Frieze Masters 2023
Friedman Benda | Booth G09
Ettore Sottsass [Italian, 1917-2007] produced by Il Sestante
Container (FF no. 327), 1959
Ceramic
2.75 x 10.5 x 6 inches
7 x 26.5 x 15 cm
The ancient, ritualistic resonance of the chalice, goblet or bowl form was to remain a consistent metaphor throughout Sottsass’ career. Through his exposure to other cultures, Sottsass had remained conscious of the universality of certain themes and forms to resonate within the human psyche. Drawing upon the theories of the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who had advanced the concept of the ‘collective unconscious’, Sottsass was able to develop forms and palettes that could be interpreted as ‘archetypal’, designed to reflect and to be invested with a cumulative human experience. Examples of this design were subsequently retailed by Il Sestante from 1960 as model 194, available with four glaze options.
— Ettore Sottsass Important Works from a Private Collection, Christie’s New York, December 2013, p. 17
Provenance
Estate of Ettore Sottsass, Jr.
Literature
“Nuove ceramiche di serie, Ettore Sottsass, jr.,” Domus, no. 345, August 1958, p. 46.
“In un arredamento, composizione di pareti, Ettore Sottsass, arch.,” Domus, no. 358, September 1959, pp. 13, 17-18 (FF no. 327 gold lustre glaze example illustrated).
“Ettore Sottsass Ceramiche dal 1955 al 1970,” Domus, no. 749, May 1993, p. 68.
Fulvio Ferrari, Ettore Sottsass: Tutta La Ceramica, Turin: Umberto Allemandi, 1996, p. 87.
Ettore Sottsass Important Works from a Private Collection, New York: Christie’s, December 2013, pp. 17-18 (FF no. 327 gold lustre glaze example illustrated).
Fulvio Ferrari, Sottsass 1000 Ceramics, Turin: AdArte s.r.l., 2017, pp. 70, 74 (drawing).
