Lot 113: Mario DalFabbro

ca. 1972 stained wood

measurements note 26 1/8 in. (66.4 cm) high

Recent Sculptures by Mario DalFabbro , The Allentown Art Museum, Allentown, PA, September 8-October 1, 1972

To today?s connoisseur of mid-century modern design, Mario DalFabbro is best known as the author of several seminal books, including Modern Furniture and Furniture for Modern Interiors, which have become valuable period references. In the 1950?s and 60?s, DalFabbro was also well known as a designer of contract furniture for both American and Italian manufacturers, and as a behind-the-scenes consultant for such firms as Knoll and Paul McCobb Design Associates. His skill in technical drawing resulted in how-to books such as How to Build Modern Furniture and Upholstered Furniture, which were translated into numerous languages. Born in Treviso, Italy in 1913, he frequently exhibited his furniture in Milan in the late 1930s and 1940s, before moving to the United States in 1948. But DalFabbro?s passion was sculpture, and starting in 1968 he began exhibiting his work in the Northeast, his native Italy and Brazil. Although he won numerous awards, he refused to part with any of his sculpture and sculpted furniture, with the exception of museum acquisitions and trades with fellow artists, including Harry Bertoia, from whom DalFabbro received the sounding sculpture (Lot 115) in exchange for one of his own works. The present lot, Archaic Construction, is one of his masterworks, and has remained in his family until now. This is the first time that any of DalFabbro?s work has appeared at auction.