by Andrea Schito
The Department of Decorative Arts and Twentieth-Century Design, with its results from the first semester of 2017 and the June 15th/16th auction, totalling 1,412,908 euro (with a percentage of lots sold of 72.1% and lots sold in terms of value of 174.5%), not only achieved the best ever result for the Department but also confirmed its very strong position in the Italian market as well as internationally.
The hammer price paid for a pair of armchairs by Franco Albini (the Fiorenza model from the 1940’s) in wood, metal and brass, sold for 99,200 euro and was a particularly interesting result. A floor lamp by Pietro Chiesa, model no. 1098, for Fontana Arte from the 1940’s, in polished brass, was sold for 24,510 euro. A ceiling light by Angelo Lelii from the 1950’s for Arredoluce, in brass and opaline glass was sold for 22,320 euro, whilst an elegant pair of armchairs by Gio Ponti from the 1950’s, in wood and padded fabric was sold for 13,640 euro. A wall light by Carlo Scarpa for Venini from the 1940’s, in brass and acid-oxidised glass, reached 12,400 euro. The same result was achieved for both a pair of armchairs also by Gio Ponti, model 516, for Cassina, from the 1950’s in wood and padded fabrica, and a ceiling light by Max Ingrand, model 1498, for Fontana Arte, 1960’s, in brass, aluminium and crystal.