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Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier model 2097, Italy, 1950s

Creator: Fontana Arte (FontanaArte) -Max Ingrand
Offered by: Linea Gallery

Description
This refined 2097 chandelier, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the mid-1950s, stands as one of the most significant expressions of the designer’s research into transparency and the purity of form.

The composition is built around a large, slightly concave circular disk in aquamarine glass, the most striking visual element of the piece. Its polished, perfectly smooth surface reflects the light with a soft chromatic depth, enhancing the chandelier’s visual lightness. At the center, a satin-frosted blown glass diffuser provides a material contrast: the transparency of the outer disk interacts with the velvety opacity of the inner element, producing a diffused, enveloping light that radiates evenly into the surrounding space.

The structure is supported by three slender cylindrical brass rods, descending from the ceiling canopy and holding the glass elements with architectural rigor. The brass, preserved in its natural patina, introduces a warm note that counterbalances the cool tonality of the glass, emphasizing the timeless elegance of the whole. The carefully detailed fittings, such as the small metal mounts securing the glass, reveal the artisanal precision and technical mastery characteristic of Fontana Arte’s production during this period.

Well-balanced proportions lend the chandelier both sculptural presence and harmonious refinement: with a height of 69 cm (27.2 in) and a diameter of 80 cm (31.5 in), the 2097 asserts itself as a visual focal point while maintaining a sense of graceful lightness.

A perfect synthesis of technical innovation and the poetics of glass, this chandelier epitomizes Max Ingrand’s ability to merge the legacy of Italy’s glassmaking tradition with an international modernist vision.

Literature:
'Fontana Arte: Illuminazione', Fontana Arte, sales catalogue, Milan, p. 10
Laura Falconi, Fontana Arte: Una Storia Trasparente, Milan, 1998, p. 216, fig. 125
Franco Deboni, Fontana Arte: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand, Turin, 2012

More Information

Documentation:	Documented elsewhere (similar item)
Origin:	Italy
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	Brass, Glass.
Condition:	Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Creation Date:	1950's
Styles / Movements:	Modern, Mid Century
Incollect Reference #:	827966