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Ugo Trevisan Fireplace in Hammered Steel

About the Item

Ugo Trevisan (Officina d’Arte), fireplace, hammered steel, copper, Italy, 1950s The Turin-based atelier Officina d’Arte was established by the Venetian-born metalworker and designer Ugo Trevisan, in the early 1930s. Trevisan became known for creating highly decorative works that combined innovative materials with traditional craftsmanship. This fireplace, a rare example of his work, showcases his mastery of various metalworking techniques and his expertise in working with different metals. Crafted with great care and precision, it reflects both technical skill and a strong decorative sensibility. The fireplace is constructed from several bent or rolled steel plates, shaped into an elegant semi-conical body that transitions into a tall cylindrical chimney. The fireplace was then given a copper coating through electroplating: the object was submerged in an electrolytic bath in which a thin layer of copper was deposited onto the steel using an electric current. A brass layer was subsequently applied in a similar manner. ⁠Warm golden and reddish tones are organically distributed across the surface. The copper- and brass-plated steel surface was subsequently hammered and brushed, giving the surface an irregular texture. The surface was then patinated and partially darkened, causing the light to reflect unevenly and creating a mottled, copper-like effect. Decorative linear motifs reminiscent of ancient inscriptions are formed by welded metal rods applied directly to the body of the fireplace, creating geometric patterns in low relief. The sides additionally feature carved reliefs and perforations that have been punched and cut through the metal. The handle of the air valve has a similar decorative finish. The piece is further enriched by hand-forged elements, including the slender supporting legs and the fireplace tools, which are suspended from sculptural brackets attached to the body. Biography Ugo Trevisan was a Venetian-born metal artist who opened his art metal workshop Officina d’Arte in the early 1930s in Turin, a city that at the time was not only an industrial powerhouse but also an important center for artistic experimentation and design. Trained under the celebrated Venetian master Umberto Bellotto, Trevisan inherited a strong tradition of artistic metalworking rooted in Venetian craftsmanship. Bellotto himself had been associated with the decorative arts revival in Venice, and this background shaped Trevisan’s approach to metal as both an artistic and architectural medium. From the outset, the atelier distinguished itself through its exceptional expertise in aluminum, a relatively modern material that had become increasingly prominent in architecture and design during the interwar period. Trevisan’s workshop combined traditional metalworking techniques with experimental processes, pushing the aesthetic and technical possibilities of the material. Trevisan gained early recognition when, in 1933, he received second prize at the Mostra dell’Artigianato in Florence for a metal gate of his own design. The award confirmed the artistic ambition of his workshop and placed him within the broader Italian movement that sought to elevate craftsmanship to the level of fine art. The defining feature of Trevisan’s work was his innovative approach to metal fabrication. His atelier experimented with anodization, turning metal both from sheet and solid forms, and welding using copper and brass electrodes to create subtle color contrasts across surfaces. These techniques allowed Trevisan to introduce chromatic richness and sculptural complexity into forged metalwork. Despite these technical innovations, Trevisan remained deeply committed to traditional craftsmanship. Each work produced in the atelier was executed with a high degree of manual skill, often tailored to specific architectural commissions or bespoke interior projects. Rather than abandoning historical forms, Trevisan reinterpreted them through modern materials and techniques. Yet despite this openness to innovation, Trevisan’s practice remained firmly grounded in the culture of the atelier. Unlike the growing number of Italian companies that were adopting mechanized production and serial manufacturing, Trevisan’s Officina d’Arte operated according to the principles of bespoke craftsmanship. Each piece was individually crafted, produced either as a unique work or in small series, using high-quality materials such as aluminum, copper, and brass, finished through complex technical processes.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 136.23 in (346 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Copper,Steel
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    1950-1959
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Waalwijk, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 501183261stDibs: LU933149604052