LONDON.- Phillips in association with Italian auction house Cambi announced the sale of the collection from the apartment Casa Lucano, designed by Gio Ponti in 1951. Comprising a total of 30 lots, the sale of the ‘Casa di Fantasia’ illustrates a milestone in Ponti’s oeuvre and his highly individual approach to design. It is a celebration of the architect’s collaboration with other artists and craftsmen, including Piero Fornasetti, Edina Altara, Giordano Chiesa, among others.

Domenico Raimondo, Head of Design, Europe, said “We are delighted to partner with Cambi Auction House for this exciting sale. The lots on offer from this important interior represent and celebrate the unique approach to design by Ponti through his collaboration with artists, craftsmen and designers alike. Edina Altara, Piero Fornasetti, Fausto Melotti, Giordano Chiesa (to name a few) have all collaborated and worked under the guidance of Ponti to create this extraordinary metaphysical scenery, which incorporates some of the most iconic and sought after designs from the architect. This extensively published interior is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the market to take a glimpse of what has been achieved by post-war Italian design at its highest expression through the integration of different crafts. Through showcasing the contents of this apartments, in partnership with Cambi Casa d’Aste, Phillips continues to be at the forefront of Italian 20th Century Design. We look forward to presenting this sale to new and established collectors of Ponti and Italian design.”

Among the most prolific talents to grace twentieth-century design, Gio Ponti defied categorization. Though trained as an architect, he made major contributions to the decorative arts, designing in such disparate materials as ceramics, glass, wood and metal. A gale force of interdisciplinary creativity, Ponti embraced new materials like plastic and aluminum but employed traditional materials such as marble and wood in original, unconventional ways.

In the industrial realm, he designed buildings, cars, machinery and appliances — notably, the La Cornuta espresso machine for La Pavoni — and founded the ADI (Industrial Designer Association). Among the most special works by Gio Ponti are those that he made in collaboration with master craftsmen such as the cabinetmaker Giordano Chiesa, the illustrator Piero Fornasetti and the enamellist Paolo de Poli.

Highlights
Featured amongst the highlighted lots designed for Casa Lucano are glazed earthenware ceramics, including the Large king and queen statuettes (estimate: £15,000-20,000), Two pistol-form sculptures (estimate: £4,000-6,000), and a Wall light with niche and hand with flowers statuette (estimate: £10,000-15,000). Selected furniture highlights from the sale include a Chest of drawers designed by Gio Ponti with painted mirrored glass by Edina Altara, circa 1951 (estimate: £45,000-65,000) and a burr walnut-veneered Low table designed by Gio Ponti, circa 1951 (estimate: £15,000-20,000)