Lot Essay
The present chest of drawers formed part of the interior of Gio Ponti's last home at Via Dezza 49, Milan (see Domus No. 334, 1957), where he resided from 1957 until his death in 1979. Ponti considered the chest of drawers to be a '..small precious jewel', and placed it accordingly as a focal point at one end of a long hallway in the room of his daughter.
The paintings on the front and top of the chest of drawers by Edina Altara are based on the theme of Homer's Odyssey, depicting Ulysses, husband of Penelope, the Greek hero of the Trojan war and his long wanderings homewards. Edina Altara was a Sardinian artist who collaborated with Ponti on several occasions, working together with him on private commissions in Milan during the 1950s.
This lot is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the daughter of Gio Ponti, Anna Patrassi, dated 24. February, 1998.
Cf: Domus, No. 334, September 1957, pp. 21-27
Irene de Guttry and Maria Paola Maino, Il Mobile Italiano degli Anni '40 e '50, Milan, p. 237, pl. 21
Ugo La Pietra, Gio Ponti, L'Arte si innamora Dell'Industria, Coliseum, p. 252 & 253, pl. 528
The paintings on the front and top of the chest of drawers by Edina Altara are based on the theme of Homer's Odyssey, depicting Ulysses, husband of Penelope, the Greek hero of the Trojan war and his long wanderings homewards. Edina Altara was a Sardinian artist who collaborated with Ponti on several occasions, working together with him on private commissions in Milan during the 1950s.
This lot is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the daughter of Gio Ponti, Anna Patrassi, dated 24. February, 1998.
Cf: Domus, No. 334, September 1957, pp. 21-27
Irene de Guttry and Maria Paola Maino, Il Mobile Italiano degli Anni '40 e '50, Milan, p. 237, pl. 21
Ugo La Pietra, Gio Ponti, L'Arte si innamora Dell'Industria, Coliseum, p. 252 & 253, pl. 528