Nerone and Patuzzi furniture is a shining example of the experimental side of mid-century modern design. While the style is known mainly for its clean lines and simple forms, this Italian duo showcased how artistic it could be. Together, they designed beautiful abstract and figurative sculptures, as well as sculptural coffee tables and wall lights.
Gianni Patuzzi (1932–2022) and Giovanni Ceccarelli (1937–1996), who went by the name Nerone, worked together under the NP2 Group. They met while they were both students at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia and were acquainted again in Turin in 1959. The two struck up a fruitful partnership, and in 1962, they started the NP2 Group out of a studio in the Borgaro Torinese northwest of the city.
The idea behind the NP2 group was to integrate art with architecture and furniture making, bringing it out of museums and making it more accessible. The studio of the two young designers quickly became an exciting hub of innovation, attracting talented designers and artists like Marcel Breuer and Emilio Vedova.
In 1964, Nerone’s younger brother, Piercarlo Ceccarelli, joined the NP2 Group as a manager and administrator. Ceccarelli was instrumental in creating relationships with galleries, showrooms and architects throughout Europe and the United States. The group began receiving both public and private commissions.
By the late 1960s, the work of Nerone and Patuzzi was being exhibited around the world, earning recognition and awards. Their designs included everything from furniture and fittings to monumental sculptures. They utilized a wide range of techniques, including woodworking, metalworking and marble engraving.
Around this time, Nerone and Patuzzi began working on individual side projects, but they continued collaborating as the NP2 Group until 1974.
In an interview with the European Parliamentary Research Service in 2016, Patuzzi reflected fondly on his time collaborating with Nerone, remembering that they worked hard but with great enthusiasm.
On 1stDibs, find Nerone and Patuzzi decorative objects, tables, lighting and more.
Aluminum centerpiece sculpture by NP2 Nerone and Patuzzi
By Nerone Giovanni Ceccarelli, Gruppo NP2, Giancarlo Patuzzi, Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Lugo, IT
Aluminum centerpiece sculpture by NP2 Nerone and Patuzzi. Casting defect. Used but in good condition. Thank you.
Aluminum
$2,362
H 1.97 in W 10.04 in D 10.04 in
Brutalist NP2 Nerone & Patuzzi Hand Forged Iron Vide Poche, Italy 1960s
By Nerone and Patuzzi, Gruppo NP2
Located in Milan, IT
Brutalist NP2 Nerone & Patuzzi Hand Forged Iron Vide Poche, Italy 1960s
Iron
$2,351
H 2.76 in W 19.69 in D 13.98 in
Italian Midcentury Abstract Geometric Silvergrey Aluminum Centerpiece, Sign. NP2
By Nerone Giovanni Ceccarelli
Located in Salzburg, AT
Italian midcentury abstract-geometric silvergrey alumnium bowl designed like a wrinkeled paper, signed NP2 at the bottom Nerone and Patuzzi (sculptor/architect Nerone Ceccarelli & Gi...
Aluminum
"Surge" Polished Aluminum Sculpture by Alexander Liberman
By Alexander Liberman
Located in Stamford, CT
"Surge" a polished aluminum sculpture by Russian or American artist Alexander Liberman (1912 - 1999). Signed and dated. From the estate of ...
Aluminum
Abstract Aluminum Sculpture by James Myford
By James C. Myford
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Myford's interest in aluminium began in 1970 when he attended a workshop sponsored by Alcoa at the art centre in Pittsburgh. "I fell in love with aluminium as a material." ...
Neoclassical Terracotta Centerpiece Sculpture by Joseph Cheret
Located in New York, NY
Our magnificent centerpiece bowl in terracotta by Gustave-Joseph Chéret (1838-1894) is fashioned as a Venetian gondola with Roman goddess seated at the bow and cherubs clinging to ga...
Terracotta
Aluminum Rocket Playground Toy Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This aluminum rocket sculpture was originally a playground spring ride located throughout parks. Spring is not included. It's more sculptural and part ...
Aluminum
Aluminum Lion Sculpture
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French Art Deco aluminum lion sculpture. Plating in different finishes upon request. We are the rare source that has specialized in French Art Deco fo...
Aluminum
Aluminum Sculpture by Aharon Bezalel
By Aharon Bezalel
Located in Highland, IN
The two abstracted figures in this cast aluminium piece by Israeli sculptor Aharon Bezalel b.1926 are very evocative. One seated, one standing, both stripped of their individual iden...
Aluminum
Aluminum Puzzle Sculpture by Bernard Girette
By Bernard Girette
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
‘Le Pentac’ is an aluminum sculpture, made of five individual pieces. The sculpture was made by Bernard Girette around the 1970s. Together, these parts can be configured in countles...
Aluminum
$3,308
H 26.38 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Cast Sculpture of Bronze and Aluminum by Valeriano Trubbiani, Italy
By Valeriano Trubbiani
Located in Milan, Italy
Beautiful sculpture in brass, aluminium and cast iron designed by Valeriano Trubbiani , 1973, Italy. Limited edition of 120 pieces. Number 62. Biography Valeriano Trubbiani (Macerat...
Aluminum, Brass
$10,500 / item
H 7.88 in W 25.6 in D 14.57 in
Sculpture by Todomuta Studio Brushed and Polished Aluminum Silver
By Todomuta Studio
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The sculpture is from Todomuta Studio's Re-Collectors Series. Recognized as a finalist for the AAD (Andalusian Association of Designers) Awards in 2018, the Re-Collectors collection ...
Aluminum
Aluminum and Lucite Trio of Sharks Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique sculpture is composed of three cast-aluminum sharks (representative of a family of sharks given the size disparity between the three) displa...
Steel, Aluminum
Bronze Sculpture by Nerone & Patuzzi, Italy 1970s
By Nerone and Patuzzi, Nerone Giovanni Ceccarelli, Gruppo NP2, Giancarlo Patuzzi
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Bronze sculpture by Nerone Ceccarelli, Italy 1970s. Unique piece made from solid bronze, metal wire and its special original travertine base. The bronze is showing great organic shap...
Travertine, Bronze, Metallic Thread
Nerone E Patuzzi Np2, Sculpture, 1972, Metal
By Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Metal engraving (black on zinc with red inserts), work with signature and date engraved in the metal.
Metal
Sold
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 0.99 in
20th Century Group Np2 Nerone Ceccarelli Giancarlo Patuzzi Metal Sculpture 60's
By Forme E Superfici, Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Turin, Turin
Nerone Ceccarelli was an Italian sculptor. He worked under the banner of research characterized by the integration of art and architecture, while he developed sculptures linked to a ...
Metal
20th Century Group Np2 Nerone Ceccarelli Wooden Sculpture
By Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Turin, Turin
Nerone Ceccarelli was an Italian sculptor. He worked under the banner of research characterized by the integration of art and architecture, while he developed sculptures linked to a ...
Wood
Nerone & Patuzzi Large Wooden Sculpture, 1970s
By Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Wooden sculpture by Nerone Ceccarelli, Italy 1979. Unique sculpture made for a residence in Turin. The sculpture is composed of carved wooden forms, zinc and copper in a very strong ...
Copper, Zinc
Rare Nerone and Patuzzi Monumental Four Panels Sculpture, 1966
By Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Miami, FL
This is a monumental sculptural wall panels by Nerone and Patuzzi, Gruppo NP2. Comprised of four carved panels with modernist symbolic decoration that create a visual feast for the viewer. The carving is masterful with passages done in pyrography adding a lot of subtle detail that contrast with the bold more geometric shapes. Signed and dated 1966, on one panel. The "Gruppo NP2" which Nerone Ceccarelli is one of the founders and practitioners, was created around 1962. Its members are Giovanni Ceccarelli (said Nerone), Luigi Marchisotti, Dedalo Montali...