$60,000
Fontana Arte Italy, 1938 blue crystal, brass, acero 51¼ w x 15½ d x 30 h in (130 x 39 x 76 cm)
Gio Ponti established the Fontana Arte trademark in 1932 naming Pietro Chiesa artistic director of the former Luigi Fontana Company.
Their vision for the company was to produce limited edition luxury items despite a growing trend to affordable, mass-produced home furnishings. Ponti and Chiesa brought the Fontana Arte brand to international recognition at the Paris World Fair in 1937 earning a grand prize in art and workmanship. Designed when Fontana Arte was most influential in the market, this cabinet utilizes crystal. After innovations in production made in the early part of the century, crystal proved to be stronger and more durable than glass, yet achieved very similar aesthetic results. The vibrantly colored of the crystal is emblematic of Fontana Arte. Sold with copy of original 1939 bill of sale from Luigi Fontana.
Literature:
Fontana Arte: Una Storia Trasparente, Falconi, pg. 208 illustrates this model more
print
Auctioneer:
Wright Auctions
Date:
2004-12-05
