A 1970s Iconic Gabriella Crespi Modernist Metal and Glass Square Ashtray
About the Item
- Creator:Gabriella Crespi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 1.58 in (4 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Aci Castello, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2394317573251
Gabriella Crespi
Bronze discs that open up like clamshells for storage and fold back in to become side tables. Sleek cubes barely suspended off the ground that transform into full-size dining tables. Clean-lined boxes that contain multilevel shelving. Looking at the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, born in 1922 and who still produced furniture in her Milan studio until her death in 2017, it’s hard to believe that many of these highly functional pieces — modernist Rubik’s Cubes of materials, colors and ergonomics — were created decades ago.
Among her best-known creations, the bronze Ellisse table, 1976, and her bronze-and-lacquer Yang-Yin bar, 1979, encapsulate a designer who had a strong dualism in her vision, mixing humble and precious materials, for instance, or creating geometric shapes that were softened by sensual surfaces. Crespi began studying architecture in 1944 at the Politecnico, in Milan, where she was among just a handful of women, and became profoundly influenced by the work of Charles-Édouard "Le Corbusier" Jeanneret and Frank Lloyd Wright. After getting married and having children, she launched her own collections, from jewelry to furniture, and soon gained a loyal following, with design houses such as Maison Dior snapping pieces up for their own lines.
She began work on her most iconic collection, Plurimi, in the late 1960s, and the series — including her Dama table, which plays on the themes of volume, light and adaptability that Crespi has explored throughout her career — flourished through the 1970s and early ’80s. Then there is her famed Z desk, from a mid-1970s series, which manages to be both stylish and humorous, looking like it’s ready to leap off the floor at any moment. Well-born and beautiful, Crespi garnered attention among the jet set. She was a muse to Valentino, and her pieces appeared in the homes of Princess Grace of Monaco, the Shah of Iran and Greek shipping magnate George Livanos.
In 1987, with her children now adults, the designer surprised everyone when she moved to the foot of the Indian Himalayas to study with the guru Sri Muniraj. This turned into a 20-year self-imposed exile that, if anything, made her pieces even more sought-after by collectors.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Aci Castello, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1970s Modernist Transparent Murano Glass Ashtray by FormiaBy Formia MuranoLocated in Aci Castello, ITAn extremely rare Murano glass ashtray designed and manufactured by Formia, it's a block of transparent and satin glass in lovely conditions. This Ashtray by Formia is a stunning exa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMurano Glass
- 1970s Mandruzzato Modernist Red Sommerso Murano Glass AshtrayBy MandruzzatoLocated in Aci Castello, ITA red sommerso murano glass bowl designed and manufactured in Venice in the Seventies by Mandruzzato. It's in lovely conditions, probably never used as ashtray. Crafted by the skille...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMurano Glass
- 1970s Modernist Yellow and Brown Sommerso Murano Glass Ashtray by MandruzzatoBy MandruzzatoLocated in Aci Castello, ITThis Murano Glass Square Ashtray by Mandruzzato is a stunning example of mid-century modern design, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style. It serves as both a fu...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMurano Glass
- 1970s Iconic Modernist White Ceramic Ashtray by Mangiarotti for F.lli BrambillaBy Fratelli Brambilla, Angelo MangiarottiLocated in Aci Castello, ITThe Ashtray designed by Mangiarotti for F.lli Brambilla is a distinctive and timeless piece that captures the essence of modernist design during that era, with its clean lines, minim...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- 1970s Iconic Modernist White Ceramic Ashtray by Mangiarotti for F.lli BrambillaBy Fratelli Brambilla, Angelo MangiarottiLocated in Aci Castello, ITThe Ashtray designed by Mangiarotti for F.lli Brambilla is a distinctive and timeless piece that captures the essence of modernist design during that era, with its clean lines, minim...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- 1970s Modernist Faceted Sommerso Murano Glass Big Ashtray by SegusoBy SegusoLocated in Aci Castello, ITAn iconic red, blue, and yellow sommerso Murano glass ashtray designed and manufactured in the Seventies by Seguso, it is in perfect condition and probably never used. The ashtray by...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Windproof Ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, 1970sBy Gabriella CrespiLocated in Roma, RMWindproof Ashtray made in nickel-plated brass with signature on the bottom. Design and Production: Gabriella Crespi Date of creation: 1973. Posted i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Ashtrays
MaterialsBrass
- Glass Ashtray, 1970sLocated in PARIS, FRGlass ashtray with bevelled edges. The Thermor inscription is noted on one side. In very good condition, with a patina consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsGlass
- Vintage Glass Ashtray, 1970sLocated in Roma, ITVintage glass ashtray is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. A very beautiful transparent glass with a particular glass proc...Category
Vintage 1970s European Ashtrays
MaterialsGlass
- Glass Ashtray, Italy 1970sLocated in Roma, ITGlass ashtray is an object realized in 1970s. Art glass, D 15 x 4 cm. Very good conditions!Category
Vintage 1970s European Ashtrays
MaterialsArt Glass
- Vintage Glass Ashtray, 1970sLocated in Roma, ITVintage glass ashtray is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. Made in Italy. Dimensions: 3.5 x 10.5 cm. Mint condition...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Ashtrays
MaterialsGlass
- Midcentury Squared Ashtray in Leather and Glass Jacques Adnet Style, Italy 1970sBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Rome, ITMidcentury amazing squared ashtray in brown leather and glass in the style of Jacques Adnet. Made in Italy in the 1960s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsLeather, Glass