Italian Design

Among the more than 250 lots of the auction 'Italian Design' we can delight you with a particularly wide variety of names, themes and materials

In addition to the popular design classics, some very special treasures leap out. The outstanding manufacturer of masterful glass objects, Fontana Arte Milano, is represented with a rare coffee table. The simple design language of the metal frame is combined here with a concave mirror glass top. The table thus becomes a true chameleon of the interior, as it reflects its surroundings. The masterpiece, created around 1958 under the artistic direction of Max Ingrand, is valued at 25.000 - 30.000€.

Ettore Sottsass’ tall totems are icons of modern ceramic art. Limited to only 20 pieces each, the totems are the largest ceramics Sottsass ever designed, reaching heights of over 200 cm. The models 'Minareto' and 'Menta' are part of the 'Mirabili' series created in 1986 by Sergio Cammilli (founder of the furniture manufacturer Poltronova, Pistoia), for which he collaborated with various architects and artists. The model 'Menta' is one of the first totem designs by Ettore Sottsass. He conceived it already in 1967 from six ceramic pieces, but it was not being produced at that time. The 'Menta' totem in this auction was executed as artist proof (P/A). The models now on offer in the auction will be called up with estimated prices of 20.000 - 25.000€.

Hundred times Hundred: We see a colorful mix of patterns in the complete series of 'Make Up 100%' vases by Italian manufacturer Alessi. The company, known for extravagant kitchen utensils, commissioned Alessandro Mendini to create an artistic collection that keeps fascinating collectors and is in high demand today. Mendini designed the shape of a lidded vase, one hundred international artists created its surface decorations, representing the wide spectrum of geometric, figurative, expressive and minimalist. One hundred numbered copies of each model were produced. The lidded vases offered at Quittenbaum’s - in excellent condition - are from the first series, which is particularly popular among collectors, and will be called up for an attractive lower estimate of 20,000€.

In the field of lighting design we offer some famous models. Look forward to lighting design by Gino Sarfatti such as: the UFO-shaped ceiling light '2047B', unpretentious floor lamps '1055', plate lamps '262B' and an extremely rare '1090/o' floor lamp - all created in the 1950s - 1970s, at starting prices between 1.000€ and 9.000€.

An eye-catcher is the 'Gherpe' light by the designer group Superstudio. Designed in 1967, the neon pink light object made of then-innovative plastic is on sale for an estimated 2,000 - 2,200€, a reasonable price. Equally striking are the two 'Tit Lamp' wall sconces that Job Smeets designed with great humor for Venini (estimate 3,200 - 4,000€). Mario Botta's black and white striped 'Shogun' lamps are on offer in two different versions: table (1.000 - 1.500€) and floor lamp (2.000 - 2.500€). The 'MT' table light from 1969 designed by Gianfranco Mattioli casts atmospheric rays of light into the room (3.600 - 4.000€), the light reflections of Marzio Cecchi’s futuristic lamp are similarly dispersing (estimate 10.000 - 12.000€).

Comfort and coziness in everyday life is provided with this seating furniture: from the ‚Soriana' series, designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa in 1970, we offer two armchairs (estimate 3.000 - 4.000€), a settee (3.000 - 4.000€) and a three-seater sofa (3.500 - 4.500€), covered with a chocolate brown contemporary textile. The adjustable back and the soft velvet upholstery of the ‚Mamounia' armchair make it particularly attractive. Designed by George Sowden in 1985, the armchair with concise fabric pattern by Nathalie Du Pasquier was assessed with realistic estimate of 3.000 - 4.000€. Furthermore, seating furniture by Cini Boeri, Mario Bellini and various Italian manufactures are on offer.

Record players, radios and speakers - Italian designers and manufacturers have produced top performances in this field as well! Around 20 lots made by Brionvega, Lorenz and Phonola, designed by Mario Bellini, Richard Sapper and Marco Zanuso. For call prices starting from 100€.

All lots can be viewed from October 5 to 10 at our premises at Theresienstrasse 58 and 60.

As expected, the highlights of the offer of the auction 'Italian Design' on October 10 met with particularly great interest.

In our post auction sale you will find other exciting objects and design classics from Italy such as the table lamp 'Porcospino' by Marzio Cecchi (1971), the armchair with ottoman 'Elettra' by Studio B.B.P.R., designed in 1951 as well as Ico Parisi's decorative wall coat rack 'Cerere - 1801' made of a beautiful combination of wood, leather and brass sheet (designed in 1959).