Item Description
An exceptional example of Ettore Sottsass’ early ceramic production, this striking vase—model 585—was designed in 1960 and realized circa 1961 by the Società Ceramica Toscana di Figline for the Milanese gallery Il Sestante. Executed in a deep oxblood red glaze, the piece embodies the architect-designer’s radical rethinking of form and surface during a pivotal moment in his career. The form is rigorously geometric: a compact square body surmounted by a circular opening. This deliberate juxtaposition of orthogonal mass and pure round aperture reflects Sottsass’ architectural sensibility, transforming the vessel into a sculptural object defined by elemental geometry. The strict cubic volume conveys stability and presence, while the circular mouth introduces a measured counterpoint, softening the composition and emphasizing its spatial clarity. Executed in a rich oxblood red glaze, the surface possesses remarkable depth and saturation. The glaze subtly articulates the edges and planes of the square body, enhancing the interplay between light and form. The chromatic intensity heightens the object’s sculptural autonomy, reinforcing its status as an art object rather than a purely functional vessel. Model 585 was produced in various colorways for Il Sestante, the progressive Milanese gallery that championed avant-garde Italian design in the early 1960s. This example is signed on the underside, confirming its authenticity and workshop origin. Sottsass’ ceramics from this period are widely regarded as foundational to his later explorations in postmodern design, anticipating the symbolic and chromatic boldness that would define his work in subsequent decades. Pieces from the Il Sestante production are increasingly sought after for their historical significance and sculptural autonomy. Documented in: Fulvio Ferrari, Sottsass: Tutta la Ceramica, p. 100. A rare and important work from Sottsass’ seminal ceramic oeuvre, uniting architectural rigor, expressive color, and artisanal mastery.
