midcenturymodern
Italian Modern Enamel on Copper “Apple” Dish by Rame d’Arte Lavorazione Laurana
$295.00Italian modernist apple (mela) form enamel on copper dish handmade by studio Laurana, which was founded by Franco Bastianelli (ca. 1950s, Italy).
Unique design with rich colors and patterns depicting an abstraction of an apple’s interior.
Nice contrast of modernist attributes with Brutalist and crude characteristics – the purposeful asymmetry of the piece, involving hand-forming/bending one of the edges to better resemble an apple’s shape adds to the piece’s uniqueness.
Good, vintage condition with moderate age-commensurate crazing present; no enamel losses.
Signed Laurana and retains the label indicating “Rame d’Arte Lavorazione a Mano” or “copper art processing/manufacturing by hand.”
H: 2.38″ x L: 7.25″ x D: 7.63″
Italian Modern Orange and Black Lucite Soliflore / Bud Vase after Luigi Massoni
$200.00Striking lucite bud vase/candle holder with both transparent and orange facets housing black vessels for flowers/candles depending which side is upright (ca. 1970s, Italy – in the style of Lugi Massoni for Guzzini).
Versatile piece with two separate holders of varying heights at either end – one is short, designed for a candle, while the other is long for accommodating flowers.
Very good, vintage condition with scuffs to top and bottom, as shown, along with a tiny fleck to one side (barely visible as seen in the seventh picture with the transparent side facing front).
H: 7″ x D: 2″ x L: 2″
Italian Modern Rosewood Wall Unit/Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
$22,000.00Model 540 modular bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini (ca. 1960s, Italy).
Uncommon rosewood example composed of four vertical slatted-rails creating three bays including 14 shelves and one drop-down storage/bar cabinet with a removable shelf – all supported by adjustable, aluminum feet.
The shelves and cabinet can be displayed in a number of configurations. There are 17 slots for shelves that are vertically 3.88″ inches apart (the lowest the distance between shelves can be is 3.88″).
There are holes screwed through the rails in places, as shown, as once the ideal placement is decided, the bar cabinet needs to be screwed into place for stability.
Very good, expertly refinished condition, though light wear remains (few spots where previous screw holes have been filled/light, general wear).
H: 82″ x L: 72.38″ x D: 14″
Shelves: L: 22.13″ x D: 12″
Cabinet: H: 21.13″ x L: 22.25″ x D (closed): 12″ / D (closed including pull): 13″ / D (door open): 31.5″
Cabinet interior (discounting removable/adjustable shelf): H: 19.75″ x L: 21.13″ x D: 11.5″
Cabinet shelf is 9.63″ deep.
Bibliography: Interni Rivista dell’arredamento n. 69 (ad in the listing is from this catalog).
Italian Design, Gianfranco Frattini, edited by Pier Carlo Santini, Edizioni Biblioteca dell’immagine, p. 56.
Italian Design, 1950/2000, Giuliana Gramigna, Allemandi, p. 83.
Italian Modern Three-Seat “Confidential” Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
$9,500.00Note that this listing is for the 3-seater sofa alone (matching loveseat and lounge chair are available separately).
Three-piece “Confidential” Sofa designed in 1972 by Italian architect, Alberto Rosselli, for Saporiti Italia composed of a durable, metal, upholstered frame with loose cushions and a subframe/base of black molded plastic.
This ingenious, attractive design, epitomizing form and function, features ‘puzzle piece’ cushions that connect the modules.
Original striped velvet upholstery in olive green, blue, and blue-green present. (Close-ups make the fabric appear silver due to the natural light – main color of the velvet is a blue/green or teal).
Velvet has been steam cleaned, but wear remains (one patched hole to an arm, light fading, minor soiling/spotting, general wear). Can be used as is with aforementioned issues, though reupholstery is recommended.
Retains the “Saporiti” fabric label under seat cushion, and all three modules are manufacturer branded to the molded plastic undersides.
Sourced in Rome, Italy.
See other listings for the corresponding chair and loveseat.
H: 24.75″ (with back cushions) / 22″ (without)
L: 93.5″
D: 32.5″
Seat Height: 14.5″ (with cushion) / 12″ (without)
Italian Modern Two-Seat “Confidential” Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
$4,800.00Note that this listing is for the 2-seater sofa/loveseat alone (matching 3-seat sofa and lounge chair are available separately).
Two-piece “Confidential” Sofa/Loveseat designed in 1972 by Italian architect, Alberto Rosselli, for Saporiti Italia composed of a durable, metal, upholstered frame with loose cushions and a subframe/base of black molded plastic.
This ingenious, attractive design, epitomizing form and function, features ‘puzzle piece’ cushions that connect the modules.
Original striped velvet upholstery in olive green, blue, and blue-green present. (Close-ups make the fabric appear silver due to the natural light – main color of the velvet is a blue/green or teal).
Velvet has been steam cleaned, but wear remains (light fading, minor soiling, spotting, general wear). Can be used as is with aforementioned issues, though reupholstery is recommended.
Retains the “Saporiti” fabric label under seat cushion, and both modules are manufacturer branded to the molded plastic undersides.
Sourced in Rome, Italy.
See other listings for the corresponding chair and three-seat sofa.
H: 24.75″ (with back cushions) / 22″ (without)
L: 64″
D: 32.25″
Seat Height: 14.5″ (with cushion) / 12″ (without)
Italian Modernist “Apple” Lidded Trinket Box in Gold and Silver Aluminum
$300.00Petite apple-form box for holding small items in gold aluminum with silver banding and orb handle (ca. 1960s, Italy).
Luxurious decorative item in very good, newly polished condition with only light patina/general wear remaining, as shown. Will be cleaned a final time prior to shipping.
H: 6″ x Diameter: 4.38″
Height without lid: 3.25″
Italian Modernist “Perla” Armchair in Bouclé by Giulia Veronesi for ISA Bergamo
$7,200.00Single iconic ‘Perla’ club/armchair by Giulia Veronesi for ISA Bergamo (early 1950s, Italy).
Composed of a gently curved back with exaggerated, outstretched arms (charmingly appears to be extending to give a hug) supported by Veronesi’s signature triangular ebonized walnut wedge feet.
Unique form with its low profile but spacious, accommodating seat, maximizing comfort without compromising style.
Newly reupholstered in an oatmeal Kravet bouclé (36114-106). The foam has additionally been replaced, and the feet retain the original ebonized finish, which shows minor wear consistent with age.
Reference:
October 1952 Domus, Issue No. 274, page 4 – credited as G. Veronesi in the magazine, leading people to believe it was ‘Guglielmo,’ when in fact the designer of the Perla is Giulia Veronesi.
H: 31.5″ x L: 32.75″ x D: 31″
Seat Height: 16.75″ x Seat Length: 19″ x Seat Depth: 20.5″
Arm Height: 25.75″
Italian Modernist “Zodiac” Red Umbrella Stand in Enamel and Brass by SIVA
$2,200.00Giuseppe Calonaci, b. 1931 Poggibonsi (Sienna) Italy, founded S.I.V.A. in 1955, an arts laboratory focused the creation of enamel on steel/metal art and sculptural objects. This umbrella stand/wastebasket in red enameled metal with brass banding is a fine representation of the contrasting materials S.I.V.A. employed in the creation of their pieces (ca. 1960s, Italy).
Features astrological signs depicted in yellow, beige, and white porcelain enamel.
Attractive colors and fashionable zodiac motif present.
Patina/tarnish to the brass and a couple of dark spots to the red bucket, as shown. Additionally, black interior shows wear/patch of loss (wear is minimal and consistent with age/use).
Unsigned.
H: 19.38″ x Diameter: 8.25″
Italian Modernist Adjustable Aluminum Table Lamp by Oscar Torlasco for Lumi
$2,200.00Polished aluminum table lamp with inset frosted glass shade by Oscar Torlasco for Lumi (Italy, ca. 1960s).
Ingenious design, marrying form and function designed with a useful adjustability function without compromising style. Specifically, there is a metal bracket at the top of the stem, enabling the socket/shade component to adjust, allowing the light to be directed in any direction.
We have three available – each sold separately.
Original Italian sockets, wiring, and plug (plug will be changed for US use, unless otherwise requested).
H: 17.5″ x Diameter: 13.13″
Base dimensions – H: 5″ x Diameter: 7″
Italian Modernist Brass “Pumpkin” Ice Bucket
$650.00Mid-Century Italian Modern “pumpkin-form” brass ice bucket (ca. 1950s).
Features a sculptural stem decoration that serves as the handle for removing the top.
The bucket is uninsulated but can still be used to house ice with or without the addition of a liner.
Brass has been newly polished but shows wear (patina/smudges/spot of peeling and general wear as shown). Remains an attractive, striking decorative tabletop object in good, vintage condition.
Measures: height: 9.5″ (5.13″ without lid) x diameter: 8.5″.
SKU: IBB18
Italian Modernist Brass And Leather Desk Set with Letter Opener and Scissors
$450.00Vintage brass-plated scissor and letter opener set contained within a leather holder (ca. 1960, Italy).
Brass finish has rubbed off in places from natural aging along with general wear, and leather holder shows patina/wear consistent with age and use.
Overall: H: 11″ x L: 4.25″ x D: 1.5″
Holder alone: H: 5.5″ x L: 4.25″ x D: 1.5″
Scissors: L: 9.13″ x D: 2.63″
Letter Opener: L: 10.88″ x D: 1″
Italian Modernist Brushed Aluminum “Pear” Ice Bucket
$600.00Mid-Century Italian Modern brushed aluminum ice bucket with white plastic insulated bucket (ca. late 1960s/early 1970s, Italy).
Features a textured, sculptural stem decoration that serves as the handle for removing the top.
Measures: Height: 11.5″ (5.5″ without lid) x Diameter: 7.88″
Stamped “Made in Italy.”
Excellent, vintage condition with only light scuffs, as shown.
SKU: IBBAL12