Marble Box by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo Di Cambio, 1970s

Details

Description

Designed by Joe Colombo and created by Arnolfo di Cambio in the early 1970s, the "Biglia" box is a refined … Read more Designed by Joe Colombo and created by Arnolfo di Cambio in the early 1970s, the "Biglia" box is a refined example of material experimentation and functional design. The object reflects Colombo's modular and futuristic vision, which conceived each element as part of a coherent system of contemporary life: compact, essential, and technically advanced.
The base is crafted from perfectly proportioned amethyst-colored crystal, while the curved, sliding lid in polished stainless steel creates an elegant contrast between transparency and reflection, warm and cold, organic and industrial. The high-quality construction, typical of Arnolfo di Cambio, is evident in the impeccable polishing of the crystal and the precision of the metal, which transform a simple container into a luminous micro-sculpture.
Signed "Joe Colombo" and labeled Arnolfo di Cambio, the Biglia represents a rare synthesis of function and sculpture in 1970s Italian design, a testament to Colombo's visionary aesthetic and the artisanal excellence of Tuscan craftsmanship. In excellent condition, with minor signs of aging on the steel.

Product Name: Biglia Box by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, Italy, 1970s
Designer: Joe Colombo
Year of Design: Early 1970s
Style: Experimental Italian design from the 1970s, futuristic and organic
Main Materials: Amethyst-colored blown crystal; mirror-polished stainless steel
Distinctive Design: Solid crystal base with essential proportions and a luminous internal texture, combined with a curved, sliding stainless steel lid; a material dialogue between hot and cold, organic and industrial, transparent and opaque, typical of Colombo's poetics.
Dimensions: Length 21cm | Width 13cm | Height 4cm
Typical Use: Decorative box, valuable container, or domestic micro-sculpture; ideal for consoles, coffee tables, or designer desks.
Design Icon: An emblematic example of Joe Colombo's modular and visionary research, in line with projects such as the Total Furnishing Unit and the Tube Chair. One of Arnolfo di Cambio's most sought-after creations
Versatility: Perfect for modern, contemporary, or eclectic interiors; the balance of colored crystal and mirrored steel integrates easily into both light and dark environments.
Current Design Condition: Crystal in excellent condition; minor signs of aging on the steel lid, consistent with its age.
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of aging may be present, but these do not affect its functionality. Please consider these characteristics before purchasing.

Joe Colombo (1930–1971) was one of the most visionary and innovative designers of the twentieth century, a central figure in Italian design in the 1960s and 1970s. His research focused on the design of spaces and objects conceived as modular, flexible systems that could adapt to contemporary lifestyles, anticipating concepts now considered revolutionary: micro-homes, modular furnishings, multifunctional objects, and technologies integrated into everyday life. His most famous works include the Tube Chair, the Multichair, the Carrellino Boby, the Elda Chair, and the Total Furnishing Unit, a single, 28-square-meter living unit that combined the living room, bedroom, and kitchen into a single functional unit. Colombo worked with then-experimental materials, such as molded plastic, fiberglass, and chromed metals, creating organic, futuristic forms. Despite his short career, his legacy is enormous: many of his ideas are now considered precursors of contemporary living, and the objects he designed are icons exhibited in major museums around the world, from MoMA to the Triennale Design Museum. Joe Colombo remains the symbol of "future" design, capable of uniting utopia, technology, and everyday life. This piece has an attribution mark,
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