Mascot Ring Appraisal

Mid-Century Caltagirone Italian Ceramic Bird on Pinecone Mascot

This item is a decorative glaze-fired ceramic sculpture featuring a blue bird (likely a dove or pigeon) perched atop a traditional stylized pinecone base. The piece is approximately 10 to 12 inches in height, finished in a deep teal or cerulean blue glaze with a high-gloss sheen. The pinecone base, a symbol of fertility and longevity in Sicilian culture (popularly known as 'Pigna Siciliana'), is intricately constructed with individual hand-applied or molded bracts that exhibit dark pooling of glaze in the recesses to provide depth. The bird is depicted with raised wings and a rounded body, showcasing a somewhat folk-art style characteristic of 20th-century Italian pottery. Notable features include a reddish-brown beak and a small price sticker on the wing. Regarding condition, there are visible chips at the base and on the tail feathers where the white ceramic body is exposed, indicating brittle glaze and moderate wear consistent with age. There is also a rough texture along the bottom rim suggestings the piece has moved across hard surfaces frequently. This style typically dates from the mid-to-late 20th century, likely originating from caltagirone, Sicily, though no specific maker's mark is visible in the photograph.