Max Ingrand Glass Table Lamp for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Fontana Arte (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Diameter: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
Fontana Arte
Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting fixtures, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti.
The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus — at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere.
The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass.
Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels, bold lighting pieces such as the Parola series and the Giova, a combination flower vase and table lamp. As a key incubator of modern design under Aulenti’s tenure, Fontana Arte remained true to its long-held commitment — creating objects that have never been less than daring.
Find vintage Fontana Arte lighting fixtures such as pendants, table lamps and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Omai Vase Table Lamp, Italy, 1956By Max IngrandLocated in Los Angeles, CAMax Ingrand project, 1954, for Fontana Arte, Italy, white satin glass, small brass seal in the vase, metal base, white lacquered. Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting pieces, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Giò Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti. The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard-Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus— at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere. The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass. Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Round Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960sBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in Los Angeles, CAFontana Arte pale transparent shallow concave dish mirror designed by Max Ingrand. A round wall mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy. This model '1669' mirror from the 1960...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Table Lamp Attribuite to Fontana ArteBy Fontana ArteLocated in Los Angeles, CATable lamp attribuite to Fontana Arte, it is a fairly rare lamp and in perfect condition. The switch is to the touch, by touching the small metal wire that can be seen in one of the ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Italian Decorative Box by Fontana Arte 1960sBy Fontana ArteLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe "Vintage Italian Decorative Box by Fontana Arte, 1960s" is a captivating piece. Its silver lid and blue crystal glass base, crafte...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCrystal, Silver
- 1960s Italian Table LampLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful Italian table lamp , the lamp has not the shade and is rewired USA. The condition is excellent original too. Would look amazing in any modern design interior.Category
Antique 1630s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Carlo Nason Handblown Murano Glass Sphere Table Lamp for Mazzega, Italy 1960sBy Mazzega, Murano 5, Carlo NasonLocated in Los Angeles, CAHand blown Murano glass sphere on chrome base by Carlo Nason. Made in Italy, Space Age in the 1960s. The hand blown glass contains bubbles and pockets of air that capture and reflec...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Max Ingrand pair of table lamps for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960sBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in Milan, ITIconic Max Ingrand pair of table lamps model. 2228 for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s All original.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Max Ingrand pair of table lamps for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960sBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in Milan, ITIconic Max Ingrand pair of table lamps model. 2228 for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s All original.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Pair of Large Glass Max Ingrand Lamps for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960sBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in Miami, FLGorgeous pair of white glass lamps with glass shades. Designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsGlass
- Max Ingrand Table Lamp #2278 for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960By Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn old version of the #2278 with green interior shade. The brass has oxidised very nicely over the years. A heavy and stately table lamp with very well chosen proportions and interes...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Italian 1960s Fontana Arte White Glass Lamp by Max IngrandBy Max IngrandLocated in Buchanan, NYThis Italian white glass lamp by Max Ingrand is a remarkable piece of mid-century design from the 1960s. Its minimalist lines and simple form give it a timeless charm, accentuated by...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsGlass
- Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Saucer Table LampBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYBrass and glass 'Saucer' table lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, with ball joint articulation and frosted glass.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Wire