Max Ingrand “1943” sconces for Fontana Arte, brass and glass, Italy, 1960s, Set of 2
Designed by Max Ingrand, the “1943” wall sconces for Fontana Arte capture the brand’s signature balance of technical precision and luminous restraint. Each sconce is composed of two faceted glass panels—satin-frosted to soften the glare—forming a sharp, architectural profile, while the thick polished edges catch the light with a crisp, prismatic effect. When lit, the composition reads like a floating volume: diffused illumination radiates outward, washing the wall with an even, atmospheric glow.
Brass details introduce warmth and structure. The horizontal bars work like small braces, visually “locking” the glass planes into a clean graphic rhythm, while the dark backplate heightens contrast and depth, making the glass feel lighter and more sculptural. Decorative yet rigorously designed, these sconces function as lighting and as wall architecture—quiet, graphic, and unmistakably Fontana Arte.
About the designer
Max Ingrand (1908–1969) was a French master of glass and lighting design who shaped mid-century modern lighting through his refined use of materials and optical effects. As artistic director at Fontana Arte, he helped define an era in which glass craftsmanship met modern production, aligning his work with the sophisticated Italian lighting culture of the time, from Gio Ponti’s luminous experiments to the broader language of Arteluce and Stilnovo.
Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)
Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)
Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
1955
1950-1959
Glass and brass
Lonigo, IT
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