Whether you need seating, lighting, or table space, Italian Modern design fulfills the practical need while injecting any interior with fabulous style. To be sure, Italian artists have a long history with eye-catching design, from the Coliseum and Sistine Chapel to Versace clothing and Fellini films. Any space can become marvelous – maraviglioso – when you add a Murano chandelier or a Gio Ponti table.
During a burst of creativity in the second half of the 20th century, Italian designers influenced and interacted with one another. While accepting unique private commissions, they also created innovative forms that could be mass-produced for offices, hotels and private homes. The happy result is a supply of furniture and decorative arts at every price level.
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Massimo Morozzi Chair
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Neutral upholstery has its place but every room needs a focal point of color. This sun-bright concept chair ($663-$765) was designed by Massimo Morozzi (1941-2014). The architect created art and industry designs for everyone from Louis Vuitton to Nissan.
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Glass Sculpture by Ghiro Milan
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A favorite decorative medium, art glass is the perfect entry point into Italian design. This one-of-a-kind, sea-blue sculpture signed by Ghiro of Milan (est. $2,762-$3,187) is a dramatic first step, but like chips and candy, one may lead to many more.
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Gio Ponti Coffee Table
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One of the most celebrated Italian designers, architect Gio Ponti (1891-1979) created buildings around the world including a dramatic castle-shaped North Building for the Denver Art Museum. During his six-decade career, he designed flatware, lamps, sinks and striking furniture forms such as this walnut coffee table ($3,038-$3,506).
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Fornasetti Panel
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The most entertaining member of the modern Italian school, Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) created instantly recognizable designs for furniture, porcelain, and wall art. He had a fascination with faces, as on this 34-inch “Fasi del Sole” wall panel with the shining sun surrounded by the seasons, months and constellations of the zodiac (est. $2,154-$2,486).
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Lot 40 Akaari Pendant Lamp
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Milanese architect and industrial designer Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) created a line of clean-lined lamps and ceiling fixtures for the Italian lighting firm of Oluce. The black-shaded “Akaari” pendant light, 18 inches high, makes a distinctive accent for the dining room or library (est. $1,657-$1,912).
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Sputnik Chandelier
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The spiky antennae of Russia’s Sputnik satellite, sent to orbit in 1957, inspired an explosion of space-age design. Multiple light fixtures in the sale play with the starburst shape, but none is more beautiful than this 24-inch ball of Murano glass rods filled with bright bubbles ($2,652-$3,060).
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Murano Sconces
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Sconces are a more romantic alternative to overhead fixtures; this fluid pair of Triedi Murano examples emits a soft glow to set the mood (est. $1,326-$1,530). The Murano islands in the Venice lagoon were settled by glassmakers in the 13th century, and the workshops there continue to flourish as creative centers for the art.
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Versatile Armchair
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Now upholstered in red and dark grey, this flaring armchair (est. $497-$573) is a spot-on companion for a sleek Italian desk. The splay-legged design is attributed to Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006), whose father Mario founded the Padua firm of Rima to produce metal furniture.
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Ico Parisi Dining Table
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Like many Italian designers, Domenico “Ico” Parisi (1916-1996) began as an architect, and that background can be seen in his furniture constructions. This square teak dining table produced by M.I.M. in Rome has hidden leaves which expand the width to 66 inches (est. $1,080-$1,440).
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Modernist Cabinet by Silvio
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Start big with an expansive rosewood and mahogany wall cabinet with multiple storage possibilities (est. $3,375-$4,500). Designer Silvio Cavatorta came from a distinguished furniture-making family, who had established their Rome workshop in 1869. His work flourished in the 1950s when he executed many carefully crafted commissions.
Focus on a single designer or mix and match. Set the style, light up the room and welcome admiring guests.
More than 60 examples of Italian Modern are featured in the Last Chance by LiveAuctioneers auction May 4. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
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By Karla Klein Albertson