Based on designs by Gabriella Crespi

Based on designs by GABRIELLA CRESPI (Saronno, Italy, 1922–Milan, Italy, 2017).
Decorative box, Italy, 1970s.
Plexiglass and brass.
In good condition with a patina consistent with its age.
Measurements: 6 x 20 x 11 cm.
Decorative box made in the 1970s, designed in the style of Gabriella Crespi. Crafted from Plexiglas and brass, the piece combines the transparency of the synthetic material with the warmth of the metal—a characteristic feature of Italian design from that era. One of the Plexiglas surfaces features a textured finish that evokes the appearance of ice, creating an evocative interplay of light reflections and refractions. The composition reflects the aesthetic language developed by Crespi, based on a balance between the sophistication of the materials, geometric purity, and a refined exploration of visual effects.
Gabriella Crespi studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan, influenced by Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. Beginning in the 1950s, she built a distinguished career as a designer, creating furniture and objects that blend functionality and sculpture. She collaborated with Maison Dior in the 1960s and achieved international recognition with her innovative transformable furniture from the Plurimi series. Among her most iconic designs are the lost-wax bronze collections, the Rising Sun bamboo pieces, and the celebrated Fungo lamps. Her legacy was honored with a major retrospective at the Palazzo Reale in Milan in 2011, and since 2012, her archive and body of work have been managed by Gabriella Crespi Srl.