PROPERTY FROM A FLORIDA COLLECTION
328
Ettore Sottsass, Jr.
“Menta” totem
circa 1985
Glazed earthenware.
67 1/2 in. (171.5 cm) high (ceramic only)
14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm) diameter
14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm) diameter
Produced by Bitossi, Italy. First artist's proof from the edition of 20. Interior of one component inscribed in black marker SOTTSASS/FLAVIA Montelupo, a second component inscribed in pen and pencil with PRIMO/PA/ES/Ettore Sottsass and with sticker printed le ceramiche di/BITOSSI. Together with later painted wood plinth.
Full-Cataloguing
Sottsass conceived the design for the “Menta” totem in 1967 but did
not produce it until the mid-1980s, when Sergio Cammilli included it in
the “Mirabili” collection. The collection was produced by Bitossi, a frm
Sottsass had worked with since the early 1960s. The design for “Menta”
is contemporary to totems he showed at Sperone Gallery, Milan in 1967
at an exhibition titled “Menhir, Ziggurat, Stupas, Hydrants and Gas
Pumps.” The present lot is the frst artist’s proof for the edition of 20
produced by Bitossi and distributed by Mirabili. Unlike later examples
in the edition it was signed by Sottsass and does not include a Bitossiproduced
laminated plinth.
not produce it until the mid-1980s, when Sergio Cammilli included it in
the “Mirabili” collection. The collection was produced by Bitossi, a frm
Sottsass had worked with since the early 1960s. The design for “Menta”
is contemporary to totems he showed at Sperone Gallery, Milan in 1967
at an exhibition titled “Menhir, Ziggurat, Stupas, Hydrants and Gas
Pumps.” The present lot is the frst artist’s proof for the edition of 20
produced by Bitossi and distributed by Mirabili. Unlike later examples
in the edition it was signed by Sottsass and does not include a Bitossiproduced
laminated plinth.