Modernist Shaped Brass and Floating Glass Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte

Fontana Arte modernist shaped brass and floating glass wall mirror, Italy, 1950s.

This elegant Italian modernist mirror features a gracefully shaped open brass frame with gently tapering sides and a distinctive double-curved upper profile. Suspended within the frame is the original shaped mirror plate, secured by a series of small brass clips that leave a narrow open space between the glass and surrounding frame, creating the refined floating effect characteristic of this distinctive Fontana Arte design.

The contours of the mirror plate closely follow the sinuous silhouette of the brass frame, while the central brass hanging fitting forms an integral and visible part of the composition. This sophisticated interplay of shaped glass, finely formed brass and exposed mounting hardware exemplifies Fontana Arte’s innovative approach to combining glass and metal, transforming functional construction into an important decorative element of the design.

This striking mirror is an unusually large and rare example of the model, and the largest we have encountered to date. Comparable examples documented on the market and at auction are generally considerably smaller, giving this example a particularly impressive and architectural presence while retaining the visual lightness of the floating construction. The generous scale, sculptural silhouette and beautifully articulated floating construction make this an especially striking example of Fontana Arte’s refined Italian modernist aesthetic of the period.

A sophisticated and highly decorative Fontana Arte mirror suitable for an entryway, powder room, bedroom, dressing area or above a console or chest.