Luciano Frigerio (1928-1999) Coffee table in bronze, Brutalist style, 1970

Luciano Frigerio (1928-1999) Bronze coffee table, Brutalist style, circa 1970. Sculptural bronze coffee table with fins and a circular glass top. The base consists of three patinated and hammered bronze arms, symbolising stylised butterfly wings in bronze, connected in a hexagonal shape. Crowned with a thick, original cut glass top measuring 110 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height. Designer: Luciano Frigerio (1928-1999) Brutalist style. Italy. Circa 1970. Brutalism is a design style that originated in the field of architecture in the 1950s. The word "brutalism" comes from the French "brut," which translates to "raw." It is a massive structure with striking characteristics, built from raw materials. Luciano Frigerio was an Italian designer and composer born in Desio, Italy. His father, Giovanni, established a small cabinet-making workshop in 1889, where Frigerio's passion for craftsmanship took root. After completing his studies in accounting at Pio XI College, Frigerio devoted himself to two lifelong passions: furniture design and musical composition. In the 1960s, Frigerio transformed his family's small workshop into a renowned business, Frigerio di Desio, thus establishing a global reputation. He drew inspiration from masters of Italian design such as Gio Ponti, Franco Albini, and Carlo De Carli. Frigerio's most recognised contribution was his "Mobili Zing" (Furniture Sculpture) and "Letti Zing" (Sculpted Beds), which merge materials like solid wood and bronze, creating unique and artistic furniture far removed from mass-produced items of the time. In 1973, Frigerio received the prestigious title of Commendatore of the Italian Republic and later, in 1989, he was named Cavaliere of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. His work has been exhibited in leading Italian art galleries and fairs.