Italian Bar Cabinet with Painted Panels, 1940s

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Description

Rare Italian bar cabinet produced in the 1940s, attributable to the design of Gio Ponti and enriched by two extraordinary … Read more Rare Italian bar cabinet produced in the 1940s, attributable to the design of Gio Ponti and enriched by two extraordinary hand-painted front panels signed by Edina Altara.

The painted panels depict an elegant mythological hunting scene, with female figures, horses, animals and a refined landscape composition. The decoration recalls Altara’s poetic and narrative language, where classical inspiration, decorative fantasy and a delicate sense of movement come together in a composition of great theatrical charm.

Edina Altara was one of the most fascinating Italian artists and decorators of the 20th century. Painter, illustrator and designer, she is particularly known for her refined decorative work and for her collaborations with Gio Ponti, creating drawings and ornamental compositions applied to furniture and interiors designed by Ponti.

The cabinet combines warm wood tones with sculptural geometric panels in solid walnut, carved with a repeated pyramidal diamond motif. The front profiles framing the painted panels are in maple, creating a refined contrast with the richness of the painted doors and the three-dimensional effect of the lateral and central panels.
The base is particularly decorative, with curved supports lacquered in an ivory tone, gold leaf profiles and a shaped wooden platform. The keyholes and keys are in brass.

The two doors open to reveal a precious maple interior, fully mirrored and fitted with glass shelves and small drawers, making the piece ideal as a bar cabinet or as a highly decorative storage cabinet.

The contrast between the hand-painted doors, the solid walnut geometric panels and the mirrored interior gives the cabinet a theatrical and refined presence, perfectly suspended between Italian mid-century design and decorative art. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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