Recognized as a key player in the post-war design market, PIASA for its second sale at the Royal Skating Rink in Brussels on December 18, 2018, will offer a new transversal perspective combining Brazilian and Italian design.
"Brazilian and Italian Design: Two countries, one history" will highlight the similarities between these two production centres, both stylistically and culturally, by offering a selection of pieces by the greatest designers.
Gio Ponti, protagonist of the renewal of Italian design
After studying at the Milan Polytechnic, Gio Ponti began his career in the manufacture of art ceramics. In 1927, he opened his first studio with Emilio Lancia where he merged architecture, decoration and design. Shortly afterwards, he founded the magazine DOMUS, which highlighted the Novecento and neoclassical style, which he particularly liked.
At the same time, his collaboration with decorators and designers such as Lio Carminati began, with whom he designed, among other things, a game table in 1942.
During his career, Gio Ponti has built more than a hundred buildings all over the world and has designed a considerable number of decorative art objects and furniture. Among his most famous pieces are the Giordano Chiesa Publishing office models, two of which will be presented at this sale.
Lot 90 - Gio Ponti (1891-1979) & Lio Carminati (XX)
Game Table
Walnut, brass and velvet
Creation Date : 1942
H 10 x D 115 cm
Estimate : 15 000 - 20 000 €
Franco Albini, an innovative and inspiring approach
Franco Albini graduated as an architect from the Politecnico di Milano in 1929 and began his career with Gio Ponti. He participated in the editorial staff of the magazine "Casabella" and became one of the spokespersons for the Italian cultural panorama. He exhibited his work at the Milan Triennial and opened his first studio in 1931.
Through his creations, design blends with traditional Italian craftsmanship in new forms of modernism as evidenced by the pair of lacquered metal and rattan chairs Dal Vera Antonio edition available for auction on Tuesday, December 18.
Lot 189 - Franco Albini (1905-1977), attribué à
Pair of Armchairs
Lacquered and rattan metal
Dal Vera Antonio Edition
Creation Date : circa 1950
Estimate 7 000 - 9 000 €
Jorge Zalszupin, the modern Brazilian design.
On the occasion of this sale, PIASA will present six pieces by Jorge Zalszupin, a major figure in 20th century Brazilian design. The quality of his furniture has survived the ages and his pieces have become timeless.
He settled in Brazil in 1949, a period of urban development in Brazil, influenced by names such as Oscar Niemeyer, Le Corbusier, or Lucio Costa who introduced modernist architecture. This wave of creativity is an ideal context for the development of Jorge Zalszupin's architectural sensuality, which has made him so unique.
Zalszupin's furniture is characterised by bold lines, the use of local wood and meticulous carpentry. He worked alongside Oscar Niemeyer in the design and production of furniture. The pieces designed by Jorge Zalszupin during this period combine the elegance of leather with the raw character of Brazilian wood, such as the bench with magazine holders in plywood, metal and leather.
Lot 95 - Jorge Zalszupin (né en 1922)
"Banco Onda" Model
Bench with magazine rack
Plywood, metal and leather
l'Atelier Edition
Estimate 12 000 - 18 000 €
Joaquim Tenreiro, the affirmation of the identity of Brazilian design
Joaquim Tenreiro plays an essential role in affirming the identity of Brazilian design on the international scene of the 20th century. Born in Portugal, he moved to Brazil at the age of 22 where he began designing furniture. Using wood from Brazil, he created a surprising range of furniture. He first worked for several manufacturers in Rio de Janeiro such as Laubisch-Hirth and then in the early 1940s founded his own workshop. He then used wood from Brazil to create a surprising range of furniture.
It was only in the 1950s that Tenreiro's work began to be recognized and he collaborated with master architect Oscar Niemeyer, for whom he created custom-made furniture. His work has been exhibited in many Brazilian galleries and museums. The most remarkable works of Tenreiro's career include the "Poltrona Branca" armchair model or a pair of caviuna wood side tables that can be found at PIASA during this sale.
Lot 103 - Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992)
"Poltrona Branca" Model
Pair of armchairs
Painted metal, leather and cotton
Estimate 8 000 - 12 000 €
