Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1542302
Gio Ponti Orcio Vase Donne e Architettura for Ginori 1735 By Steven Hempel W i t h i n t h e period of legendary a r c h i t e c t Gio Ponti's creative direction at Ginori — spanning 1923 to 1933 — a distinctive visual language took shape. Much of Ponti's work continues to be produced at Ginori. Here, the Orcio Vase Donne e Architettura, rendered in shades of blue and white, unfolds with eight ethereal female figures drifting across soft clouds, their names inscribed along the neck of the vase, while the surrounding scene opens onto a dreamlike vision of architectural references, from monumental pyramids to the iconic form of the Colosseum. Executed entirely by hand on majolica, the piece exemplifies Ponti's ability to distill thousands of years of history into a single fluid composition. Created as part of a numbered series and signed with the painter's Gio Ponti's Legacy at Ginori 1735 initials, each work reflects an exceptional degree of technical finesse that's characteristic of Ponti's tenure at the workshop. The complexity of the decoration and the extended time required for its execution elevate the two vases in the series far beyond the realm of simple ornament. Produced by commission, the largest is 37 inches tall. ginori1735.com. 12