Large Display Cabinet in Wood and Lacquer by Fantoni, 1940s

Details

Description

An impressive architectural piece in wood and lacquer, this centre display cabinet merges sculptural form with the rhythm of Italian … Read more An impressive architectural piece in wood and lacquer, this centre display cabinet merges sculptural form with the rhythm of Italian modernism.

Design
Likely executed by the Fantoni workshop in Gemona during the first half of the 20th century, the piece demonstrates a bold interplay of volumes and materials. Constructed from Caucasian walnut and lacquered wood, the cabinet features a series of flowing, asymmetric shelves supported by alternating tapered struts and robust, cylindrical pillars in a rich oxblood red. These lacquered uprights lend the cabinet a sense of drama, while the lighter walnut shelves offer both elegance and structural clarity. The shelves have gently curved fronts and veneered surfaces.

The design walks the line between furniture and sculpture. Its open composition invites use as a central room divider or as a dynamic display unit for objects and books. While definitive attribution is unclear, the use of colour, sculptural contrast, and architectural rhythm align with the experimental ethos of Fantoni's post-war production, particularly his work blending artisanal tradition with modernist intent in the Friuli region. It might have been designed by Gildo Valconi.

This piece is at once functional and expressive, revealing careful attention to proportion, surface, and spatial interaction.

Condition
The condition of the cabinet is very good. It has some surface wear, like scratches, and signs of age are present, consistent with its era. No structural concerns observed. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less