Pair of french Art Déco hand-painted and glazed ceramic Pierrot sculptures/perfume lamps designed by Aladin for ROBJ By: ROBJ, Aladin Material: ceramic, paint Technique: pressed, molded, painted, hand-painted, glazed, Dimensions: 3.5 in x 4.5 in x 6.5 in Date: early 20th century, circa 1930 Style: Art Déco Place of origin: France This pair of early 20th century hand-painted and glazed ceramic sculptures/perfume lamps depicts the iconic figure of Pierrot kneeling while holding a gilded incense burner, with two openings at the back for wiring. Pierrot originated as a stock character in 16th-century italian commedia dell'arte and was later adapted by french mime Jean-Gaspard Deburau into the clown made universally recognizable. Markings made by the manufacturer can be found underneath the figures. The lamps were designed by Aladin and produced by french company Robj, which created ceramic figurines and objects in the Art Déco style between 1908-1930s, often representing stylized caricatures of musicians, sailors, and folk costumes. While relatively small in scale, the meticulous hand-painting and Art Déco stylization reflect the continued popularity of Commedia dell'arte's most famous characters in early 20th century decorative arts. As can be seen in the photos, one of the lamps has a slight stain on what would be one of its legs, at the base of the lamp, due to wear and tear over time.