Illustrated: Domestic Animals: The Neoprimative Style Andrea and Nicoletta Branzi, (London, 1987) n.p.; Designed by Architects in the 1980s, Julie Capella and Quim Larrea, Barcelona, 1987, p. 37; Anne Bony, Paris Les années 80, 1995, p. 520; Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 1000 Chairs, Cologne, 2000, p. 588
H: 42 3/4″ x W: 19 3/4″ x D: 24″
Price: $19,000
The “Cucus” chair was part of the “Domestic Animals” series
designed in 1985/86 by Andrea Branzi for Zabro.
Andrea Branzi's “Domestic Animals” series was designed in 1985 and 1986 for the Italian firm Zabro. Designs were later also manufactured by Zanotta. Andrea Branzi created “Domestic Animals” in collaboration with Nicoletta Branzi, who produced limited edition art clothing for this series. The “Neoprimitive” style in which this collection has been rendered utilizes natural materials such as sticks to create an object that brings archetypal symbols into the home to produce emotional effects. These objects combine technology and nature and the symbols and codes that these entail demonstrating that “a hybrid love between different creatures is possible.” (Branzi, Domestic Animals, 1987, n.p.) With these objects Branzi aims to “domesticate” technological inventions so as to make them a positive presence in man's life.
“The difference between a domestic animal and a trained (or tamed) one lies in the fact that the latter is the outcome of an unnatural and violent attitude, while the domestic animal establishes the dream of a loving relationship with man.” (Branzi, Domestic Animals, 1987, n.p.)
Andrea Branzi, architect and designer, born in Florence in 1938, where he graduated in 1967, lives and works in Milano. From 1964 to 1974 he was a partner of Archizoom Associati, first vanguard group internationally known, whose projects are preserved at Centro Studi e Archivio della Comunicazione in Parma and at Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.
Since 1967 he works in the fields of industrial and research design, architecture, urban planning, education and cultural promotion.He is Professor at the Third Faculty of Architecture and Industrial Design of Politecnico di Milano.
Raymond Subes / French Art Deco Wrought Iron Coffee Table c. 1935
Raymond Subes (1893-1970), France.
Coffee table, circa 1935.
Wrought iron, beige, ecru, and dark brown Afghanistan jasper top.
Related work illustrated: R. Subes, Ferronnerie Moderne (Paris: Editions Vincent, Fréal et Cie., n.d. [c. 1937]).
For more information see: Art Deco, Victor Arwas, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1980) p. 305; Encyclopedia of Art Deco, ed. Alastair Duncan, (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1988.) p. 152, 167.
H: 19 1/3” x D: 35 1/2”
Price: $38,000
During the 1930s, Raymond Subes became one of the foremost designers of wrought iron in his native Paris. Subes studied at the Ecole Boulle and the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs before going to work for Emile Robert, a leading ironwork designer. He later became the artistic director of Borderel et Robert. At this venerable firm he created iron grills and doors for architectural commissions, many of which may still be seen all over Paris. His work was exhibited at the Paris 1925 Exhibition of Decorative Arts and he designed the wrought ironwork for the ill-fated ocean liner the Normandie. Subes’ early work was ornate and naturalistic, but gradually became more geometric and linear. This Art Deco table is a particularly lyrical example of his mature style, with its gracefully scrolling iron legs.
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