Design: The Great Masters of the Twentieth Century

We introduce Cambi Casa d'Aste’s new, unmissable auction with a quote by Massimo Vignelli that summarises the concept of design as something that communicates a timeless message. This is best reflected in Design200, Cambi Casa d'Aste’s sale that coincides with the start of spring on 21 March. As nature reawakens from a long winter, design lovers will be able to reawaken their senses with a historical catalogue and a unique collection of furnishings signed by the great masters of the twentieth century.

Piermaria Scagliola, director of the Design department of Cambi Casa d'Aste, comments: "The appointment with 200Design is a moment that we hold dear and to which we pay the utmost care, taking place between spring events in Milan for a glamorous, natural setting. It includes a range of sought-after objects for design lovers who are attentive to original decorative pieces, such as the Six Moons chandelier by Angelo Lelii and the Africa chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The catalogue also includes more eclectic pieces to provide a suitable selection for different interior styles, from rationalism to modernism with both classic and contemporary works. The market is in turmoil and our duty to our customers is to help them understand where the wind is blowing, anticipate trends and provide a suitable selection. Thus, we select historic brands such as Arteluce and Saporiti that are currently being underestimated, and we try to anticipate their return and provide excellent deals to those who choose to follow our proposals.”

Among the key lots, there is a fine selection of tables, such as the sculpture table by Nerone and Patuzzi Gruppo NP2, the geometric coffee table by Massimo and Lella Vignelli and the wonderful lacquered teak and stainless steel table by Anacleto Spazzapan.

In the rich catalogue, we are also struck by the original Sess Longue armchair with its softly curved lines, created by the designer and architect Nani Prina in the late 1960s and made from polyurethane foam and fabric upholstery.

Several colourful light fixtures will enliven the auction, including two wall-mounted brass lamps by Stilnovo, Gio Ponti’s blown Murano glass suspension lamp, produced for Venini in 1950, and the brass Six Moons ceiling lamp with glass-cased diffusers designed by Angelo Lelii.

Alongside the elegant modular bookcase in lacquered metal, wood and cut crystal by the talented Japanese designer Taichiro Nakai, there are also several important chairs featured in the catalogue. One exceptional lot includes the four armchairs in woven leather straps created by Ross Littell, the American designer of fabrics and furniture who is known for his practical, innovative and minimalist style.

The sale would not be complete without Afra and Tobia Scarpa, and the two designers are represented with six Africa chairs from the Artona series. Classic and avant-garde at the same time, these wood and leather seats are the famous couple’s hallmark, with their simple yet sophisticated modernist aesthetic.

Last but not least, we finish with the iconic Camaleonda sofa, a neologism created by Mario Bellini that combines the Italian words for ‘chameleon’ and ‘wave’. The name is well-suited to the design, which is marked by its soft curves but can adapt to any space through its modular construction.

The Design200 auction will take place on 21 March, and the catalogue will be on display at Cambi’s Milan headquarters from 16-20 March.

In the meantime, take a look at Cambi’s entire catalogue on Barnebys