Item Description
Designed by Max Ingrand in 1961 for Fontana Arte, the Model 2020 is a quiet masterpiece of Italian lighting. A slender black stem rises from a round, dished base, and at the top a patinated brass ring frames two curved glass panels. The panels are bevelled and tinted a luminous sea green. Each has a frosted oval at its centre, which diffuses the bulb into a soft, glowing light. The two panels are staggered at an angle inside the ring, so the lamp looks different from every side. Switched on, the ring glows warm gold on the inside and the green glass picks up the light along its thick, polished edges. Switched off, the lamp is a sculptural object in its own right. Ingrand was artistic director of Fontana Arte from 1954 to 1975. He worked with thick, hand-finished glass and brass throughout his career, and this lamp shows his approach well: simple geometry, with the glass doing the expressive work. The details are refined too, with small brass fixings holding the glass in place and a brass collar at the foot of the stem. The Model 2020 belongs to the “Micro series”, and we also have a matching pair of Model 2240 sconces by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte from the same series, listed separately. The brass has developed a warm, natural patina over the years, which suits the green glass well. The wiring has been checked by our expert and is suitable for use in the US. An adapter plug is included, which keeps the piece fully original. A foot switch is fitted on the cable. It works well as a standalone piece in a hallway, next to a sofa or armchair, or in a bedroom, and it sits comfortably in both classic and contemporary interiors. Condition: Good vintage condition, with a natural patina on the brass and minor wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions: Width: 28 cm (11.02 in) Depth: 28 cm (11.02 in) Height: 170 cm (66.93 in) Provenance: Private Collection, Parma Literature: Fontana Arte 6, manufacturer’s catalog. Quaderni Fontana Arte 1, sales catalogue, 1960s, p. 74. F. Deboni, Fontana Arte. Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand, Turin, Allemandi, 2012, fig. 388. Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier, Max Ingrand, Du verre à la lumière, Paris, 2009, p. 212.
