"Turtle" pocket emptier by Gabriella Crespi in silver metal and shell
About the Item
- Creator:Gabriella Crespi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.76 in (7 cm)Width: 6.3 in (16 cm)Depth: 4.34 in (11 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Roma, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6911239134902
Gabriella Crespi
Bronze discs that open up like clamshells for storage and fold back in to become side tables. Sleek cubes barely suspended off the ground that transform into full-size dining tables. Clean-lined boxes that contain multilevel shelving. Looking at the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, born in 1922 and who still produced furniture in her Milan studio until her death in 2017, it’s hard to believe that many of these highly functional pieces — modernist Rubik’s Cubes of materials, colors and ergonomics — were created decades ago.
Among her best-known creations, the bronze Ellisse table, 1976, and her bronze-and-lacquer Yang-Yin bar, 1979, encapsulate a designer who had a strong dualism in her vision, mixing humble and precious materials, for instance, or creating geometric shapes that were softened by sensual surfaces. Crespi began studying architecture in 1944 at the Politecnico, in Milan, where she was among just a handful of women, and became profoundly influenced by the work of Charles-Édouard "Le Corbusier" Jeanneret and Frank Lloyd Wright. After getting married and having children, she launched her own collections, from jewelry to furniture, and soon gained a loyal following, with design houses such as Maison Dior snapping pieces up for their own lines.
She began work on her most iconic collection, Plurimi, in the late 1960s, and the series — including her Dama table, which plays on the themes of volume, light and adaptability that Crespi has explored throughout her career — flourished through the 1970s and early ’80s. Then there is her famed Z desk, from a mid-1970s series, which manages to be both stylish and humorous, looking like it’s ready to leap off the floor at any moment. Well-born and beautiful, Crespi garnered attention among the jet set. She was a muse to Valentino, and her pieces appeared in the homes of Princess Grace of Monaco, the Shah of Iran and Greek shipping magnate George Livanos.
In 1987, with her children now adults, the designer surprised everyone when she moved to the foot of the Indian Himalayas to study with the guru Sri Muniraj. This turned into a 20-year self-imposed exile that, if anything, made her pieces even more sought-after by collectors.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Roma, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Windproof Ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, 1970sBy Gabriella CrespiLocated in Roma, RMWindproof Ashtray made in nickel-plated brass with signature on the bottom. Design and Production: Gabriella Crespi Date of creation: 1973. Posted i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Ashtrays
MaterialsBrass
- 70's Decorative Box for Fiches by Gabriella CrespiBy Gabriella CrespiLocated in Roma, RMFiches box by Gabriella Crespi 1970 made of brass. Internal wood lining. Design and Production: Gabriella Crespi Date of creation: 1968. Posted in the Gabriella Crespi Archive at N...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Ceramic Turtle Table Lamp by Zaccagnini, 1970sBy Ugo ZaccagniniLocated in Roma, RMTurtle shaped table lamp in white glazed ceramic. Designed by Ugo Zaccagnini, 1970s. Complete with straw lampshade and wooden base.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Straw
- Romeo Rega Coin Tray in Metal and Brass from 1980sBy Romeo RegaLocated in Roma, RMRomeo Rega coin tray in metal and brass from 1980s. The product consists of a set of three pieces.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Coffee Table in Metal and Brass with Glass Top, 1980sLocated in Roma, RM1980s coffee table in metal and brass with glass top Dimensions: 130 W x 37 H x 80 D cm Materials: metal, brass and glass. Italian manufacture 1980.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Willy Rizzo coffee table in chromed metal and dark glass.By Willy RizzoLocated in Roma, RMWilly Rizzo coffee table in chromed metal and dark glass. Product details Dimensions: 95 W x 35 H x 95 D cmCategory
Late 20th Century Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970sBy Gabriella CrespiLocated in Munich, DEUnique outstanding Tibetan bull designed by Gabriella Crespi in brushed metal in the 1970s. A wonderful single piece and signed on the bottom. Maybe it was a prototype.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBrass
- 1970s Italian Rattan Faux Bamboo Brass Centerpiece Tray, Gabriella Crespi StyleBy Gabriella Crespi, Dior HomeLocated in Barcelona, ESMDM Basket Centerpiece Tray in Rattan with Faux Bamboo Rim Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern decorative rattan faux bamboo brass centerpiece / tray. Handcrafted in Italy, 1970s. Round...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsBrass
- Italy Post Modern Silverplated and Silver Bowl Following Gabriella Crespi StyleBy DD DimoreLocated in Brescia, ITThis contemporary vase in silver plate, with details in signed solid silver (the four feet and decorative freizes on the two opposite sides) is a table accessories designed by DD Dim...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver, Silver Plate
- Large 30cm Rattan and Brass Bowl element in Crespi Albini Style, Italy, 1970sBy Gabriella Crespi, Franco AlbiniLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: bowl element Origin: Italy Design: In style of Franco Albini and Gabriella Crespi Age: 1970s Description: This original vintage bowl element was designed and pr...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsRattan
- DelCampo “Pocket Emptier” Rame Smaltato, 1956, ItalyBy Del CampoLocated in Milano, ITDelCampo “Pocket Emptier” Rame Smaltato, 1956, Italy.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Other Centerpieces
MaterialsEnamel
- Venini Empty Pockets Murano Glass, 1950, ItalyBy VeniniLocated in Milano, ITVenini Empty pockets murano glass 1950 Italy.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Other Centerpieces
MaterialsMurano Glass