Carlo de Carli - Design London Wednesday, June 30, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Casa Galli, Milan
    Christie's, London, Design, 26 October 2016, lot 106
    Acquired from the above by the present owner

  • Literature

    Roberto Rizzi, ed., Carlo de Carli 1910-1999: lo spazio primario, Milan, 2016, illustrated pp. 124, 280

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present model was exhibited at the IX Milan Triennale, 1951.

    The present settee comprised part of the interiors designed by the architect Carlo de Carli for Casa Galli, Milan in the early 1950s. For the apartment, de Carli conceived a multifunctional space in which to work, dine and relax. One end of the room was covered in rosewood wall panels and illuminated by ceramic wall lights by the artist Lucio Fontana, with additional lighting designed by Gino Sarfatti and Vittoriano Viganò. Across from the dining area, the architect positioned the present settee along with three armchairs of the same design. The seating designs featured laminated birch and solid walnut frames with brass legs and velvet upholstery. The rigidness of each frame was softened by the jewel coloured upholstery, which de Carli also used for the dining chairs. Additionally, the geometry of the side panels created an effect of variation in light. Essential to de Carli’s furniture designs was a response to the human form, anticipating the sitter’s movement and postures to allow for greater comfort. The design also retained a simplicity of construction, which allowed it to be assembled with only 12 brass screws.

131

Rare settee

circa 1951
Laminated birch, walnut, brass, fabric.
77.1 x 135.6 x 70 cm (30 3/8 x 53 3/8 x 27 1/2 in.)
Produced by Anelli e Saita, Milan, Italy.

Estimate
£35,000 - 55,000 

Sold for £52,920

Contact Specialist

Antonia King

Head of Sale, Design

Antonia.King@phillips.com

 

Design

London Auction 30 June 2021