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Luigi Zortea—an artisan who worked in northern Italy from 1921 to 1950—created some of the most intricate and extraordinary works in ceramic during the first half of the twentieth century. The present wall lights are exquisite examples of the type of work for which he is most known. In 1950, Domus eulogized Zortea for the mesmerizing worlds of white flora and fauna that he created in earthenware. The technical mastery of these works, paired with their monochromatic palette, make them deceptively complex. They are dramatic yet graceful.
"To [Luigi Zortea] we owe, among other things, the invention of the white tufts, forest of flowers and birds…in glazed white majolica—one of the gentlest and most poetic inventions." —Domus magazine, December 1950
Gio Ponti recognized Zortea’s talent as early as 1937 when his magazine first featured a photograph of one of the artist’s wall lights in the form of a bounty of ivory-colored flowers with small bird figures interspersed, similar to the present lot. For over a decade, not only did Ponti market Zortea’s work to his readers but he also employed Zortea to create works based on his designs. The architect selected many of these designs for his interiors including those for the Cremaschi apartment in Milan—even photographing this living room, which displayed a similar wall-mounted sculpture, for the cover of the February 1949 issue of Domus—and for the Conte Biancamano, Conte Grande, and Giulio Cesare ocean liners.
Cover of Domus, no. 233 (December 1950) depicting the entryway to Gio Ponti’s Casa Creamaschi, which included a similar work in the wall niche alongside the staircase. Image: © Editoriale Domus S.p.A. A label and signature on the reverse indicate that the present lot was produced for the Artigianato Produzione Esportazione Milano (A.P.E.M.), an organization formed in the 1940s by the department store La Rinascente under the direction of Gio Ponti. In addition to showcasing works by artists like Ponti and Zortea, the organization sought to promote Italian wares abroad, especially in the United States. The sculptural beauty of the present wall lights demonstrates why these works achieved international recognition in the 1940s and, perhaps more importantly, why they remain just as striking today.
Literature
"Le ceramiche," Domus, no. 115, July 1937, p. 15 for a similar example
"Elementi di un ingresso," Domus, no. 233, February 1949, front cover for a similar example
Property from the Estate of Arthur Blane Gresham, Texas
7
Pair of rare wall lights
circa 1949
Glazed earthenware.
Each approximately: 21 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (54.6 x 24.8 x 13.3 cm)
Produced by Artigianato Produzione Esportazione Milano, Milan, Italy. Reverse of each signed ZORTEA/PER/A.P.E.M. and one wall light with paper label printed A.P.E.M/Milano - Via Rovani, 2. Together with a certificate of expertise from the Gio Ponti Archives.
Estimate
$15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $21,420
DesignNewYork@phillips.com
212-940-1268
Design
New York Auction 7 December 2021
1
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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2
Gino Sarfatti
Rare ceiling light, model no. S 00106
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $88,200
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3
Osvaldo Borsani
Chest of drawers
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
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4
Carlo Scarpa
"Corroso" vase, model no. 4101
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $16,380
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5
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Side table, from the "Domus Nova" series
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
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6
Seguso
Pair of ceiling lights
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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7
Gio Ponti and Luigi Zortea
Pair of rare wall lights
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $21,420
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8
Gio Ponti
Pair of rare armchairs, model no. 489
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $88,200
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9
Gino Sarfatti
Floor lamp, model no. 1034
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $45,360
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10
Pietro Chiesa
Rare drinks cabinet
Estimate $16,000 - 22,000
Sold for $6,048
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11
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Two rare ceiling lights
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $21,420
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12
Paolo Buffa
Desk
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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13
Franco Albini
Pair of daybeds, from Villa Neuffer, Ispra, Italy
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
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14
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Occasional table
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $10,710
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15
Pietro Chiesa
Floor lamp
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
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16
Alberto Giacometti
"Étoile" table lamp
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $189,000
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17
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean Dunand
"Chinoise" coiffeuse, model no. 1538 AR/1827 NR
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $75,600
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18
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Table de Canapé Engrenages"
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $94,500
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19
Ingrid Donat
"Miroir Girafe (Petit Modèle)"
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $44,100
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20
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Appliques Rondelles"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $20,160
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21
Jacques Adnet
Cabinet
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $22,680
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22
Paul Dupré-Lafon
Pair of side tables
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $17,640
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23
Jean Royère
"Tour Eiffel" coffee table
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $163,800
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24
Alberto Giacometti
"Figure" floor lamp
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $403,200
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25
Jean Prouvé
Set of four "Semi-metal" chairs, model no. 305
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $81,900
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26
Jacques Adnet
Rare ceiling light
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $69,300
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27
Jean Prouvé
Important cabinet, model no. 150
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $277,200
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28
Charlotte Perriand
Dining table
Estimate $70,000 - 90,000
Sold for $119,700
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29
Georges Jouve
Two "Boule" vases
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $30,240
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30
Jean Prouvé
Rare stool, model no. 307
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $113,400
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31
Jean Royère
Sofa and pair of armchairs
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $226,800
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32
Jean Royère
Rare wall-mounted console table
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $32,760
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33
Georges Jouve
Vide poche
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $13,860
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34
Georges Jouve
Tall "Cylindre" vase
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $88,200
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35
Georges Jouve
Large footed "Cylindre" vase
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $100,800
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36
Jean Royère
"Sculpture" armchair
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $189,000
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37
Alexandre Noll
Large tray
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $21,420
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38
André Arbus
Dining table
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $22,680
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39
Georges Jouve
"Boule" vase
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $15,120
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40
Stilnovo
Adjustable wall light, model no. 2061
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $3,780
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41
Jean Prouvé
Rare "C.P.D.E." armchair
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $50,400
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42
Alexandre Noll
Dish
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $11,340
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43
Rick Owens
"Curial (Black Plywood)" chair
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $27,720
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44
Serge Mouille
"Grand Totem" floor lamp
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $113,400
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45
Jean Prouvé
"Direction" armchair, model no. 352
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $69,300
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46
Jean Prouvé
"Cité" desk, model no. 500
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $10,710
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47
Jean Prouvé
"Antony" chair, model no. 356
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $52,920
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48
Serge Mouille
Pair of "Antony" desk lamps
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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49
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Pair of "Crate" chairs
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $17,640
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50
Charlotte Perriand
"Tokyo" bench
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $50,400
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51
Edmund de Waal
"Plate 1, Part 1, Page 1"
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $52,920
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52
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $138,600
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53
Lucie Rie
Conical bowl
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $138,600
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54
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $35,000 - 40,000
Sold for $44,100
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55
Hans Coper
Pot on cylindrical foot with vertical impression
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $327,600
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56
Hans Coper
Ovoid form
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $138,600
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57
Hans Coper
Large bowl
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $100,800
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58
Hans Coper
Pair of candle holders
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $40,320
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59
Josef Frank
Miniature cabinet, model no. 2225
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $9,450
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60
Axel Johann Salto
"Aktæonmaske"
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $20,160
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61
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $8,190
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62
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $12,600
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63
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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64
Finn Juhl
Rare sofa, designed for a "Bachelor's Apartment" for the "Tidens Møbler 1947" exhibition, Copenhagen
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $37,800
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65
Harry Bertoia
"Sonambient" sounding sculpture
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $37,800
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66
Claude Conover
"Pillow" vessel
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $3,780
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67
George Nakashima
Pair of "Conoid Cushion" lounge chairs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $47,880
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68
Peter Voulkos
Vase form
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
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69
Peter Voulkos
Vase form
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $8,820
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70
Paavo Tynell
Pair of large ceiling lights
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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71
John Nyquist
Unique illuminated floor globe
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $8,190
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72
John Mason
"Grey Figure"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $37,800
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73
Vladimir Kagan
"Contour" rocking chair, model no. 175F
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $37,800
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74
Vladimir Kagan
"Stalagmite" floor lamp
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,710
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75
Vladimir Kagan
Rare L-shaped sofa with "Tri-Symmetric" legs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $26,460
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76
Vladimir Kagan
Swivel boudoir chair
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $7,560
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77
Vladimir Kagan
Early "Serpentine" sofa
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $30,240
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78
Judy Kensley McKie
"Dragon" coffee table
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $107,100
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79
Studio Job
Four-panel screen, from the "Perished" collection
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $44,100
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80
Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Rare daybed
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $13,860
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81
Franco Albini
Set of six "Luisella" chairs, model no. SD9
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $9,450
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82
Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli
Rare "Kono" table
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $11,340
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83
Gino Sarfatti
Pair of wall lights, model. no. 232
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000
Sold for $8,190
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84
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
Unique "Bolotas Sofa (Black)"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $88,200
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85
Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli
"Kono" coffee table
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $2,394
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86
Maria Pergay
"Ring" chair
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $30,240
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87
Alessandro Mendini
"Arado" vase
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $1,638
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88
Alessandro Mendini
"Poltrona di Proust" armchair
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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89
Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Pair of ceiling lights, model no. 2043
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $18,900
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90
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
"Panda Sofa" and "Panda Puff"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $47,880
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91
Tito Agnoli
Ceiling light
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,340
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92
Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua
Pair of "Montecarlo" side tables, from Casa Coggi, Arenzano
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $8,820
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93
Gianfranco Frattini
Sofa, model no. 872
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $11,970
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94
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs, model no. 811
Estimate $28,000 - 32,000
Sold for $52,920
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95
Max Ingrand
Floor lamp, model no. 1819
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $13,860
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96
Gio Ponti
Coffee table, model no. 2155, from the "Modern by Singer" series
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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97
Gino Sarfatti
Ceiling light, model no. 3026/40
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $12,600
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98
Giovanni Ferrabini
Pair of coffee tables
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $11,970
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