Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, 1958
Description
Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Glass, Brass and Iron, Italy, 1958
Max Ingrand designed this coffee table to study material contrast and optical illusion. The structure stands on four iron legs, each accented with vertical bronze slats, adding texture and depth. A thick glass tabletop integrates a magnifying lens, transforming the surface into a dynamic focal point that plays with perception.
The table’s design features two distinct glass layers: an ultra-clear Murano glass top and a concave mirrored green glass beneath. This combination creates an optical interplay of light and reflection, elevating the piece beyond conventional furniture. Aged brass profiles add warmth, while the blackened iron frame provides structural integrity.
A master glassmaker and designer, Ingrand refined his expertise under Jacques Charles and Charles Lemaresquier, focusing on decorative arts and architectural glasswork. His career spanned artistic stained glass for religious and public buildings, earning him France’s Legion of Honor. His work blends modernist, mid-century, and Art Deco influences, forming a bridge between eras.
As FontanaArte’s artistic director (1954–1967), Ingrand revolutionized lighting design. His collaborations with Saint-Gobain, Gio Ponti, and Jean Perzel positioned him among the era’s leading innovators. His aesthetic aligns with André Arbus’s ornamental approach and complements designs by Gino Sarfatti, Jacques Adnet, and Angelo Lelli.
Dimensions
Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
Diameter: 31.11 in (79 cm)
Design
1958
Manufacture
1950-1959
Material
Glass, Brass, Iron
Location
Lonigo, IT
Condition
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