'Amazonia' Resin Vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Italy, Serie 2007, Signed

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Description

This sculptural 'Amazonia' vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Designs, Italy, is an authentic early-21st-century example dating to 2007 (signed … Read more This sculptural 'Amazonia' vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Designs, Italy, is an authentic early-21st-century example dating to 2007 (signed with Serie 2007 stamp), produced during a period when Pesce’s resin works were still executed in comparatively limited, workshop-driven batches rather than today’s broader ongoing production. As such, pieces from this era are increasingly sought after by collectors for their closer proximity to the artist’s original intent, material experimentation, and hands-on oversight.

The vase is formed in richly pigmented, hand-poured resin with Pesce’s signature organic asymmetry and expressive surface texture. The undulating body evokes aquatic movement, while the integrated fish-like feet give the form a playful yet surreal presence, hallmarks of Pesce’s long-standing fascination with nature, transformation, and nonconformist design. Variations in translucency, air bubbles, and color density are inherent to the work and should be understood as deliberate artistic choices rather than imperfections, reinforcing the individuality of each example.

This piece retains its original molded Pesce stamp at the base, confirming authenticity. The warm golden-amber coloration is particularly striking, catching and refracting light in a way that accentuates the sculptural contours and gives the vase a glowing, almost molten quality. Whether displayed as a functional vessel or as a standalone sculptural object, it reads immediately as Pesce - bold, provocative, and unapologetically unconventional.

A strong addition for collectors of post-modern and contemporary Italian design, this 2007 Amazonia vase represents a desirable earlier chapter in Pesce’s resin oeuvre and stands apart from later mass-market iterations.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Gaetano Pesce, born on November 8, 1939, in La Spezia, Italy, is renowned as a leading figure in contemporary Italian design and architecture. Fearlessly experimental with materials and color, Pesce has collaborated with Italy’s foremost design companies, including Artemide, Vitra, Cassina, and B&B Italia.

Pesce began his journey into design at the University of Venice, where he pursued architecture and graduated in 1965. Influenced by prominent figures such as Ernesto Nathan Rogers and Mario Bellini at the Venice College of Industrial Design, Pesce embraced a commitment to novelty and avant-garde principles. He co-founded the avant-garde architectural collective "Gruppo N," inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic, during his formative years.

Pesce’s portfolio encompasses a wide range of designs, from iconic furniture pieces to monumental architectural projects. His creations reflect a profound contemplation of modernity, exemplified by the La Mamma chair (1969), which evokes a prehistoric fertility figure, and the Organic Building in Osaka (1993), celebrated for its innovative hanging garden motif.

Among his most celebrated furniture designs are the Up series for B&B Italia, including the Up5 armchair (La Donna) and Up6 ottoman (La Mamma), which challenge traditional notions of form and function with their bold, anthropomorphic shapes. Other notable designs include the 357 Feltri chair (1987) for Cassina and the groundbreaking 543 Broadway chair (1990).

In addition to his prolific design career, Pesce has been an influential educator, teaching at prestigious institutions worldwide such as the Domus Academy in Milan, the University of Hong Kong, and The Cooper Union in New York City. His work has been exhibited extensively at international venues, including notable showcases at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Triennale Design Museum in Stockholm. Recently, his designs were featured in the exhibition "Radical: Italian Design 1965-1985, The Dennis Freeman Collection" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Gaetano Pesce’s contributions to design have garnered numerous awards, including the Designer of the Year Award from A&W Architektur und Wohnen of Cologne, Germany, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles.

MEASUREMENTS:
13" Height x 11" Diameter

CONDITION:
Very good vintage condition, ready for immediate use. Light age and patina. Some small hard to see blemishes. See less