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1930s Luigi Fontana & C. Coffee Table in Crystal Glass Oak and Brass
About the Item
Luigi Fontana & C., coffee table, mirrored crystal glass, crystal glass, oak, brass, velvet, Turin, Italy, 1935
This exceptionally rare Italian coffee table, dating back to 1935, was crafted by the renowned Italian glass manufacturer Luigi Fontana & C., under the leadership of Luigi Fontana. In 1931, the company’s artistic direction was entrusted to the celebrated architect and designer Gio Ponti. The design excels in material interplay, counterbalanced proportions, bold color contrasts, and geometric clarity. The tabletop features a perfectly round, double-layered structure with a transparent glass top, beneath which lies a mirrored glass plate in a delicate light blue tone. An unexpected detail is the reverse side of the plate which offers an alternative surface – richly textured in burgundy-brown velvet. Centrally positioned is a movable oak-framed tray, featuring a vivid green crystal glass insert of outstanding quality. In the 1930s, Ponti acknowledged the rising prominence of such materials, remarking: “Crystal and mirror are on the way to becoming the main features of luxury and outstanding furnishing – an area being won over by art, through new, expert techniques, perfectly executed.”. The use of modern cylindrical legs reflects a hallmark of Fontana Arte’s design language during this period, being frequently featured in the designs by Pietro Chiesa. Additionality, the shape of the legs can be traced back to the Bauhaus movement, which emphasized the use of industrial materials and simple forms. The substantial thickness of the legs is also a characteristic of Nordic design. This cocktail table shows the companies’ commitment to innovation and artistic expression.
The piece bears the signature “Luigi Fontana & C. Torino. 2 Dic 1935”.
Biography
In 1881, the 27-year-old Milanese Luigi Fontana (1892-1948) established Luigi Fontana & C., a glass manufacturing company in Milan. Initially, the firm specialized in plate glass and construction materials. It supplied both functional and decorative glass elements for architectural and interior design applications. In addition to selling glass sheets, the company expanded its operations to include cutting, grinding, silvering, decorating, and binding. These processes had previously been outsourced abroad, as there were no highly specialized firms in Italy at the time capable of carrying out such work. As a result, the company quickly established itself as a leading force in industrial glass production.
A pivotal moment in the company's history occurred in 1930, when Luigi Fontana formed a partnership with the esteemed architect and designer Gio Ponti (1897-1979). Recognized as a visionary in architecture, as well as in the decorative and applied arts, Ponti sought to expand the role of glass beyond its traditional utilitarian functions. Under the brand Luigi Fontana SA, the company began producing its first collections of light fixtures and furniture.
In 1932, further transformation took place with the acquisition of Bottega, a small Milanese artisan workshop founded by Pietro Chiesa, primarily known for the production of artistic stained glass. This acquisition, coupled with Ponti’s artistic leadership, led to the official establishment of Fontana Arte as a design-focused subsidiary that would elevate glass to an artistic and functional medium.
- Dimensions:Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)Width: 38.98 in (99 cm)Depth: 38.98 in (99 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1935
- 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: 501166571stDibs: LU933144270562
About the Seller
4.9
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
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