A rare pair of armchairs, 1952

Details

GIO PONTI (1891-1979)
A rare pair of armchairs, 1952
manufactured by I. S. A., Bergamo, Italy, walnut, brass, leather upholstery
each 41 high x 26 ¾ wide x 28 ¼ deep in. (104 x 68 x 72 cm.)

Provenance

Wright 20, 9 December 2008, lot 144;
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Literature

Domus, no. 280, March 1953, n.p. for an advertisement of this design;
I. De Guttry and M. P. Maino, Il Mobile Italiano Degli Anni Quaranta e Cinquanta, Rome-Bari, 1992, p. 237, fig. 24, for a period photo of this design.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 20%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. Where applicable Customs duty will be charged (per rate specified by HMRC guidance) on the Hammer price and VAT will be payable at 20% on duty. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction. This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Lot Essay

The present model represents an elegant, sculptural evolution of the high-back lounge chairs, often featuring attenuated wings that Ponti began to develop towards the late 1930s. Unlike those precedents however, the present design reveals a lightness of touch that allows the upholstered elements, secured by brass pins, to float within a space delineated by the organically undulating profile of the carved walnut frame. Designed in 1952, the design acknowledges the craft of the Danish designers, Finn Juhl included, who exhibited the year prior at the prestigious Milan Triennale, however the structure’s fluid agility, anchored by dramatic wings, displays Ponti’s characteristic verve for stylish innovation.

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