Paolo De Poli Wood and Enamel Box, 1950s

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Paolo De Poli, Italy, crafted this beautiful Mid-Century decorative lidded box in the 1950s. This design is commonly attributed to … Read more Paolo De Poli, Italy, crafted this beautiful Mid-Century decorative lidded box in the 1950s. This design is commonly attributed to Gio Ponti. The flat rectangular shape with a wood base has an enamel-on-copper lid and black wood finial. The stunning apple green marble color is so typical of the Mid-Century style. The piece is signed under the cover with the P de Poli - Italia logo.
Measurements: 8.69 in wide (22 cm) x 3.75 in deep (9.5 cm) x 2 in high (5 cm).

Note: Paolo De Poli (1 August 1905 – 21 September 1996) was an Italian enameller and painter.
"If we can speak of Italian art of enamel, we can thank De Poli for the road he opened and followed faithfully. We should be grateful for the example of his orthodox technique, his sureness of touch, and the esteem and admiration he has won." Gio Ponti.
Born in Padua, and after early training in drawing and embossing on metal at the art school Pietro Selvatico of Padua and in oil painting in the studio of the Trentini painters in Verona, De Poli began a career as a portrait and landscape painter.
In the 1930s, his travels and visits to art museums and archaeological sites exposed him to the traditional and ancient art of vitrified enamel. Fascinated by these experiences, he devoted himself to creative works of enamels on metal. At first, he experimented with refined small decorative objects of many shapes in brilliant colors. By improving his technique, he mastered the craft and reached the highest levels of innovation. In the 1940s, he collaborated with Gio Ponti to produce furniture and decorative panels.
Later, their collaboration led to new objects of design and animal motifs in sculptural forms. In addition to the production of vases, bowls, trays, plates, cups, plaques, and door handles in enamel on copper, he also worked on large panels for decorating the interiors of ships and ocean liners, hotels, universities, public buildings, and homes of collectors, in Italy and abroad. Many works are the result of collaborations with architects-designers
His creations are shown in International Exhibitions: Brussels in 1935, Paris in 1937, New York in 1939, and several decorative shows and art fairs such as those held in Florence, Cairo, Helsinki, Monaco, London, Oslo, Stockholm, Beirut, etc. as part of the expression of the Italian style. He exhibited his enamel works 14 times at the Venice Biennale and 10 times at the Milan Triennale. As for the modern productions of Murano glasses and Faenza majolica, many of his works in enamel on copper, as wall panels and design objects, now belong to the permanent collection of important museums of decorative arts and design.
He has actively supported the cultural heritage and the arts, serving on various associations and boards. From 1960 to 1973, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Milan Triennale. In 1970, he was decorated with the title Cavaliere del Lavoro. He died in Padua.
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