Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo

Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo
Vase "La Casa degli Efebi"Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo Milan, 1931, h. cm. 45 (restorations; gilding partly worn)in majolica with a burgundy red background, white and gold decoration depicting figurines leaning on architectural elements between hanging drapes; bell-shaped body crossed by ribs; lid characterized by a stylized corolla socket from which four leaves arise; circular footMark: brown effigy of Saint Christopher on three undines Richard Ginori S.Cristoforo Milano Made in ItalyYear: in gold Anni 1931Provenance: Pandolfini, 17 March 2003, n. 105Bibl.: for the shape see AA.VV., Ceramiche Moderne d'Arte Richard Ginori. Doccia Manufactory, San Cristoforo Manufactory, Mondovì Manufactory, Milan, 1946Born as Ponti's homage to the myth of architecture that has its roots in history, this decoration was presented by Richard Ginori at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs etindustrials modernis in Paris and symbolized the new Italy that was being born in those years, a modern state that arose on the basis of tradition. The builders are young ephebes, that is, children in whom the male and female elements converge, a theme dear to Déco, therefore a humanity that has an underlying ambiguity that disturbs but at the same time seduces: an all-Italian elegance capable to bring together classicism, history and modernity under the aegis of a taste, a way of feeling that will explode in an overwhelming way in recent years.