Mallett 20th C 2013 final_new Mallett catalogue design 14/10/13 15:19 Pagina 100
AN OVAL MIRROR WITH BLUE BORDER
An oval mirror with a shaped, deep blue, glass border, by Fontana Arte, the design attributed to Max Ingrand. Italy, 1958 Height: 35½in/90.5cm Width: 25in/64cm F3D0110
Max Ingrand (Bressuire, 1908 - Paris, 1969), was artistic director of Fontana Arte from 1954 to 1964. One of the greatest glass workers of the 20th century he created pieces that were incredibly avant garde whilst at the same time being commissioned for historical projects, including Nôtre Dame du Pré cathedral at Le Mans and Château de Chenonceau. Many of his most original creations were for Fontana Arte, at a time when postwar Italian design was at its most innovative and influential. Gio Ponti, the architect and co-owner of Fontana Arte, had first celebrated Ingrand’s work in his magazine Domus in March of 1936: “Max Ingr and, through constant research in the technique of acid and sand pr ocessing, surface and depth, achieved a truly masterly craftsmanship refinement. We show his works here as useful examples of decoration, ornament and design which to the perfection and precision of the crafting sometimes add a lyrical inspiration.” LITERATURE
Illustrated in Franco Deboni, Fontana Arte. Umberto Allemandi & C. Turin, 2012 Ill. 417.
A similar coloured crystal Fontana Arte mirror, circa 1958
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