Description

In 1960s Italy, Fontana Arte explored a highly rigorous, functional design, where glass interacted with more unexpected materials. This ashtray perfectly embodies this quest for balance and modernity. Produced in the 1960s, it combines thick glass with sharp edges and precise cutouts with a dark green leather-covered base. The overall effect is understated, graphic, and perfectly representative of post-war Italian design, conceived for elegant and sophisticated interiors. The craftsmanship is meticulous, with glass cutting techniques characteristic of Fontana Arte.

The condition is very good. The glass is well preserved, without any chips or cracks. The leather has a uniform patina, consistent with its age, without any noticeable deterioration. The piece comes from Milan, Italy. A discreet and sophisticated object, ideal on a desk, a bookcase or a coffee table, and just as relevant repurposed as a catchall or decorative piece.

Description

In 1960s Italy, Fontana Arte established a design language where glass became structure, volume, and light. This square ashtray is a particularly refined interpretation: an object straddling the line between functional design and collector’s item. The dark cognac leather tabletop, subtly sheathed and stitched, provides a warm base whose deep patina elegantly speaks of time.

At its center, a thick, perfectly cut block of glass captures and diffracts the light with almost architectural precision. The interplay between the suppleness of the leather and the rigor of the glass is typical of Fontana Arte creations from this period.

 An authentic piece from the 1960s, signed by a major Italian design publisher, rare in this condition, intended for discerning collectors and lovers of high-end modernist design.