Gio Ponti follow artist
pair of Diamond lounge chairs from Villa Arreaza, Caracas
pair of Diamond lounge chairs from Villa Arreaza, Caracas
Italy, 1954
leather, upholstery, brass 31 h × 33 w × 34 d in (79 × 84 × 86 cm)
Villa Arreaza by Gio Ponti
In the 1950s Gio Ponti was given carte blanche on the architectural and interior design of three villas two in Caracas, Venezuela and one in Tehran, Iran. Villa Arreaza, in Caracas, also known as The Diamantina for the diamond motif on its exterior and interior walls, was one of these important villas.
Commissioned by Blanca Arreaza in 1954, the villa took four years to complete. From the open floor plan, to the furnishings and décor, to items for daily use, Gio Ponti considered every aspect of the villa’s design. Ponti employed a bold color scheme of blues and whites alongside contrasting geometric patterns of diamonds, stripes and blocks of color which he applied to the walls, furniture and floors, alike. He used varied ceiling heights, folding walls and large windows to connect the interior of the villa to nature. Likewise the furnishings – modern and functional – added to the beauty and the comfort of the home. Dedicated to the idea of Joie de Vivre, Ponti endowed Villa Arreaza with life.
Villa Arreaza was partially demolished and altered in the 1990s but a number of the furnishings have survived. The following collection of furniture comes from Ponti’s Villa Arreaza; they have remained in private and family collections until now.
Sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Gio Ponti Archives.
provenance: Blanca Arreaza, Caracas, Venezuela | Thence by descent
literature: Gio Ponti 1891-1979, Master of Lightness, Roccella, ppg. 68-71 discuss commission, ppg. 68, 70 illustrate in situ Gio Ponti: l’Arte Si Innamora dell’Industria, La Pietra, pg. 251 Gio Ponti: The Complete Work 1923-1978, Ponti, pg. 194 l’Arredamento Moderno, Aloi, pg. 248