Sculptural Table by Luigi Ontani

This "Sculpture Table" is an original design artwork realized in the 1980s by a group of murano glass masters led by the Italian artist Luigi Ontani (Vergato, Italy 1943). This work, a true masterpiece of murano glass art, is a sculptural table that includes several objects: a set of six glasses and a huge giraffe - Two glasses of the original project are missing. The piece was signed with acid under the table and is still in mint condition. The table itself includes eight elements: four large leaves on the top and four legs embellished by the presence of gold and silver leaf. The techniques used for the realization of this important artwork are many; among the others, the sommerso bars which are realized with different glass layers. Among the glasses present, we can recognize: Aventurine - a translucent glass sprayed with copper particles with bright metal oxides, Lattimo - a white glass similar to porcelain, And, Corinthian Glass - mottled on a dark and silver background, opalescent and iridescent glass with arsenate crystals of lead which gives the glass a blue color. There are also reticulated and iridescent glasses that imitate precious marbles, imprisoned in a very thin mesh of white enamel. At the top of the work there is a giraffe in expertly modeled glass onto which a small mask with gold inclusion is welded with the "incalmo" technique. There are also six colored glasses made in different colors and with many types of glass. This work is one of the typical works created by the Ontani - He is a multifaceted artist who expresses himself through various artistic forms. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, Ontani began his artistic career in the 1970s when he became known for his tableau vivants: photographed and videotaped performances in which he presented himself in different ways: from Pinocchio to Dante, Saint Sebastian to Baccus. These displays of "actionism" (different from Viennese Actionism, to which Hermann Nitsch is associated) verge on kitsch and raise personal narcissism to a higher level. Throughout his long career Ontani has expressed his creativity and poetics through the use of many different techniques. He has exhibited works of his in some of the most important museums and galleries of the world. He has participated in the following international group exhibitions:

Venice Biennale 1972, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995, 2003

VI Sidney Biennial 1986

VII new Delhi Triennial 1991

Manifesta 2008

Il Gallery of Modern Art, Verona 2017

Among the others, he obtained the following prizes:

Francesca Alinovi Prize (now Alinovi Daolio Prize), 1986

McKim Prize of the American Academy in Rome, 2011

"Presidente della Repubblica" dell’Accademia Nazionale di San Luca Prize, 2015.

Design Period - 1980 to 1989

Production Period - 1980 to 1989

Country of Manufacture -Italy

Style - Vintage

Detailed Condition - Very Good (This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use). 

*Please note that an additional handling period of up to 4 weeks may apply to this item

Materials - Glass, Murano Glass

Width - 43.3 inch

Depth - 31.5 inch

Height - 55.1 inch

Weight Range - Standard (Between 40kg and 80kg)