Vintage pendant lamp in brass and opaline glass by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1955

This brass and opal glass chandelier, signed Max Ingrand for the iconic Italian lighting manufacturer Fontana Arte, dates from 1955. Designed with noble materials and pure forms, this bow-tie-like piece perfectly illustrates the chic, timeless style of mid-century Italian haute-creation, of which Fontana Arte was a major player. The lampshade is composed of four curved opal glass blades that join at the center of the chandelier. All are half wrapped in a delicate brass structure. This fusion of materials provides a sophisticated, diffused light, creating a welcoming atmosphere in any interior. Literature: Vitrum, n. 100, February 1958, page 38. Max Ingrand was artistic director of Fontana Arte from 1954 until his death in 1969. He left behind a lasting legacy of innovative design and artistic vision that continues to shape the brand's identity today. Fontana Arte, founded in 1932, is renowned for its pioneering contributions to the world of Italian lighting and furniture design, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics to create pieces that stand the test of time. Ingrand's mastery of materials and forms gave rise to timeless creations, including the iconic "Nuvola" and "Fontana" lamps. Max Ingrand (1908-1968), French master glassmaker and designer, was introduced to the art of stained glass in Jacques Grüber's workshop. Trained at the Beaux-Arts and Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, he began by restoring stained-glass windows destroyed during the war, and carried out government commissions. After the Second World War, he reopened his studio in Paris, becoming a prodigy of light and transparency, as well as a talented designer. As artistic director of the prestigious Italian lighting manufacturer Fontana Arte, from 1954 until his death in 1969, he fashioned iconic luminaires and explored new technologies, marketing halogen gas luminaires in particular. Reference : 309877