Cista The Classical Conversation
Gio Ponti
Revived from a typical form of Etruscan art, the model of the cista with lid, combined with the most refined decorations, was considered by Gio Ponti a true summa of the artistic quality of the porcelains he designed for Richard-Ginori. In 1925 Ponti presented in Monza and Paris a new luxurious pattern intended for important objects: La Conversazione classica. Similar to La Passeggiata archeologica in its general concept, it is distinguished by the numerous subjects it includes and by the more elaborate background. There appear twelve characters alternating with four groups of putti, a pair of dogs, and fifteen architectural or furnishing elements, among which are a fountain, a herm, and an equine protome. No element is depicted more than once on the same object. It is for this reason that on a large object such as the cista, figures belonging to La Passeggiata archeologica are also included.
The subjects are inspired by iconographic sources and printed archaeological catalogues. The colour scheme of La Conversazione classica on porcelain follows that of the urn with La Passeggiata archeologica decoration (inv. 3325): figures in purple, furnishings in gray, with outlines and details in gold. Ponti urges adherence to this rule and to resist the temptation to change the colors. Versions with figures in green and blue and personalized details were, however, exceptionally made for the cista gifted to Ugo and Fernanda Ojetti, now at the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan.
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Cista The Classical Conversation
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Cista The Classical Conversation
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Cista The Classical Conversation
Revived from a typical form of Etruscan art, the model of the cista with lid, combined with the most refined decorations, was considered by Gio Ponti a true summa of the artistic quality of the porcelains he designed for Richard-Ginori. In 1925 Ponti presented in Monza and Paris a new luxurious pattern intended for important objects: La Conversazione classica. Similar to La Passeggiata archeologica in its general concept, it is distinguished by the numerous subjects it includes and by the more elaborate background. There appear twelve characters alternating with four groups of putti, a pair of dogs, and fifteen architectural or furnishing elements, among which are a fountain, a herm, and an equine protome. No element is depicted more than once on the same object. It is for this reason that on a large object such as the cista, figures belonging to La Passeggiata archeologica are also included.
The subjects are inspired by iconographic sources and printed archaeological catalogues. The colour scheme of La Conversazione classica on porcelain follows that of the urn with La Passeggiata archeologica decoration (inv. 3325): figures in purple, furnishings in gray, with outlines and details in gold. Ponti urges adherence to this rule and to resist the temptation to change the colors. Versions with figures in green and blue and personalized details were, however, exceptionally made for the cista gifted to Ugo and Fernanda Ojetti, now at the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan.
