Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Pair of Glass and Brass Lamps, Italy, 1930's

Pair of Fontana Arte table lamps designed by Pietro Chiesa, (1892-1948). The beveled glass column is supported by a brass plinth base, with brass banding on the sides. The glass is finely cut, the whole with wonderful proportions at every viewing angle. The lamps are extremely refined, streamlined and stylized; so highly indicative of the Art Deco period. The natural woven custom shade contrasts beautifully with the sleek glass and brass elements.

Designed by Pietro Chiesa (1892 - 1948) for Fontana Arte, circa 1930's

Size: 33 1/4" height with shade x 23" high to top of the brass
Base: 7" wide x 4 3/4" deep
Column: 2 3/4" wide x 1 3/4" deep

A descendant of an eminent Ticino-based family of artists, Pietro Chiesa opened his own glass making shop in 1921 after working as an apprentice at the Giannotti glassworks. In the early 1920's, he took part in the Venice Biennale, the Monza Biennale, the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and exhibitions in Cologne and Barcelona. His work combines extreme modernity with outstanding technical ability. His creations include the glass windows of the Trieste Stock Exchange, the windows of the Motorship Victoria as well as those of the transatlantic liner Conte di Savoia. In 1932, Pietro Chiesa was asked by Gio Ponti to share in the artistic direction of the newborn Fontana Arte, a role that would enable him to give full expression to his creative flair by designing over a thousand different objects (furniture, tables, lamps, glass windows, objets d’art etc).