Arturo Pani Obelisks

Arturo Pani has been called the Jean Royère of Mexico. Like the adored French master of the mid-20th century, Pani won an upper-class clientele who appreciated the vivacity and exuberance he brought to interiors. His specialty was using new materials to reinterpret traditional stylings — the sensuous curves and arabesques of the Rococo; stately neoclassical motifs — for a modern context. Pani's work is a thing apart: at once theatrical and distinguished, playful and grand.

Pani was born to splendid settings. His father was Mexico’s ambassador to France, and both Pani and his brother Mario, a noted architect of the International style, would study at the prestigious École des Beaux Arts in Paris. Pani made his name in the late 1930s by designing lavish interiors that belied the austere facade of his brother’s new Hotel Reforma in Mexico City. Mexico’s affluent class welcomed Pani’s technique for juxtaposing Mario’s sleek modernist architectural envelope with voluptuous decor. His style became known as the “Acapulco look” in the 1930s, when Pani became the blossoming Pacific resort’s decorator of choice to the jet set. Pani’s own Acapulco villa would become a favorite backdrop for the society photographer Slim Aarons.

Though Pani frequently created furniture along the strict, geometric lines associated with mid-century modernism — and did, on occasion, produce pieces with wildly flowing futuristic lines — his signature designs were those that offered an idiosyncratic, spare-yet-sumptuous take on historical forms.

Pani’s favorite material was wrought iron, usually gilded. With it, he produced tables with elaborate sheaf-of-wheat bases, or scrolling baroque supports; chairs with frames made of iron rods bent to suggest the sinuous seatbacks and cabriole legs of Louis XV pieces; or — jumping a stylistic generation forward — designs with Louis XVI elements such as arrows and chevrons. Pani’s work has again become chic. As you will see on these pages, like few others, Arturo Pani had a true sense of drama. Virtually everything he designed is a showstopper.

Find vintage Arturo Pani coffee tables, armchairs, side tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Arturo Pani

Arturo Pani Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pair of Iron Obelisks

By Arturo Pani

Located in Mexico City, MX

Pair of Mexican Mid-Century Modern iron obelisks. The obelisks show green patina.

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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Iron

Arturo Pani Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pair of Iron Obelisks

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Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Metal, Iron

Pair of Polished Cast Iron Obelisks

H 25.01 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in

Pair of Black Marble Obelisks

Located in Houston, TX

Lovely pair of Black Marble Obelisks.

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Mid-20th Century French Arturo Pani Obelisks

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Marble

Pair of Black Marble Obelisks

H 20 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in

Pair of Mid-Century Onyx Marble Horse Head Bookends Library Mexico

Located in Toronto, CA

Striking and sculptural, this pair of large Mid-Century marble horse head bookends exudes timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Made in Mexico circa 1970s, each piece is expertly carv...

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Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

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Onyx

Pair of Mid-Century Onyx Marble Horse Head Bookends Library Mexico

H 6.25 in W 2.5 in D 3.75 in

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Neon Yellow Italian Murano Glass Obelisk

By Cenedese

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare 'new old stock' polished faceted Murano glass obelisk in a beautiful light neon yellow colored / coloured glass, made circa 1970. Won...

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Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

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Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Neon Yellow Italian Murano Glass Obelisk

H 11.82 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

By Cenedese

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare pair of Murano solid light blue colored / coloured faceted glass obelisks, made circa 1970. Wonderful Italian glass and perfect as an...

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Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

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Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

H 11.97 in W 3.47 in D 3.47 in

Pair of Acrylic Obelisks

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very modern and sleek pair of acrylic obelisks. The pair are the perfect compliment to any space - interiors from modern to traditional.

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20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Acrylic

Pair of Acrylic Obelisks

H 15 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

By Cenedese

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare pair of Murano solid light blue colored / coloured faceted glass obelisks, made circa 1970. Wonderful Italian glass and perfect as an...

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Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

H 12.13 in W 3.51 in D 3.51 in

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Faceted Obelisk Sculpture

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Faceted Obelisk Sculpture, Japan 1980's. Impressive piece to add to a collection as well as feature on a side, console or coffee table.

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20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

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Crystal

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Faceted Obelisk Sculpture

H 12 in W 2.65 in D 2.65 in

Pair of 20th Century Carved Wood Obelisks

Located in Houston, TX

Pair of 20th Century Carved Wood Obelisks. Handsome pair of 20th century Neoclassical style black and brown carved wood obelisks. This listing is for a pair.

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1960s Unknown Classical Greek Vintage Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Wood

Pair of 20th Century Carved Wood Obelisks

H 19.25 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

By Cenedese

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare pair of 'new old stock' Murano solid light blue colored / coloured faceted glass obelisks, made circa 1970. Wonderful Italian glass a...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks

H 12.01 in W 3.43 in D 3.43 in

Pair of 1920s Granite Obelisks

Located in Charlottesville, VA

Multi color stone obelisks. Very impressive.

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1920s French Vintage Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Granite

Pair of 1920s Granite Obelisks

H 26 in W 6 in D 6 in

Pair of Mid 20th Century Italian Green Alabaster Obelisks

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Pair of Mid 20th Century Italian Green Alabaster Obelisks. Both in good condition.

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Mid-20th Century Italian Arturo Pani Obelisks

Materials

Alabaster

Pair of Mid 20th Century Italian Green Alabaster Obelisks

H 12.5 in Dm 3 in

Arturo Pani obelisks for sale on 1stDibs.

Arturo Pani obelisks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arturo Pani obelisks, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original obelisks by Arturo Pani were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 1960s. Prices for Arturo Pani obelisks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,200 and can go as high as $1,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,200.