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Crystal Ashtray, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
€980Bid from €882
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Made in Italy in the 1950s by the renowned manufacturer Fontana Arte, this extraordinary solid crystal ashtray is one of the most emblematic examples of the technical mastery and luminous poetics that made the Milanese company unique. Entirely hand-carved and polished from a single block of crystal, the piece stands out for the refined contrast between the smooth and soft surfaces of the central area and the irregular, chiseled edges that create a sparkling refraction effect. Light, captured and reflected by the material, shapes the volume like a living sculpture, capable of continuously transforming depending on the angle of illumination. The aesthetic language is that of Fontana Arte in the 1950s, a period in which research into crystal was elevated to an art form through complex and entirely manual production processes. The ashtray reflects the stylistic legacy of Pietro Chiesa, founder of the glass workshop, while anticipating the more dynamic formal tensions introduced by Max Ingrand, who would take over the artistic direction in the following decade. More than a simple utilitarian object, this creation is a luminous micro-sculpture in which the material itself becomes architecture. The density and transparency of the crystal, combined with the precision of the cut, convey the image of Italian design poised between functionality and lyricism, between applied art and sculptural gesture. A work of great elegance and visual power, a symbol of the craftsmanship and design vision that made Fontana Arte one of the most important design institutions of the 20th century. In excellent condition, with minimal signs of age, in line with the era.
Product Name: Solid crystal ashtray, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
Designer: Pietro Chiesa; aligned with research anticipating the aesthetic language of Max Ingrand
Year of Design: 1950s
Style: Post-war Italian design, luminous crystal sculpture
Primary Materials: Solid crystal, hand-carved and polished from a single block
Distinctive Design: Contrast between soft, smooth central surfaces and irregular, chiseled edges; complex play of refractions that transforms the volume into a luminous micro-sculpture.
Dimensions: Length 22.5 cm Width 16 cm Height 3 cm
Elegance: Table ashtray/sculptural object; perfect as a decorative element in elegant interiors, consoles, desks, bookshelves or coffee tables.
Design Icon: Eminent example of Fontana Arte's technical mastery in the 1950s, symbol of the craftsmanship and luminous poetics that defined the manufacturing house.
Versatility: Can be used as an ashtray, catch-all, or sculptural object; integrates perfectly with classic, modernist, and contemporary interiors thanks to the purity of the crystal material.
Current Condition: Excellent condition, with minimal signs of age, in line with its vintage nature.
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchasing.
Fontana Arte is one of the most iconic companies in 20th-century Italian design. Founded in Milan in 1932 by Gio Ponti and Luigi Fontana as an avant-garde laboratory dedicated to experimenting with glass and light, the company quickly distinguished itself with an innovative approach that combined architecture, applied art, and industrial production. With the arrival of Pietro Chiesa, master of glass and metal, the company's language took shape through objects in solid crystal, pure forms, and very complex artisanal processes. In the 1950s, artistic direction passed to Max Ingrand, who transformed Fontana Arte into a poetic laboratory of light, creating lamps and objects that have since become absolute icons. Over the decades, the company has maintained a reputation for excellence thanks to its mastery of glass processing, the sculptural quality of its materials, and a constant aesthetic research that redefined the relationship between functionality and art. Today, Fontana Arte remains an international reference for luminous design and the Milanese tradition of artistic glass.
Additional details:
- Style: Post-war Italian design
- Style: luminous crystal sculpture
- Material: Solid crystal
- Period: 1950s
- length: 22.5 cm
Specifications
CategoryTable accessoriesConditionVery goodBrand / designerChiesaBrandFontana ArteHeight3 cmWidth16 cmSeller locationConversano, ItalyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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About this seller
ProfessionalConversano, ItalyOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 0 sales