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Lot Essay
The present lot comprises two important monumental vases designed by Gio Ponti for Richard-Ginori. The vases are part of Le Mie Donne, a series of objects in majolica decorated with a central figure reclining on clouds combined with other decorations. The series started in 1923 and became progressively more complex to include figures reclining on giant flowers and the addition of imaginary architectural elements to the background, as illustrated in the present examples. The vases and their decoration were illustrated in the 1930 catalogue of Richard- Ginori, without the handles. For pieces of this scale and weight handles were occasionally added, as shown by the period photograph of the vase Le Funi exhibited at the III Monza Biennale in 1927. Similarly, as in this instance, the décor was partially re-designed to accomodate these applications.
The rich vocabulary expressed by Ponti in the decoration of the vases is complemented by the bold choice of colours. As typical of this series, the background is of an intense blue, called Blue Ponti by the architect, whilst for the figures and the decoration Ponti selected light-brown, deep yellow and the light blue of the elegant drapery. Stylistically Ponti embraces the lesson of the French Art Deco expressed particularly in the design of the figures, elongated and stylised. The rigour and subtlety of the composition, however, is testament to his own original approach and his ability to elevate purely decorative objects into magnificent work of art.
Christie’s wishes to thank Oliva Rucellai, former curator of the Museo Richard-Ginori della Manifattura di Doccia and co-author of Gio Ponti, Richard-Ginori Museum Collection, for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.
This lot is sold together with a certificate of expertise from the Gio Ponti Archives.
The rich vocabulary expressed by Ponti in the decoration of the vases is complemented by the bold choice of colours. As typical of this series, the background is of an intense blue, called Blue Ponti by the architect, whilst for the figures and the decoration Ponti selected light-brown, deep yellow and the light blue of the elegant drapery. Stylistically Ponti embraces the lesson of the French Art Deco expressed particularly in the design of the figures, elongated and stylised. The rigour and subtlety of the composition, however, is testament to his own original approach and his ability to elevate purely decorative objects into magnificent work of art.
Christie’s wishes to thank Oliva Rucellai, former curator of the Museo Richard-Ginori della Manifattura di Doccia and co-author of Gio Ponti, Richard-Ginori Museum Collection, for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.
This lot is sold together with a certificate of expertise from the Gio Ponti Archives.