1970s Polished Brass 5-Piece Sphere/Orb of Stacked Bowls/Ashtrays by Tommaso Barbi, Italy

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1970s polished brass 5-piece sphere/orb of stacked bowls/ashtrays by Tommaso Barbi, Italy

By: Tommaso Barbi
Material: copper, brass, metal, zinc
… Read more 1970s polished brass 5-piece sphere/orb of stacked bowls/ashtrays by Tommaso Barbi, Italy

By: Tommaso Barbi
Material: copper, brass, metal, zinc
Technique: cast, molded, metalwork, polished
Dimensions: 5.5 in x 5 in
Date: mid-20th century, circa 1970
Style: Space Age, Mid-Century Modern
Place of origin: Italy

Formed as a perfect sphere when closed, this polished brass object by Italian designer Tommaso Barbi reflects the fascination with modularity and sculptural geometry that characterized the Space Age aesthetic of the 1970s. Conceived as a set of five individual elements, the orb unfolds into stacked bowls that may serve as decorative vessels or ashtrays, each section echoing the curvature of the whole and reinforcing the sense of continuity in its design. The smooth reflective surfaces highlight the material’s inherent warmth, while the precision of the casting and polished finish underscore the balance between functionality and visual impact.

In this piece, the dialogue between unity and separability illustrates a philosophy attuned to the modernist ideals of adaptability and formal purity. Both object and sculpture, it captures the interplay of practicality and futurist vision that defined mid-century Italian design. See less