Model # 1669, Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte
View Similar Items
Model # 1669, Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte
About the Item
- Creator:Fontana Arte (Designer)
- Dimensions:Diameter: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1960
- Condition:Excellent original condition, with some wear to glass and patination to the metal elements.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 03 FA 081stDibs: 12083178561509
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.
- Ovoid Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana ArteBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYModel #2085. Ovoid shaped mirror with thick blue-glass surround, beveled edges and brass mounts. Published in Fontana Arte 6, makers catalog.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsGlass
- Louis XVI Carved and Gilded MirrorLocated in New York, NYNeoclassical style frame of carved and giltwood with large, central antique mirror. The carved top features a musical trophy, laurel wreath, branches and bell flowers draped over the...Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Wall Mirrors
- Fontana Arte Wall LightsBy Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYRare Pair of Sconces by Fontana Arte. Blue colored glass, acid-etched glass, brass. Each sconce takes 1 x E12 (candelabra) bulb.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$16,500 / set - Wall-Mounted Console by Fontana ArteBy Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYGlass, brass. Fantastic system for wall mounting and beautiful slab glass top.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Sconces, Variant of model 1799A by Fontana ArteBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYBrass, frosted glass. Each fixture takes 6 x E12, (candelabra) bulbs. A beautiful and rare model.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$19,500 / set - Model #2088 Chandelier by Max Ingrand for Fontana ArteBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYCarved, polished & frosted glass, nickeled brass. Elegant, shaped glass forms with concave, frosted centers & metal structure. 9 x E12, (candelabra) sockets. A rare model in very goo...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Midcentury, 1960s Fontana Arte Wall Mirror, Console & Sconces, label FontanitBy Fontana ArteLocated in Vigonza, PaduaItalian Elegant very rare, 1960s Fontanit for Fontana Arte console, double wall mirror with two sconces; oval green emerald mirror frame ; with dec...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Fontana Arte Mirror Model 1669, Italy, 1963By Max IngrandLocated in New York, NYMax Ingrand for Fontana Arte classic and elegant round mirror model 1669 in gray-green colored, curved and beveled glass framing mirrored glass encased in brass trim. Dated on reve...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Large Pair Italian Midcentury Oval Mirrors Faceted Crystal Glass Fontana ArteBy Fontana Arte, Cristal ArteLocated in Nierstein am Rhein, DERare large pair of Italian Midcentury oval mirrors with faceted crystal glass and attribution to Fontana Arte or Cristal Arte, Italy around 1950s. The reverse with cardboard and patinated brass hangers for vertical or horizontal installation. The two beauties measure each 77,5 cm / 30.51 inches tall, 47 cm / 18.50 inches wide and 1 cm / 0,39 inches deep. They stay in great original vintage condition, minor wear consistent with age and use. They are an highlight and an upgrade for any midcentury design interior and would perfectly fit to a pair of modern consoles...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsCrystal
$6,510 Sale Price / set23% Off - '1669' Model Circular Glass Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960By Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in London, GBA '1669' model circular concave glass mirror designed by Max Ingrand for the Milanese company, Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This beautiful green bevelled glass example with an inner chr...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsChrome, Brass
- Contemporary Orange Mirror in Style Fontana Arte by Effetto VetroBy Effetto VetroLocated in Milano, ITScenographic wall mirror of contemporary manufacture made by Effetto Vetro in 2010. In style Fontana Arte. They are limited edition. Its semi-circular structure creates a play of spe...Category
2010s Italian Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-century Mirror Attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960sBy Max IngrandLocated in Rome, ITBeautiful mirror attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The mirror is in fume colored faceted glass framed. It is a reflection of something else, and has nothing to do with the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsArt Glass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
We Took Over a Historic Milan Palazzo and Filled It with Edgy Design
With "A New Breed," we showcased exceptional pieces by rising talents, a rapidly growing area of strength among 1stdibs' many offerings.
Mid-Century Master Osvaldo Borsani Gets His Due at Donzella
The New York City gallery has devoted its latest show to the work of the modernist Italian designer.