Container with lid The Ballet or Homage to the Snobs

The large bonbonnière was designed by Gio Ponti in 1925 for the exhibitions in Monza and Paris, where it enjoyed considerable success. This coloured version bears the mark with the name Omaggio agli snob, a title later changed to Il Balletto, as shown in the caption published in the catalogue Ceramiche moderne d’arte Richard-Ginori, Milano [1930], p. 49. This change reflects a reconsideration by Ponti, who, although still identifying the piece by its original title, preferred that it not be used officially or marked under the works. The presence of the name on the colored museum example, produced in 1927, could be due to the fact that it was not intended for sale. The expression snob refers to the figures of peasants dancing on the lid, an ironic tribute to those who look down on art and folk traditions.

The fluted motif of the container, characteristic of the Art Deco taste, demonstrates knowledge of metal examples produced by the Officine Viennesi based on designs by Josef Hoffmann. The Museum owns a second version decorated in gold (inv. 5377).