A rare example of authored furniture, the Melpomene coat rack, designed by the BBPR group for Artemide in the 1970s, stands as a significant testament to Italian experimental design. Hard to find on the market today, it is now considered a collectible object, emblematic of the formal and conceptual language of the Milanese group.
Constructed from black lacquered metal, Melpomene is distinguished by the rigorous and theatrical architecture of its structure: eight arched arms, arranged radially, emerge from a central ring like graphic elements suspended in space. Though functional, the composition clearly expresses an artistic intent: each curve and void evokes a scenographic, almost metaphysical dimension. Its name, inspired by the muse of tragedy, highlights the classical references typical of BBPR’s work. Created in an era when the boundaries between functional object and installation were increasingly blurred, Melpomene embodies the aesthetic of an “intellectual” design—meant not only to be used, but to be observed, studied, and preserved. A rare presence in the catalogs of Italian industrial design, it is now sought after by museums and collectors for its historical, formal, and cultural value.
Dimensions: height 181 cm, diameter 41 cm.
Condition: excellent vintage condition, with minor signs of wear consistent with age and use. Original finish preserved.
Price: 470 CHF
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