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Just the Right Shoe is a
fascinating collection designed by the innovative artist Raine. Want a
chance to win this cute miniature
'Sweet Pea' Shoe? It's easy! All you've got to do is buy
something from our shop from June 1st through June 30th. No minimum
purchase is required.
This cold cast porcelain collectible measures 4" in length and is as
sophisticated as it is flirty. Makes for an excellent and quirky gift.
A winner will be selected
randomly on July 1st and the collectible will be shipped free of charge
on that same day.
Good luck and thank you for
shopping with us! |
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The
"C"
Finish features a brilliantly luminous, full-coloring which requires all
kinds of painterly skills and sensitivity needed to achieve artistic levels
which enhance an Armani sculpture. |
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The
"E"
Finish features highly decorative coloration which is both charming and
delightful. Original patterns and striking mosaic effects make this a most
unique finish. |
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The
"F"
Finish
uses one color, such as white or any of the other restrained tonality. The
flesh tones of the figurine's exposed skin are dominant. |
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The
"P"
Finish is characterized by the use of delicate, pure-pastel hues. Harsh
and/or dramatic color-contrast do not happen here. Instead, colors blend and
meld creating a soft and calming effect. |
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The
"S"
Finish is the designation used for the careful observation and focused
evaluations of naturalistic color variances guided the selection of this
special finish which is difficult to achieve. One will often see this finish
accompanying wildlife sculptures. |
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The
"T"
Finish is inspired by the soil of Tuscany, the "art" region of Italy,
abundant in clay. In its raw state, clay is grayish in color. When fired,
some clay becomes a warm, brick-red; other clays of the region become a
warm, earthy taupe when treated. Clay that has been processed is called
"Terra-Cotta" (which in Latin, means "fired earth"). Innumerable works of
art have been formed from this terra-cotta. It is believed that only in the
medium of terra-cotta can one actually sense the hands of the artist molding
his sculpture. Often accompanied in
religious themed figurines. |
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The
"L"
finish of the Luxury Collection was developed by the artists of Florence
Sculture d'Arte to meet the tastes of those people, who are looking for
sophisticated, elegant figurines. The special glazed surface gives the
sculpture an entirely new life, which in combination with the very delicate
pastel colors creates an intriguing harmony, and makes this collection a
perfect complement to every contemporary decor. |
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The main component in the figurines is Kaolin, which is the main component of porcelain. This is the substance which produces the hardness of the finished product and creates the proper surface for the coloring and decorating process. Truly bright and lively colors can there by be achieved. Florence then "ties" Kaolin with Resins, which creates a catalyzed semi-liquid component used for their casting process. The original Armani sculpture is made of regular clay (terra cotta) that has to be dried and fired, and a female mould is then produced. The female mould is used to create the male "master mould." This master mould serves the purpose of originating as many female moulds as needed for quantities to be produced (from 40 to 50 pieces depending on the details of the sculpture). The catalyzed component is then poured into the moulds until the material hardens. The moulds are then opened and the rough pieces will emerge. Each and every one of these pieces needs to be finished by hand to eliminate mould marks and to accentuate details. The figurines then go through a decorating process. It is interesting to know that the entire process is done by hand. No machines are used. The result of this painstaking process is a brilliantly colored figurine of outstandingly meticulous workmanship. |
Giuseppe Armani was born in Calci, Italy, in 1935. From the moment young 'Bebe' could pick
up a pencil, he drew. He drew everything he saw. He drew everyone he knew. He drew all day long. Armani's parents were amazed at Giuseppe's prodigious
output and they recognized that their little boy's sketches were more than just the whimsical drawings of most children. Uncanny realism and attention
to detail revealed Giuseppe's true talent. He had The Gift.
Giuseppe's teachers decided that Armani should attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. Unfortunately, as the arrangements were being made, his
father died unexpectedly. The family needed Giuseppe now. Art school was forgotten. But the Art was not.
Giuseppe Armani's natural talent was finally recognized when a local priest organized an exhibition of young artists; Giuseppe entered a sculpture of a
classically inspired male torso. The work was greatly admired for its extraordinary anatomical precision. When the torso was taken to the Art
Gallery in Pisa - located across the street from the famous Leaning Tower - Giuseppe Armani's talent was rewarded with the offer of a permanent job
there.
In Pisa, Armani's dream of studying art was finally realized. He immersed himself in the great masterpieces of the Renaissance that he had only read about in books. He traveled to Siena and Florence and began to hone his personal style; Giuseppe drew heavily on the style of 16th Century Florentine Renaissance. Sculpture, Armani realized, allowed him to work in three dimensions. He infused life, character and even soul into his works. Giuseppe experimented in wood, clay, alabaster and marble and his reputation grew with each breathtaking creation. Art admirers soon started flocking to the gallery to see Armani's latest efforts.
In 1975, the Florence Sculture d'Arte, recognizing Armani's genius, offered him the opportunity to work exclusively for them. He would be encouraged to give free rein to his artistic muse. Giuseppe Armani accepted. For more than 20 years Armani has created masterpieces ranging from traditional Capodimonte style to more daring, contemporary, sometimes whimsical sculptures. Always, Giuseppe infused his figurines with breathtaking realism and a spark of life.
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 solely be a ruminant of the past, as
glorious as it may have been. An artist conducts a search that may lead him far out in exploring new areas of interest. I continually search to discover
new and better means of expression." |
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The Florence Studio started its activity as an artisan group in 1973. Shortly after, co-operation with Giuseppe Armani began. Today, Florence Sculture d' Arte is a "unique world" of about 300 employees, placed in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.
Tuscany is a land with an ancient tradition of figurative art which has been handed down from generation to generation. The Renaissance was the height of artistic expression and Tuscany was the land in which Masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti gave the world their works.
Everyone in Tuscany is steeped in these artistic traditions: no one is immune to its pervading creative atmosphere, and all those working at Florence Sculture d' Arte strive to continue this artistic heritage.
In this environment, Florence Sculture d' Arte, with its fine sculptors and the natural skills of its Tuscan craftsmen, has produced outstanding figurines for more than twenty-five years.
Florence figurines have an unmistakable quality and have acquired a worldwide reputation. The sculptors and artists of Florence Sculture d' Arte constantly create even more perfect and attractive sculptures; they are devoted to the constant development of the great Italian artistic tradition. |
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Fabrizio Taniwas born in 1965 in Vico d’Elsa - a charming small town near Florence, Italy. He was trained
in painting at the Institute of Arts in Siena and attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence from which he graduated in 1987 with a Degree in
Painting. Fabrizio is a fervent follower of the Renaissance style in art. As a sculptor he prefers to sculpt figurines "in motion" incorporating
characteristics of the "Armani Style." Fabrizio believes this "Style" allows
him to express fluidity of form and dimension. Fabrizio Tani joined the Florence Studio in 1989. Since then he has become an important member of
their Studio. Fabrizio has been the featured sculptor at Giuseppe Armani/Florence Sculture d'Arte events throughout the USA and Canada. At
every one of his events Fabrizio has had outstanding success. Consequently, Fabrizio Tani has developed a substantial and enthusiastic following. |
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Paolo Leoncini was born in 1950 in Castelfiorentino, a small town not far from Florence. Paolo started crafting at The Florence Studio in late 1995. Like Giuseppe Armani, Paolo is
a self-taught sculptor. Leoncini introduced himself to Mr. Armani by showing him three sculptures of animals in motion. Giuseppe Armani was struck by
Paolo's artistic sensitivity, his understanding of anatomy and his ability to create exciting realistic wildlife subjects. Paolo established an
immediate rapport with "The Maestro." Leoncini has already produced sculptures with intrinsic artistic content. It will surprise no one that
Paolo Leoncini not only creates impressive sculptures of animals in motion, he also sculpts original, realistic and anatomically detailed figurines of
stylish and contemporary women. |
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David Thomas Lyttletonwas born in Stoke-On-Trent, a town founded by Joshua Wedgewood in the 19th
century. Today Stoke-On-Trent is the center of the pottery area in Staffordshire, England. Young David finished his Art School studies in 1973.
In 1974 he started to work with Royal Doulton. David volunteered to demonstrate his craft at the "Pottery Museum" of Stroke, the destination of
thousands of tourists each year. In 1986, by then a fully qualified "Sculptor", Lyttleton left Royal Doulton and proceeded to "Aynsley China."
Now, Lyttleton sculpts full-time for the Florence Studio where he worked closely with Giuseppe Armani. David Thomas Lyttleton's figurines, not
confined to a specific theme, reflect a wide range of subjects such as children, animals and classical studies. |
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