Vintage Italian Hand-Painted Ceramic Crouching Tiger Figurine

This is a large-scale ceramic figurine of a crouching or stalking tiger, likely of Italian origin, dating from mid-to-late 20th century (circa 1960s-1980s). The piece is constructed from molded earthenware with an all-over high-gloss glaze finish. Physically, it measures approximately 15 to 22 inches in length. Its coloration features a vibrant ochre or butterscotch base with hand-painted black stripes that follow the musculature of the feline’s form, transitioning to a creamy white on the paws, chest, and undersnout. The craftsmanship is indicative of mid-century artistic pottery, with life-like anatomical details such as the rounded back, muscular haunches, and a focused facial expression. The eyes are painted with a dark pigment, and the mouth is slightly parted to show sculptural teeth. Notable condition elements include a fine surface luster consistent with well-maintained ceramic, though there may be minor shelf wear on the unglazed foot pads. There are no immediate visible cracks or repairs, but some areas show natural glaze crazing, which is typical for heat-fired Italian ceramics of this era. Pieces of this scale and style were frequently produced by notable Italian workshops like Ronzan or Fontanini, though a specific maker's mark would be located on the underside of the belly or paws.