Piero Fornasetti and Gio Ponti

transfer-printed board depicting architectural trompe-l'oeuil in black and white, the concave pediment above a concave recess flanked by cupboard doors enclosing glass shelves, the lower section with a fall front above three drawers, on tapering brass feet

Themes & Variations, London,
where purchased by the current owner in the 1980s

 

Mariuccia Casadio, Fornasetti, I. L'artista alchimista, II. La bottega Fantastica, 2009, p.357

An impressive and eye catching piece of good overall appearance. Minor old marks and scratches in places, consistent with age and use. Some minor losses to laminate in places, such as to a 2cm section to the flat section between the fall front and the drawers, and minor chips to the corners. One or two small areas of retouching. Another area of loss c. 2cm by 1cm to the base of the interior of the upper cupboard. Not tested or guaranteed for electricity. Upper recess and fall front section to base with lighting, not tested or guaranteed. One foot slightly loose. With four keys. Ready for use and display.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The prototype 'Architettura' trumeau was designed by Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti in 1951 and is now in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Executed by the cabinetmakers I Fratelli Radici, it features the unusual concave top seen on the current lot. Shortly afterwards in 1953 another version, with a flat top and square legs, was designed. Around 40 examples of this variant form were produced over the next twenty years and again in an edition of 10 in the 1980s, but Piero Fornasetti returned to the design of the prototype in 1980 and oversaw its first production with the intended concave top in an edition of just four examples. The current lot is one from this edition of four.