Incollect Magazine - Issue 4

Issue 4 78 www.incollect.com decorative — classical in form but contemporary in mood and appearance with each arm of the chandelier featuring a clear glass flower-like bobeche. It really makes a statement. There are also several important pieces of furniture on the floor by Paolo Buffa, a master of mid-century Italian design whose prices have been steadily rising. His rare walnut center or game table at soyun k. is adorably simple and refined, and so too is a mahogany and sycamore bar cabinet at Milord. The showstopper here is a 1948 cabinet at Silberman made of rosewood and mahogany with an inlay design of f lowers and musical instruments. It was made by master artisan Giuseppe Anzani. Fontana Arte is a brand that only continues to rise in popularity, especially after the recent retrospective exhibition devoted to the company in Venice, during the Venice Biennale de Arte. Fontana Arte designers are well represented on the 10th floor, with a wonderful selection of pieces by designers Max Ingrand and Pietro Chiesa — perhaps the two most important designers in the history of the company. One of the most interesting, unusual and fun Fontana Arte items on the floor is a 1935 bar in the form of a realistic fireplace by Pietro Chiesa at Portuondo. It was custom commissioned for a private residence in Italy. Made of lacquered wood, etched glass, black opaline glass and brass with green interiors, it is a finely detailed piece of craftsmanship, with revolving doors and a drop down front which opens to reveal an illuminated interior. Elle W. Collection has a pair of Fontana Arte torchieres by Pietro Chiesa, and soyun k. and Lost City Arts both have pieces by Max Ingrand. Perhaps most striking of them is a tall hourglass Elegant Paolo Buffa center or game table in walnut with scalloped apron, églomise top in rich cinnamon brown and four pivoting drawers, each with a copper ashtray. From soyun k. One-of-a-kind custom commission trompe l’oeil “fireplace” bar by Pietro Chiesa, circa 1935 at Portuondo. At right a detail of the interior.