***SOLD***
Magnificent Twenty Seven Piece Ceramic Bas-Relief From The Casino Lobby
by Emanuele Luzzati

Items from MV VICTORIA I (ex DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, VICTORIA, THE VICTORIA, PRINCESA VICTORIA)

Symbols Of Rome and the Ancients
by one of 20th Century Italy's most important ceramists
85.5 Inches Tall by 82.5 Inches Wide
Price:  ***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***

The ceramic ensemble as seen on the ship in 1997. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1997.

I just cannot believe that as recently as 2001, the PRINCESA VICTORIA was still sailing. Little did her Cypriot passengers realize what treasures surrounded them. This ceramic panel is from the ship's Incres Line days and was made by Emanuele Luzzati under the direction of Gustavo Pulitzer-Finale in 1959. It withstood the tests of time and vigorous seas for 45 years until the ship was beached at Alang in late 2004. At that time, it was removed from the ship in one supremely heavy lot, still mounted to the wood panel that supported it on the ship. Sadly, my agent left it in the monsoons and the wood backing collapsed after months of soaking. Some of the ceramic components were broken and required significant repair. Such a shame, but even in its current condition, it is still a stunning and important work by one of Italy's prominent 20th Century masters.

The casino ceramic ensemble as seen from various angles after reconstruction in California. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.  

Emanuele Luzzati's shipboard contributions go back many decades.  In collaboration with the great triumvirate of Italian designers Gio Ponti, Nino Zoncada, and Gustavo Pulitzer, he and many other key artists contributed works that adorned a gamut of famous ships from CONTE BIANCAMANO to ANDREA DORIA and OCEANIC.  Luzzati is well known in Italy, not just for his ceramics, but his paintings, illustrations (several children's books), stage designs, and animation.  There is a museum and gallery in Genoa, where he still resides, dedicated to his works.

Each piece, except for number thirteen (serpent to right of the three crowns) is shown below.

I will miss these beauties!