MID-CENTURY FABULOUS
by Anita Sarko
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| ARREDOLUCE Hanging Fixture Rare. Opposing white glass bowls with applied colored sections in irregular shapes. Brass fittings, stem and canopy. Very good original condition with new wiring. (c. 1955. Italy. $11,500.) |
| There are furniture stores and there are furniture stores… and then there is DONZELLA 20th CENTURY GALLERY (17 White St., 212. 965.8919). Helmed by the adorable Paul Donzella, this mid-century dreamscape will make your jaw drop. It’s the type of establishment that, no matter how many pieces are on display, I know I could just shut my eyes, have someone spin me around and, whatever I pointed at, I would want. Of course, I would also love it if someone else footed the bill: Such taste does not come cheap. “I was always a collector growing up, so I always had that collector energy.” Explains Donzella of his beginnings. “I was always a hunter.” Eventually, he would also become a gatherer, as well.
Even the owner of El Teddy’s was a collector and had a shop. His interest piqued, Paul and the restaurant’s manager took off for Michigan in a van, began buying and obtained a storage room. “I could feel something happening in myself that was taking me somewhere, so I just went with it. I just knew I would someday do something with it.” What Donzella loved were the forms and designs. Having no knowledge of this new obsession, he bought books and old magazines. “It’s the first time in my life I ever felt academic about something.” He laughs. The reason they focused on Michigan, particularly Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit, was because so many furniture industries are located there. In addition, his cohort, Adam, had attended school there and had friends with connections. “As long as you don’t get there after a big dealer, there’s plenty to buy.” They set up at the 26th Street Flea Market a couple of times, then did the Triple Pier Antique Show. “I saw that people responded positively to what I was doing, so it gave me the confidence to open a store.” Paul’s first store was on 10th St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, over a restaurant. It opened in 1994 on the day that Jackie O. died. “The rent was $1,300 a month. That was scary. ‘How was I going to come up with the money?’ But, you could in those days.” After three years, the building sold and the rent increased. By then, he had created enough of a buzz (“I was extremely lucky with press. Even Tom Ford came in!”) that he was able to purchase his current, much larger space. It had previously been a storage facility for the famed artist Jim Dine. |
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| PHILIP and KELVIN LAVERNE "Turtle," Cocktail Table Rare abstract, petite table with free-form torched patina bronze top and elegant, architectural style asymmetrical bronze base. Height: 17", width/length: 29", depth: 23” (c. 1965. USA. $13,500). |
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ROBERTO GIULIO RIDA "Giroscopio" Table Lamps Fabric shades top polished brass frames with pivoting elements, reminiscent of a gyroscope. Molten Murano glass central jewel form. Each pair is unique, varying in size, shape and central elements. Each pair is part of a small, unnumbered edition. (c. 2009. Italy. $18,500 for pair.) |
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BAROVIER Sculptural Sconces Opaque black glass twisted bases. Cordonato d'oro blown glass shades with gold flecks and controlled bubbles. (c. 1959. Italy. $7,500 for pair.) |
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| ROBERTO GIULIO RIDA Table Lamps Contemporary sculptural brass structure with silk shades and faceted crystal element that spins. (Italy. $18,500.) |
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ANGELO BROTTO for ESPERIA "Barnabia" Lamp Atomic-themed sculptural TABLE LAMP. Chromed metal with interlocking rods of various heights meeting at base with irregularly cut rock crystal element. (c. 1970. Italy. $7,500.) |
| Donzella emphasizes that, of all the mid-century dealers in NYC, only a handful are doing something similar to what he’s doing. He had no interest in focusing on Eames, George Nelson, Herman Miller or Knoll. “I was drawn to those who studied classical design and did interpretations in the mid-century. Eames was trying to reinvent the wheel and sell it to the masses at low cost. I discovered interior designers who were doing contemporary designs in a very luxurious way for homes for the very wealthy.” The difference was in the details. Many of these designers had emigrated from Europe, where they had been trained in cabinet making or were from a long tradition of high quality furniture making or antiques. “They were given the opportunity to reinterpret these traditions into contemporary designs for their American clients.” |
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| PAUL LASZIO Custom Plank-Arm Custom Sofa Extremely rare SOFA version of one of László's signature chair designs. Ebonized wood frame, wide plank arms with shaped cutouts, curved back with spindle fretwork and tapered legs. Newly upholstered in teal blue bouclé. Height: 28", width/length: 63", depth: 32" (c. 1950. USA. $55,000). |
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| VITTORIO GREGOTTI Custom Sculptural Cabinet A very architectural form which utilizes one of Gregotti’s signature design elements. Rectangular top and drawers suspended from a frame of staggered walnut slats that step at the base and splay out at the top. Accompanied by an email correspondence with the director of the archives at the Gregotti offices authenticates that this cabinet was designed by Gregotti and suggests that it is a unique piece. Height: 34”, width/length: 81", depth: 30 1/2" (c. 1958. Italy. $65,000). “One of my 3 or 4 favorite pieces in my entire inventory.” |
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| DASSI Sculptural Rosewood Desk Fully restored large-scale curved DESK of rosewood with sculptural legs, stylized "H" stretcher and brass details throughout. Pillowed relief sides, brass and glass drawer pulls. A very unusual design combining classical and modernist forms. Height: 32", width/length: 75 1/2", depth: 36” (c. 1952. Italy. $18,500). |
| Donzella’s passion for research led to discovering people who he had never heard of, who were designing contemporary pieces in the '50s. These are now a secondary market and are considered antiques. “I would travel to the Midwest and find these pieces that dealers were happy to sell to me at any price. Two or three others and myself were creating a market that was never there before.” He continues to do research to find other under-the-radar gems. Some names that he rattles off are T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Paul László, Giovanni Michelucci, James Mont and Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. He also likes Roberto Rida and Alexandre Logé because they are contemporary designers, carried by few others, who can do custom work. |
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| PHILIP and KELVIN LAVERNE Low Square Cocktail Table Very with weathered and knicked bronze bullnose frame. Bronze and pewter top comprised of alternating sections of patterns and torched areas. Height: 17 ", width/length, 34": depth: 34" (c. 1968. USA. $18,500). “These experimental abstract pieces were usually done as one-off custom commissions or in very small editions, and very few ever make it to the marketplace.” |
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| ALEXANDRE LOGE Sculpted Bronze Bench Custom-made contemporary irregular-shaped bronze legs and supports. Ribbed white velvet upholstery. Height: 17", width/length: 35", depth: 14 1/2" (France. $12,500). Lead time: 12 to 15 weeks. |
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| PHILIP and KELVIN LAVERNE "Striated Lines" Console Table Massive, abstract bronze base with torched surface. Incised lines and beautiful patina. "This was a single commission. Signed by artist. Height: 28", width/length 53", depth: 24” (c. 1965. USA. $68,000). |
| Another way he’s grown his inventory and taste is that, for the first ten or twelve years, he focused primarily on Americans, whereas now,” I’ve been traveling to Italy over the last four years.” “Part of what’s so interesting about this business is the opportunity to constantly evolve.” Donzella states enthusiastically. Therefore, if you stop by and don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, just come back a month or so later. What you see may not be what you’ll get on a future trip. Whatever you do see at Donzella, you can count on it being amazing and unique ... and VERY well researched. |
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| PHILIP and KELVIN LAVERNE "Turtle," Cocktail Table Rare abstract, petite table with free-form torched patina bronze top and elegant, architectural style asymmetrical bronze base. Height: 17", width/length: 29", depth: 23” (c. 1965. USA. $13,500). |
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| Made-To-Order Curved SOFA Contemporary extra Long, extra low, extra deep. Great Detailing. Height: 28", width/length: 104", depth: 36" outside arm. Overall footprint depth: 42" (USA. $8,500). “Some dimensions may change to accommodate custom size modifications." |
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| Made-to-Order DAYBED Contemporary French 30's inspired. Cerused Oak. C.O.M. 15 yds. 8-10 weeks lead-time. Height: 24', width/length: 90", depth: 32" (USA. $10,500). C.O.M. (Customer’s Own Material):15 yds. 8-10 weeks lead-time. |
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| SILVIO COPPOLA for BERNINI Cabinet Rare large-scale Arts and Crafts style with slat construction, overhanging top and reversed arch feet. Silver and linens compartments Include 4 original ceramic inserts. Excellent fully restored condition. Height: 48”, width/ length: 96", depth: 20 1/2" (c. 1964. Italy. $18,500). |
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| ALEXANDRE LOGE Pair Sculptural Benches (only one shown) Contemporary w/ Organically Sculpted Solid Bronze Bases. Height: 17", width/length: 21 1/2", depth: 16 1/2" (France. $12,500 for pair.) C.O.M. (Customer’s Own Material): 2 yds. total. 12 -15 weeks weeks lead-time. |
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ALEXANDRE LOGE "Atlante" Side/ Drinks Table Abstract bronze base with three tapering legs and sculpted supports. Circular top of polished, highly-figured marble. Height: 23 1/2", diameter: 17”. (C. 2010. France, $7,500) Lead time: 12 to 15 weeks. “This petite version of the "Atlante" table was created exclusively for Donzella, and is available only through our gallery.” |
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| GIOVANNI MICHELUCCI "Il Tavolo" DINING/WRITING TABLE Rare excellent original-condition asymmetrical design base with "Y"-form trestle and unusual joints. Floor-board-style top with exposed joinery at side edges. Height: 30", width/length: 98", depth: 34"( c. 1981. Italy. $35,000.) “This table was part of a line of furniture Michelucci designed for a small company called Delecta, that is no longer in existence. Everything was skillfully made by hand and not more then a few examples per year were produced of any of the pieces. This piece is one of my 3 or 4 favorite pieces in my entire inventory.” |
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