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Early and Rare Illuminated Cocktail Cabinet with Eggshell Front by Aldo Tura

$17,751.90
£12,995
€15,278.21
CA$24,347.83
A$27,365.35
CHF 14,251.15
MX$332,830.38
NOK 182,360.97
SEK 172,931.95
DKK 114,026.49
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About the Item

Aldo Tura Eggshell Cocktail Cabinet, Italy, 1930s/1940s A rare and sophisticated cocktail cabinet by Aldo Tura, crafted in Milan in the 1930s/1940s. The cabinet’s standout feature is its front and side panels, meticulously inlaid with a mosaic of hand-applied eggshell beneath a lustrous lacquer finish—a technique Tura famously adopted and elevated to an art form. Subtle incised linework on the front panel depicts a stylized female figure, adding a note of graphic elegance to the richly textured surface. The cabinet’s body is framed in bubinga or plum-pie mahogany veneer, with sharply tapered legs and sculpted detailing typical of Tura’s early work, where Art Deco influence met Italian modernism. The craftsmanship throughout is impeccable, speaking to the atelier-level production standards Tura upheld. A highly collectible piece from one of Italy’s most original postwar designers, this cabinet captures the glamour and innovation that distinguish Tura’s oeuvre—and stands apart in a field now replete with contemporary imitations. The interior of the cabinet is as functional as it is beautiful, illuminated by integrated lighting that enhances its mirrored shelves, creating a luxurious display for glassware and spirits. The two half-circular mirrored shelves provide ample storage and an elegant presentation for entertaining essentials. In the centre of the interior of the cabinet, a cylindrical light fixture softly illuminates the interior, creating a warm and inviting ambience. This light, combined with the mirrored shelves, casts a beautiful glow that highlights the contents of the cabinet. Restored and refinished 1930s/1940s Aldo Tura (1909–1963) was an Italian designer best known for his luxurious and distinctive furniture pieces made in Milan from the 1930s through the 1960s. He worked in a style that blended Art Deco glamour with postwar modernism, and his signature was the use of rich, unconventional materials—often painstakingly applied by hand. One of Tura’s most iconic techniques was the use of crushed or whole eggshell in lacquer, applied in delicate, mosaic-like surfaces. These eggshell veneers were sealed with layers of clear lacquer, resulting in a textured, subtly iridescent finish. The technique had roots in earlier Asian decorative arts, but Tura brought it into a modern European context. He applied it to cabinets, bar carts, tables, and decorative boxes, often pairing it with sculptural brass or parchment details. Each eggshell-covered piece was labor-intensive, which limited production and made them relatively rare. Tura’s work has since become highly collectible, especially those with distinctive patinas or bold colorations like oxblood, emerald green, and parchment white.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41.34 in (105 cm)Width: 36.03 in (91.5 cm)Depth: 18.12 in (46 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1935
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4787240850722

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