Vivai del Sud

VIVAI DEL SUD (Rome, founded in 1950).
Large freestanding folding screen with mirror, late 1970s.
Black-lacquered wood and mirror.
Folding frame.
In very good condition.
Measurements: 185 x 205 x 8 cm.

This piece is a particularly rare version of the large mirror screens produced by Vivai del Sud during the 1970s, which are better known in their bamboo and rattan variants. Here, the black-lacquered wood transforms the piece into a composition of striking visual impact, in which the frame overlaps the mirror to form an architectural design of arches, radial lines, and stylized palm trees. A piece with identical measurements and characteristics is documented as having been produced in the late 1970s by the Roman firm.

Its large size and the way its panels are arranged allow it to be used both as a room divider and as a floor mirror, altering the perception of space depending on its configuration. The strict geometry of the grid combines with the palm tree motif—one of the recurring elements in Vivai del Sud’s visual language—creating a balance between architectural monumentality and the exuberant aesthetic characteristic of Italian interior design of that decade. The contrast between the lacquered black and the large reflective surfaces further accentuates the piece’s depth and theatrical quality.

Founded in Rome in 1950 by brothers Giorgio, Gianfranco, and Piero di Pierri, Vivai del Sud began its work in the fields of landscaping and winter gardens before expanding, around 1970, into interior design and furniture design. The firm developed a highly recognizable design language, combining Mediterranean and classical references with natural materials, mirrors, and a distinct decorative sensibility. Their designs gained widespread international recognition and appeared in publications such as *Domus* and *Casa Vogue*; in 1975, the latter dedicated a cover to the firm’s pieces, featuring their characteristic palm tree and mirror motifs. The historical significance of Vivai del Sud has been examined in Stefania Bedoni’s monograph, *Vivai del Sud*, published by Quodlibet as part of the *Quaderni ADI Lazio* series.