important models in this first period were traditional items in "Capodimonte" style, series of children and collections of animals.

1977 
The new Studio was opened.

1980 
Introduction of "Gulliver's World" by Giuseppe Armani, a most original and captivating collection of children.

1982 Presentation of the "Valentine" line which originated a new style in the representation of children.

1986 The "Spring Melodies" ladies were released. This is a refreshing and sunny line. It's a classical theme that never declines.

1987 The "My Fair Ladies" collection conquers the world with Art Nouveau subjects full of charm and flair. This year another special collection was introduced, named "Magic Memories", a joyful series of adorable children.

1989
The flying "Première" ballerinas captured attention worldwide. Large, colourful "Clowns" and splendid Peacocks were also introduced.

1990
Introduction of "The Seasons" series, of which "Girl with Bicycle" has become one of the most representative figurines of the entire Florence collection. 

1991
In the United States the "Giuseppe Armani Society" Collectors Club was established. 

1992
The year opened with another striking success with the introduction of the "Florentine Garden" series, a line in pure Renaissance style. 

1993
The "Galleria Line" was introduced, a rare collection of masterpieces in an original terra-cotta finish. "Mahogany", Armani's first figure of a black lady, was added to the "My Fair Ladies" collection. The first Figurine of the Year, "Secret Love", was released. 

1994
The range of animals was enriched with "The Falconer", an extremely impressive figure in limited edition, and an immediate worldwide success.

1995
This year was marked by the introduction of two new successful collections: "Golden Age", representing delicate female figures in Victorian style, and "Via Veneto" introducing figures in contemporary style. "Scarlett" was the Figurine of the Year.

1996
The International Collectors Society was launched in the UK, Eire, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. In this year the first piece of the 'Masterworks' collection,"Aurora", was released: these will be pieces of great artistic content, manufactured with extreme care in very limited editions.

1997
Some important additions to the Capodimonte range are included: among them a large size "Gondola". Exciting wildlife figures distinguished by their lively motion, are also introduced: a striking example is the "Jumping Stag". An impressive piece, "Artemis", the goddess of hunting, is included in the "Florentine Garden" collection.

1998
In this year the second piece of the "Masterworks" Collection, "Circle of Joy", is released: a delicate country life scene, with an impressive sense of motion. This figure is inspired by the "Macchiaioli" school of painting. 

1999
This year is marked by the introduction of the "Starlight" collection, three figurines to celebrate the three millenniums: "Stardust", "Silver Moon" and "Comet".

2000
The new Millennium brought important additions to assortment, among them  "Cabaret", a range of glamorous dancers. Some attractive new models, depicting the flowery Art Nouveau style, are added to the "Spring Melodies" collection.

2001
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Giuseppe Armani's collaboration with Florence Studio and the company celebrates this Event with a reproduction of one of his earliest works, "Awaiting the Rainbow", a limited series of 5.000 pieces. New rules have been introduced to our International Collectors Society enrollement procedures.

2002
"Promenade", a large figurine of a young woman with two greyhounds, is a striking success, with a limited edition of 675 pieces being sold out in a few months.

2003
The most impressive release of this year is "Mercedes", part of "The Gallery" collection, a gorgeous Spanish dancer in a limited edition of 750 pieces.

2004 
This year an impressive number of large size sculptures was introduced, such as the “Masterworks” figurine “Spring Dance”, “White Wings”, new addition in The Gallery Collection and a new series of twelve gorgeous sculptures, composing the new collection “Art for Today”.

2005
The success of the collection “Art for Today” is enhanced by the addition of two new introductions: “Romantic Clown” and “Flora”. In the second part of the year “Ebony and Ivory”, a superlative sculpture of a lady promenading with a black panther is also presented.

2006
The year is marked by the unveiling of “Sounds of Africa”, an ethnic style figure in the “Gallery“ series and by “The Hunt”, a very special addition to the Wildlife catalogue. The last part of the year was afflicted by the sudden passing away of our master sculptor Giuseppe Armani at the age of 71.

2007 
“Proud and Beautiful”, the most magnificent figurine, both in size and decoration, ever created at the Florence Studio is released in the first part of the year with an impressive success.

 

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