Rare Cut and Torn Glass Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte

Rare Cut and Torn Glass Mirror Model "1657" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte The center mirrored glass surrounded by a freeform  incesed and "torn" thick  glass frame fitted with a retro-lit device. Italy:circa 1958 Bibliography : - Catalogue Fontana Arte n°6, p. 189 - P-E. Martin-Vivier, "Max Ingrand, du verre à la lumière", Ed. Norma, 2009, modèle similar example on cover and p. 217. Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa , Max Ingrand  by Franco Deboni , edit.Umberto Allemandi & Co. page 429. This piece is highly indicative in its quality and design of the craftsmanship and simple elegance for which Ingrand was famous. Bearing original maker’s sticker, which reads: “Fontanit Luigi Fontana Italy Milano.” Fig. 432 of Franco Deboni’s reference book Fontana Arte shows a conceptual drawing for this mirror, and fig 451 shows the mirror on display at the Fontana Arte boutique in Milan, circa 1957. “Light is the manifestation of life, artificial light is the continuity of life, because it maintains contact with the world and glorifies reality and transfigures it.” -Max Ingrand. Max Ingrand was born in France in 1908. He studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratfis in Paris and later apprenticed with the legendary master of Art Nouveau glass Jacques Gruber. Afterwards he began his own art glass studio with his wife Paule, which quickly brought them international renown. He was selected by Gio Ponti to head Fontana Arte in 1954 following the death of Pietro Chiesa, where he presided over a period of growth and innovation, creating many iconic Fontana Arte designs, some of which are still in production today. During this period he also continued to work with his own studio in Paris and was the president of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs. He died suddenly of influenza in 1969, at which point the directorship of Fontana Arte went briefly to Gio Ponti.

width

19.5

height

25

depth

4

condition

Very good overall condition Light lacks of silvering on the mirrored glass Natural patina of the brass Light scratches of use

Circa 1958