The 20th-Century Decorative Arts and Design auction, held on December 18, 19, and 20, 2024, showcased a meticulously curated selection of high-quality pieces.
With a turnover of €800,000, 80% of lots sold, and a 127% increase over starting prices, the event marked the conclusion of a remarkable year.
Afra and Tobia Scarpa with the eight "Africa" model chairs (€28,160), Napoleone Martinuzzi with the pâte de verre sculpture "Elephant" (€15,360), and Gio Ponti with the plate from the "Classic Conversation" series (€15,360) stand out as the top lots of a sale offering noteworthy insights for collectors.
Lot 86
Afra Scarpa e Tobia Scarpa
Eight chairs model “Africa” of the series "Artona".
Produced by Maxalto, Italy, 1970s.
Solid wood, plywood and leather. (55.5x80x43.5 cm.).
Sold € 28.160
Lot 36
Napoleone Martinuzzi
"Elefante" Red glass paste sculpture with gold leaf application on ears and paws.
Execution by Zecchin-Martinuzzi, Murano, 1932. (20x25x12 cm.).
Sold € 15.360
Lot 108
Gio Ponti
Decorative plate of the series "Conversazione classica".
Manufacture of Richard - Ginori, Shower (Florence), 1924ca.
Mold-formed majolica, hand-painted under glaze, with dark brown ground and figure of “Philosopher”
and classical female sculpture in ochre and white outlined in black.
Sold € 15.360
Market interest remains strong for design icons such as Max Ingrand, with the large chandelier produced by Fontana Arte in 1955 (€12,800); Osvaldo Borsani, with a bedroom cabinet created in collaboration with Lucio Fontana in 1949 (€11,520); and Enzo Mari, with the rare cylindrical vase from the "Samos" series (€10,240).
Lot 138
Max Ingrand
Big chandelier. Execution by Fontana Arte, Milan, 1955ca.
Diffuser disc made of curved crystal, etched and decorated with deep
sand jet engravings, brass and aluminum frame painted white, upper disc made of etched crystal. (d 93 cm.).
Sold € 12,800
Lot 119
Osvaldo Borsani e Lucio Fontana
Two-door fluted mahogany wood bedroom cabinet,
bronze handles with female figures in the round based on a Lucio Fontana model, red glass top.
Interior with shelves and four maple drawers.
Execution by Arredi Borsani, Varedo, 1949ca. (108x135x46 cm.).
Sold € 11,520
Lot 30
Enzo Mari
Rare cylindrical vase from the Samos series model "W".
Produced by Danese, Milan, 1973.
Bands of small rectangular porcelain sheets stacked on top of each other.
Marked in ink in blue below the base. (h 15.5 cm.; d 13.5 cm.).
Sold € 10,240
Great attention was drawn to the collection of furnishings designed by architects Luigi Figini and Gino Pollini in 1935 for a prominent Milanese residence. Among the most significant lots in this collection, renowned for its historical and artistic importance, were the pair of bedside tables (€10,880), the dressing table with mirror (€10,880), and the pair of stools (€8,960).
Lot 114
Luigi Figini e Gino Pollini
Pair of night tables. Milan, 1935.
White lacquered wood parallelepiped box with pivoting drawer and side compartment,
back-painted black glass top, four legs and handles in chrome-plated brass tube. (55x46x25.5 cm.).
Luigi Figini e Gino Pollini Coppia di comodini. Milano, 1935.
Sold € 10,880
Lot 116
Luigi Figini e Gino Pollini
Toilet cabinet with mirror. Milan, 1935.
Parallelepiped box painted black with two linearly removable drawers and one pivoting one,
black backpainted glass top, two chromed tube legs.
Rectangular mirror mounted on wooden frame. (cabinet cm 100x80x30; mirror cm 99x32).
Sold € 10,880
Lot 115
Luigi Figini e Gino Pollini
Pair of stools. Milan, 1935.
Chrome-plated tubular metal, upholstered seat covered in pony skin. (45.5x47x57 cm.).
Sold € 8.960
Overall, the furniture sector achieved outstanding results. Highlights include Gio Ponti, in collaboration with Emilio Lancia, whose pair of wardrobes exemplify the distinctive Novecento style of the 1920s (€10,240); Angelo Mangiarotti, with the large table from the “Eros” series, 1971, originating from the important Ambroset Collection (€10,880); and Cini Boeri with the avant-garde “Tuttoletto” double bed from 1978 (€9,600).
Lot 105
Gio Ponti e Emilio Lancia
Pair of Novecento closets with two-door front concealing drawers. Milan, 1920s. Solid wood and veneer.
Sold € 10,240
Lot 157
Angelo Mangiarotti
Big table of the series "Eros". Execution by Fratelli Brambilla, Italy, 1971.
White Carrara marble. (331x72.5x150 cm.).
Sold € 10,880
Lot 96
Cini Boeri
Double bed with storage container model "Tuttoletto".
Produced by Arflex, Italy, 1978. (341x53x298 cm.).
Sold € 9,600