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Carlo Bugatti Chairs

Italian, 1856-1940

Imaginative, bold and full of poetic details, the work of Carlo Bugatti pushed the boundaries of the Art Nouveau style. The Italian furniture designer and decorative artist’s celebrated chairs, tables and other pieces are representative of a range of influences that include European Gothic, Moorish traditions and classical Japanese art. Bugatti’s appetite for experimentation with new forms and materials has fueled the imaginations of designers everywhere.

Bugatti was born in 1856 in Milan. The son of successful interior decorator, sculptor and architect Giovanni Bugatti, Carlo set out to follow in his father’s footsteps, studying architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and working as a cabinetmaker. He moved to Paris in 1875 to continue his studies in design at the prestigious Academie des Beaux-Arts. By the early 1880s, Bugatti had moved back to Milan to continue his career in furniture design.

Antique Bugatti seating, center tables and other large furnishings are visually striking in their level of ornamentation. These works feature hand-carved motifs and were frequently inlaid with luxury materials such as mother-of-pearl, ebony and brass — his distinctive Throne chair (ca. 1900), for example, featured pierced copper and vellum. Detailed themes rooted in nature, stencils and geometric patterns adorn his venturesome decorative screens and handcrafted mahogany and walnut chairs and tables.

In 1888, the designer displayed his work publicly for the first time, showcasing pieces at the Industrial Arts Exhibition in Milan and later at the Italian Exhibition in London. His flamboyant furniture led to his becoming an overnight success among members of the aristocracy, who flooded him with commissions to design custom furniture for their homes. In 1904, Bugatti and his family moved to France, where designed furniture for department stores such as Maison Dufayel and Le Bon Marché. His two sons also pursued work in design — Rembrandt Bugatti became a noted sculptor while Ettore gained renown as a leading automobile designer and manufacturer.

Although his furniture became increasingly subdued in appearance over the years — and he would eventually begin to design serveware and jewelry — Bugatti garnered acclaim throughout his career. He received an award at the 1900 Paris Exposition and exhibited interiors and a furniture collection at the inaugural International Exposition of Modern Decorative Arts in Turin, Italy, in 1902. Today, Bugatti’s work remains on permanent display at the Musée de la Chartreuse in Molsheim, France.

Find antique Carlo Bugatti seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Carlo Bugatti
20th Century, Carlo Bugatti Wooden and Copper Chair, 1900
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Turin, Turin
Many of Carlo Bugatti's superior pieces have been commissioned by some of the Royal Houses of Europe, by some of the great estates of America and Europe, and by some of the most succ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Carlo Bugatti Chairs

Materials

Copper

Rare Walnut Copper and Parchment Side Chair by Carlo Bugatti.
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare carved walnut side chair by Carlo Bugatti upholstered with parchment and inlaid with pewter details and mounted with hammered copper decoration. Beauty & Mischief: The Design Al...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Aesthetic Movement Antique Carlo Bugatti Chairs

Materials

Walnut

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Pair of Chairs from Carlo Bugatti, 1880-1890
Pair of Chairs from Carlo Bugatti, 1880-1890
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Carlo Bugatti chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Carlo Bugatti chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carlo Bugatti chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Carlo Bugatti were created in the modern style in italy during the early 1900s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Tobia Scarpa, Arflex, and Giorgetti S.p.A.. Prices for Carlo Bugatti chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $28,500 and can go as high as $65,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $46,750.

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