LENCI: HISTORY & VALUATIONS
Have you ever wondered what your piece of Lenci is worth?
Find out more about the history of Lenci and get in touch using the form below for a free valuation.
How we can help you sell your Lenci figurines
Lenci figurines, originating from Turin in Italy, are highly collectable. If you have a Lenci figurine that you are looking to sell, please use the form on this page to request a free valuation of your piece.
If you would like to find out more about the history of Lenci and their dolls, you can find the history of the company at the bottom of this page.
The Market for Lenci in 2020
The market for Lenci figurines has grown steadily over the years.
There is now more than ever an appreciation of the role of the artist or maker, with people buying pieces of Lenci after learning about how the company came about, and the artist behind the dolls – Helen Konig. The rarest forms of these figurines command the highest prices.
More than ever condition is key and collectors discriminate against even the smallest imperfection.
Free Valuations Of Your
Lenci Figurines
Receive a free valuation for your Lenci Figurines
Where possible please send us a picture of your piece as this will help speed up the process of giving you a valuation.
Selling your Lenci figurines with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your figurines directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your Lenci figurine. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
Auction or Private Sale?
If you are deciding on how to sell your Lenci figurines we can have a no-obligation chat on the best options for you. We can either make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location and item free of charge. Or we can look into collecting you some no-obligation offers for a private sale, which could save you considerably in commission.
In a nutshell here are the main pros and cons of each option:
- Auctions can provide an increased market exposure (when you choose the right saleroom) but their gross fees can reach as much as 50%, and the payout times can be drawn out.
- Private sales leave you in control of the price, and can be completed quickly but there is no chance of ‘buyers fever’ driving up prices.
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your Lenci figurines for the highest possible price.
A History of Lenci
Helen Konig and Enrico Scavini lived in Turin in the early 20th century. Following the untimely death of their young daughter from Spanish Flu, Helen Konig took up the heartbreaking hobby of making dolls that she imagined could have been toys for her daughter. The story is tragic, but out of Konig’s heartbreak came wonderful ceramics that tell a history of Italian ceramic manufacturing.
Lenci was registered as a company in 1919. Enrico Scavini had found a way to steam press his wife’s felt designs into metallic moulds, immortalising them, and at the same time creating a new idea for a business. The dolls were initially designed by Helen Konig in collaboration with Sandro and Emilio Vacchetti. The business quickly grew and gained nationwide success that then blossomed into international success as far-reaching as Japan and Australia as well as Europe.
The first Lenci dolls are reminiscent of children’s toys – innocent with pink cheeks and pretty dresses. The first Lenci store opened in Milan in 1923 in the same year that the dolls began to be showcased around the world. Some of the artists that were involved in design for the company were Giovanni Spertini, Lionello Franchini, and Clare Burchart.
In 1929, ninety-five pieces of Lenci were shown at the Galleria Pesaro in Milan This event drew the attention of critics, and by extension critical acclaim for the dolls and figurines. The dolls were primarily of young women, sometimes going about a normal day, other times nude and more provocative.
In the 1930s, Helen Konig’s designs began to move away from small lady figurines, and she started to create Art Deco style masks. These masks were made to hang on the wall, and featured the heads of women with stoic expressions, covered in headscarves that bore floral motifs and geometric patterns. These masks are interesting because they are far removed from Konig’s other designs, showing her maturation as a ceramist even within a growing company. The company, of course, continued to produce figurines, reflecting the changing landscape of art in their clothing which now featured geometric patterns and fashions from all over the world.
The management of the business was taken over by the Garella Brothers in 1933, although they continued to rely on the main artists Mario Sturani, Felice Tosalli, Gigi Chessa, and Abele Jacopi during this time. Helen Konig served as artistic director for the company after the Garella Brothers took over completely in 1937, one year before the death of Enrico Scavini. She did so for five years until 1941 when she ceased her career as a ceramist. She died in 1974.
The company continued without its founders until their factory was severely damaged by bombings in WWII. The company was liquidated in 2002.
The tragic nature of the beginnings of this company made the dolls a labour of love for Helen Konig. And so, it is no wonder that these beautiful creations are so highly valued today.
What is your piece of Lenci worth?
Where possible please send us a picture of your piece as this will help speed up the process of giving you a valuation.
Have you ever wondered what your piece of Lenci is worth?
Find out more about the history of the Lenci and get in touch using the form below for a free valuation.
How we can help you sell your Lenci figurines
Lenci figurines, originating from Turin in Italy, are highly collectable. If you have a Lenci figurine that you are looking to sell, please use the form on this page to request a free valuation of your piece.
If you would like to find out more about the history of Lenci and their dolls, you can find the history of the company at the bottom of this page.
Receive a free valuation for your Lenci figurines
Where possible please send us a picture of your piece as this will help speed up the process of giving you a valuation.
Selling your Lenci figurines with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your silver directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your silver. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
Auction or Private Sale?
If you are deciding on how to sell your Lenci figurines we can have a no-obligation chat on the best options for you. We can either make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location and item free of charge. Or we can look into collecting you some no-obligation offers for a private sale, which could save you considerably in commission.
In a nutshell here are the main pros and cons of each option:
- Auctions can provide an increased market exposure (when you choose the right saleroom) but their gross fees can reach as much as 50%, and the payout times can be drawn out.
- Private sales leave you in control of the price, and can be completed quickly but there is no chance of ‘buyers fever’ driving up prices.
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your Lenci figurines for the highest possible price.
A History of Lenci
Helen Konig and Enrico Scavini lived in Turin in the early 20th century. Following the untimely death of their young daughter from Spanish Flu, Helen Konig took up the heartbreaking hobby of making dolls that she imagined could have been toys for her daughter. The story is tragic, but out of Konig’s heartbreak came wonderful ceramics that tell a history of Italian ceramic manufacturing.
Lenci was registered as a company in 1919. Enrico Scavini had found a way to steam press his wife’s felt designs into metallic moulds, immortalising them, and at the same time creating a new idea for a business. The dolls were initially designed by Helen Konig in collaboration with Sandro and Emilio Vacchetti. The business quickly grew and gained nationwide success that then blossomed into international success as far-reaching as Japan and Australia as well as Europe.
The first Lenci dolls are reminiscent of children’s toys – innocent with pink cheeks and pretty dresses. The first Lenci store opened in Milan in 1923 in the same year that the dolls began to be showcased around the world. Some of the artists that were involved in design for the company were Giovanni Spertini, Lionello Franchini, and Clare Burchart.
In 1929, ninety-five pieces of Lenci were shown at the Galleria Pesaro in Milan This event drew the attention of critics, and by extension critical acclaim for the dolls and figurines. The dolls were primarily of young women, sometimes going about a normal day, other times nude and more provocative.
In the 1930s, Helen Konig’s designs began to move away from small lady figurines, and she started to create Art Deco style masks. These masks were made to hang on the wall, and featured the heads of women with stoic expressions, covered in headscarves that bore floral motifs and geometric patterns. These masks are interesting because they are far removed from Konig’s other designs, showing her maturation as a ceramist even within a growing company. The company, of course, continued to produce figurines, reflecting the changing landscape of art in their clothing which now featured geometric patterns and fashions from all over the world.
The management of the business was taken over by the Garella Brothers in 1933, although they continued to rely on the main artists Mario Sturani, Felice Tosalli, Gigi Chessa, and Abele Jacopi during this time. Helen Konig served as artistic director for the company after the Garella Brothers took over completely in 1937, one year before the death of Enrico Scavini. She did so for five years until 1941 when she ceased her career as a ceramist. She died in 1974.
The company continued without its founders until their factory was severely damaged by bombings in WWII. The company was liquidated in 2002.
The tragic nature of the beginnings of this company made the dolls a labour of love for Helen Konig. And so, it is no wonder that these beautiful creations are so highly valued today.
Receive a free valuation for your Lenci figurines
Where possible please send us a picture of your piece as this will help speed up the process of giving you a valuation.