Lina Bo Bardi Writing Desk
Price on request
Historical Design
1949
Caviuna Wood
170 x 78 x 80 cm
66.9 x 30.7 x 31.5 in
This rare writing desk is an exceptional work by the designer and architect Lina Bo Bardi. Made of caviuna wood, the piece is a classic of modernist mid-century style, seen in the simplicity of the design. This desk is one of a very limited edition, produced by Moveis Artesanal, Carlo and Ernesto Hauner’s company that would later become Forma Moveis. The piece therefore represents a short period of Bo Bardi’s career of which examples are quite rare. While the materials show a South American influence, the playful lines are reminiscent of Italian modernism, especially the “Z” shaped legs, which are simultaneously delicate and dynamic. The piece was acquired from the offices of Indústrias Reunidas Fábricas Matarazzo, a major Brazilian business group. A perfect encapsulation of Lina Bo Bardi’s unique artistic approach, this writing desk is a beautiful blend of Italian and Brazilian modes.
Artist
Lina Bo Bardi
Lina Bo Bardi (1914 – 1982) was born and raised in Italy, where she studied architecture and began her career collaborating with the architect Carlo Pagani and the designer Gio Ponti. After the Second World War she left Rome for Brazil. She settled in São Paulo where she became one of the leading architectural voices. She was deeply involved in the development of Brazilian museums and received prestigious commissions, including the São Paulo Museum of Art. The Cultural Center of Pompeia, an abandoned factory transformed into a multi-use recreation center, is another one of her enduring achievements. Her home, Casa de Vidro (The Glass House) has become an icon of Brazilian mid-century design. Bo Bardi’s furniture encapsulates the hallmarks of the architect’s style, her interest in vernacular design, and her commitment to local materials.
Exhibitions
Turning Tides: Designing a Modern Brazil Joaquim Tenreiro | José Zanine Caldas
New York
|7 Mar – 26 Jun 2024