One of the most historic collaborations of the 20th century was that between Italian designers Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti. Though their styles differ, their creative genius is evident in all of their projects and each designer made vital contributions to the history of art and architecture.

Ponti and Fornasetti first worked together in the 1933 forming an important relationship that would last for decades and over the years they completed many prestigious projects according to an established and well-tested pattern: Ponti designed and Fornasetti decorated. Together the duo completed many notable interiors including those for ships, villas and hotels as well as private commissions for the Italian bourgeoisie. While their collaborative designs were included in the 1951 Triennale they were never mass produced.

The present lot features Fornasetti’s Chiavi e Pistole decoration on a sleek armchair designed by Gio Ponti.

Piero Fornasetti (center left) and Gio Ponti (center right) among friends and colleagues. (Photograph courtesy of Fornasetti)