Tapered chest with nine graduated drawers recessed on facade of each partially channel, mounted with cast and sculpted brass mystical marine creatures.

6 ft. 5 1/2 in. x 28 x 21 1/2 in.

Note: Fabio De Sanctis was born in Rome in 1931. At eighteen he enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture in Rome. He graduated in 1957 and opened an architectural office, participating in competitions and designing buildings for private and public clients. In 1966 De Sanctis was invited by the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York to participate in the Exhibition, "Fantasy Furniture". The exhibition was centered on the furniture of Officina 11 and took place during January, February, and March. De Sanctis stayed in New York for about two months. In June, July, and August of the same year the Museum of Modern Art in New York hosted the exhibition. In 1968 the Surrealist group organized an exhibition in Brno, Prague, and Bratislava - Le Principe du Plaisir - in which De Sanctis also took part. He got First Prize in Sculpture at the Tenth International Biennial in Barcelona. He is often called surrealist successor to Salvador Dali. Fabio lives and works in Rome. Ugo Sterpini was classically trained as a painter, while Fabio de Sanctis worked as both an architect and designer. De Sanctis also associated with and was greatly influenced by a group of international Surrealist artists organized by André Breton, which included Man Ray, Roberto Matta, and Meret Oppenheim.

Exhibited: "Fantasy Furniture", The Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York, January 21-March 13, 1966.

The current lot was included in the Museum of Contemporary Crafts of the American Craftsmen’s Council organized by Paul Smith. De Sanctis and Sterpini showed nine works, which were displayed alongside pieces by Wendell Castle, Thomas Simpson and Pedro Friedeberg. The designs shown in the exhibition were imaginative handmade works, free of traditional constraints and classically conceived functionality of pieces of furniture.

Literature: Illustrated and discussed in "Fantasy Furniture," Interiors, February 1966, p. 112; Carolyn Welton, "Art Collection Projects Owners Varied Interests", The Richmond News, August 28, 1969, p. 35. 

Generally, in good condition with scattered age splits and discoloration along the edges of the drawers. Minor scuffing to the ebonized drawer fronts and scattered verdigris patination on the bronze handles. Structurally sound. 

Notwithstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.