Wood and Bronze Console Table by Comte, Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1950

Wood and bronze center table by Comte, Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1940.

Glass, bronze and wood low table by Comte. Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1950.

Wood and parchment low table by Comte, Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1950.

Wood and parchment low round table by Comte. Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1950.

Pair of early 20th century Art Déco Jean-Michel Frank-style dark iron rectangular consoles with leather surface by Comte S.A., Argentina By: Comte S.A., Jean-Michel Frank (in the st...

The clean rectilinear form of the Dino Console plays counterpoint to the exotic natural pattern of the black maple wood and is literally and figuratively capped off with burnished br...

small nightstand made of dark wood, glass and brass designed by Ico Parisi and produced in Italy in the 1950s

Console Art Deco Material: Wood and glass and gold Comte (1932-1960) was a design house and the most important manufacturer and importer of furniture and decorative objects in Argentina during the middle of the 20th century. Comte produced furniture in both the English and French styles of the 19th and 20th centuries.1 1932-1936: Training and early years The Comte company was founded in 1932 by Ignacio Pirovano, his brother Ricardo Pirovano and the architects José Enrique Tívoli and Mariano Mansilla Moreno. Later, Celina Pirovano, also an architect and wife of Ricardo Pirovano, would join Comte.2 The main creative force behind Comte was Ignacio Pirovano, who in turn was inspired by Jean-Michel Frank, whom he met in 1920, and his gallery located in Paris on his constant trips to this city. Ricardo Pirovano acted as president of the company and managed the administrative part of the company.3 During its first four years of existence, Comte was located at Avenida Roque Sáenz Peña 1129 and was dedicated to the import, execution and sale of fine furniture and decorative accessories,2 among which were found many pieces of European origin, for later sale. sale to his high society clientele in Buenos Aires. 1936-1942: Company growth On March 30, 1936, the company moved to 10792 Arenales Street and signed an exclusivity agreement with Jean-Michel Frank to produce his designs in the country.3 The French designer served as artistic director of the company. for an indeterminate period.3 At this stage the company specializes in furniture and decorations, carpets, wood coverings and in general everything related to the authorization of the most important works of large departments of the State, public and private companies, both from the country as well as from abroad.2 As examples we can mention the Llao Llao Hotel in Bariloche, Argentina, the Mar del Plata Casino, in Mar del Plata, Argentina and the Banco de la República del Paraguay in Asunción, Paraguay. During that period, several studios were opened: the first in 1937 located at 1164 Segurola Street, the second at 451 Paramaribo (current Fragata Sarmiento Street), quickly followed by new addresses at 1281 Avellaneda, 1536/40 Paseo Colón Avenue, 535 Darwin /43, Francisco Acuña de Figueroa 855 and Deán Funes 1832.2 This reflects the incredible growth of Comte and the company's production capacity. In 1939 Comte moved to 953 Florida Street, where it had an exhibition hall and sales to the public.2 1942-1960s: Expansion into other areas and final years On April 27, 1942, Comte was officially transformed into a Public Limited Company, with an authorized capital of m$n 600,000. For that year, it occupied the imposing premises on 936/40 Florida Street, where it would operate until the end of 1954, when it moved its commercial address to 1832 Deán Funes Street, where it had its industrial establishment.2 By 1946, it centralized all its operation in this last address, to which another location was added located at 1877.2 Luca Street. Consequently, with the experience acquired by organizing its aeronautical section and when the contracts corresponding to this section were suspended, it dedicated itself to preparing its plant for the lines of wooden cabinets in series specializing in cabinets for T.V., radios, transistor radios, combined, stereophonic, tables for sewing machines, among others.2 The company finally closed its doors sometime in the 1960s after the death of one of its founders, Ricardo Pirovano. Commercial items used Three types of commercial items were used by Comte: COMTE S.R.L., COMTE S.A. and COMTE S.A.I.yC. Initially the company was formed as an S.R.L. in the year 19322 (Limited Liability Company) dedicated mainly to the import of furniture from Europe. Around 1937, Comte expanded and formed a second company under the name S.A.2 (Sociedad Anónima) that would be used mainly for the manufacture of furniture and decorative objects under the exclusivity of both national artists (such as Alejandro Bustillo...