Carlo Mollino 1905–1973
As a child, Carlo Mollino was smitten by the engineering work of his father and his infatuation led him to the study of constructional engineering and architecture at the University of Turin. After graduating, Mollino worked at his father’s studio before founding his own architectural and interior design practice run out of the same space. He built several famed structures including the Società Ippica Torinese (1937-40, now destroyed), Casa del Sole, Cervinia (1947-54) and the Teatro Regio Torino (1965-73) as well as several private homes and apartments.
Aside from architecture and interior design, Mollino possessed a love of race cars; he created sweptback cars for himself to race and even set a record at Le Mans that remained unbroken for two years. An expert skier obsessed with aerodynamics and clean lines, Mollino wrote a book on the subject. Not only did he love speed and the sleek bodies of automobiles but the voluptuous curves of the female form inspired a series of erotic photographs featuring nude models on and around his own furniture designs. The idealized female form and aerodynamics motivated his design aesthetic, curved backs, slim ankles, and hourglass shapes abound in his furniture designs. Moving away from the austerity of the Modernist movement, Mollino imbued his furniture with a sense of the feminine and the surreal.
Auction Results Carlo Mollino
Carlo Mollino
set of six dining chairs from the Casa del Sole, Ristorante Pavia, Cervinia
estimate: $100,000–150,000
result: $216,000
Carlo Mollino
Important coffee table, model 1114
estimate: $150,000–200,000
result: $215,000
Carlo Mollino
coffee table, model 1114
estimate: $80,000–120,000
result: $206,500
Carlo Mollino
coffee table, model #1114
estimate: $40,000–50,000
result: $180,000
Carlo Mollino
Important coffee table, model 1114
estimate: $70,000–90,000
result: $161,000
Carlo Mollino
desk from Reale Mutua Assicurazioni
estimate: $70,000–90,000
result: $156,000
Carlo Mollino
coffee table, model #1114
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $156,000
Carlo Mollino
coffee table, model #1114
estimate: $40,000–50,000
result: $132,000
Carlo Mollino
bed from the Casa Minola
estimate: $100,000–150,000
result: $120,000
Carlo Mollino
Important coffee table, model 1114
estimate: $70,000–90,000
result: $80,500
Carlo Mollino
Talucci side chair
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $57,600
Carlo Mollino
dining table from the Casa del Sole, Ristorante Pavia, Cervinia
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $54,000
Carlo Mollino
chair from the Casa del Sole, Cervinia
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $54,000
Carlo Mollino
chair from the Casa del Sole, Cervinia
estimate: $40,000–50,000
result: $45,600
Carlo Mollino
cabinet from the Ferro residence, Torino
estimate: $35,000–40,000
result: $42,000
Carlo Mollino
chair from the Casa del Sole, Cervinia
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $42,000
Carlo Mollino
Chair from Casa del Sole
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $38,750
Carlo Mollino
Casa del Sole chair
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $37,500
Carlo Mollino
Suora floor lamp
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $35,000
Carlo Mollino
chair from the Casa del Sole, Cervinia
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $35,000
Carlo Mollino
set of eight chairs from Lutrario Hall, Turin
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $35,000
Carlo Mollino
dining chairs from Lutrario Hall, set of eight
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $30,000
Carlo Mollino
Suora floor lamp
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $26,250
Carlo Mollino
bed from the Casa Minola
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $26,000