Thursday 24 April 2008

Tomaso Buzzi

I have a new designer obsession. Tomaso Buzzi (1900 - 1981) was a member of the Labirinto group from 1927, along with the renowned italian designer, Gio Ponti. An architect and furniture designer, Buzzi created a limited series of neo-classical furniture designs in the late 1920s. His commissions included furnishings for the School of Arts and Crafts, San Paolo, Brazil. In 1932 he assumed artistic direction of Venini, and exhibited his innovative glass techniques at the 1936 Venice Biennale.

(Above) A Credenza and Cabinet (both from 1929) are availalable, along with other pieces, in the upcoming Christie's 20th Century Decorative Arts auction in London on April 30. Both pieces have such gracious silouettes, and I absolutely love burlwood. So elegant!

"La Scarzuola" a convent in Umbria founded by St Francis of Assisi, was bought by Buzzi in the 50's in the hopes of transforming it. This, along with Palladio's villas in the north, will definitely be on my list of things to see next time I'm in Italy!

2 comments:

Pigtown*Design said...

A little heavy for my taste, but you can see the craftsmanship that goes into them.

Unknown said...

i think they are stunning! that credenza can come right home with me! (course i'd probably need a new home first, as mine isn't near grand enough for such a lovely).

thanks for the informative post!