RARE vintage midcentury lidded ceramic trinket box made in Italy for Fornari. Superb leaf pattern to lid and gorgeous color throughout, a mix of malachite green and turquoise. Measures 5 1/8″ by 3 7/8″ by 2. In excellent condition save for small chip to underside of lid, otherwise no cracks or stains, color vivid. The Fornari family was primarily known for silver flatware and decorative objects, but their store in Rome also offered other gift items, including ceramics. Found online: In 1905 Alberto Fornari opened his first store at 49 via della Scrofa. Business boomed, and the store, by now famous, was moved to 29 via del Gambero, corner via Frattina. During that time Romans referred to the Fornari family as “the Silversmiths”, and it wasn’t uncommon for somebody to invite a group of friends to meet in front of the Silversmiths. Then in 1938 everything screeched to a sudden stop with the passing in Italy of anti-Semitic laws and the beginning of WW II. The Fornari family was forced to flee to the United States, dreaming to return someday to resume their activities. In 1950 that dream came through. In a few years the Fornaris were able to commission the production of over 65,000 pounds of silver and transformed the store into a sleek and modern boutique specializing in gift items and decorative objects for the home and for the kitchen.
