◆ GIO PONTI (ITALIAN 1891-1979) IMPORTANT DAYBED, 1927 Ferrara walnut, veneered walnut, gilt-metal (208cm long, 82.5cm high, 97cm deep) Footnote: Provenance: A Private European Collection of Design Literature: U. La Pietra, Gio Ponti, New York, 1988, p. 8 (similar example illustrated); L. Falconi, Gio Ponti, Interni, Oggetti, Disegni, 1920-1977, Milan, 2005, p. 43 (similar example illustrated). This daybed is believed to be a unique piece and appears to be the example exhibited at the III Biennale of 1927. The piece demonstrates his fascination with classicism and simplicity, but in a contemporary modern manner. It very much aligns him with Novecento thinking in Italy at the time. Novecento was an artistic grouping founded in Milan, in 1922, with the objective of restoring the greatness of Italy by referring back to the glorious 1400 and 1500s. At this time Ponti was designing furniture with Il Labirinto - a group that included Tomaso Buzzi, Pietro Chiesa and Paolo Venini – who sought to create unique works from luxurious materials. As can be seen the daybed is opulent in its use of walnut and gilt-metal. It expressed the priorities of acknowledging the past whilst at the same time remaining innovative and progressive. These values were guiding principles in his work over the following decades.