Ico Parisi - Design London Thursday, May 12, 2022 | Phillips

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  • In 1952, Ico Parisi designed a carefully thought-out bespoke study room for two ten-year-old twin sisters. The whole space was crafted with great attention to every detail and comprised this extraordinarily shaped asymmetrical sofa, a pair of corner desks that could be used simultaneously (Lots 37 & 38) as well as capacious bookshelf with cabinets and a magazine rack (Lot 40). The sofa’s ergonomic design displays two partially visible metal supports that connect a trapezoidal seat pad to an atypical backrest featuring a horizontal crevice. The unusual form of the sofa is further underlined by the only armrest which flares outwards. The archival photograph of the room reveals its elegance and harmony also complemented by the lighting (note the lamp designed by Parisi on the table in the corner) and by the ‘Battaglia sul mare’ painting by the important Italian abstract artist Mario Radice.

     

    In addition to the furnishing for the twins’ study room, Parisi also designed a unique leather stool for the same family (Lot 39). This graceful piece presents with wooden diagonal legs linked by a painted steel support and is reminiscent of a model that Parisi designed for a kitchen in 1950, produced by Fratelli Rizzi, Itimiano.

     

    By Roberta Lietti, Curator at the Archivio Design Ico Parisi
     

    The two unique desks, asymetrical sofa and bookshelf in the original home they were commissioned for in Cernobbio, Italy, 1952 Photo: Courtesy Archivio Design Ico Parisi
    The two unique desks, asymetrical sofa and bookshelf in the original home they were commissioned for in Cernobbio, Italy, 1952
    © Courtesy Archivio Design Ico Parisi
    • Provenance

      Carcano family, Cernobbio, commissioned directly from the designer, 1952

    • Literature

      Roberta Lietti, Ico Parisi Design: Catalogo Ragionato 1936-1960, Milan, 2017, p. 261

    • Catalogue Essay

      Phillips wishes to thank Roberta Lietti of the Archivio del Design di Ico Parisi for her assistance in cataloguing the present lot.

36

Unique two-seater sofa

1952
Fabric, walnut, painted steel.
87.4 x 132 x 72.3 cm (34 3/8 x 51 7/8 x 28 1/2 in.)
Produced by Ariberto Colombo, Cantù, Italy.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
£20,000 - 30,000 Ω

Sold for £69,300

Contact Specialist

Antonia King

Head of Sale, Design
+44 20 7901 7944

Antonia.King@phillips.com

Design

London Auction 12 May 2022