A Tribute to Italian Modernism: A Landmark Design Sale by Circa Auction

Italian design has always been more than a style — it’s a philosophy. Defined by a balance of craftsmanship, innovation, and sculptural beauty, Italian modernism reshaped how we live with art and furniture. This October, Circa Auction honors that legacy with a landmark event, A Tribute to Italian Modernism, presented on Bidsquare.
Spanning more than a century of design history, the sale traces Italy’s creative evolution from the 19th century’s handcrafted elegance to the geometric refinement of Art Deco and the daring experimentation of the mid-20th century. Together, these works form a stunning narrative of design; one that celebrates the visionary minds who made “Made in Italy” synonymous with modern luxury.

Masters of Form and Function
At the heart of this collection are works by the designers who defined 20th-century Italian interiors. From Afra & Tobia Scarpa’s plush, architectural forms to Gio Ponti’s poetic balance of proportion and play, every piece reveals a designer’s deep understanding of material and movement.

The auction includes highlights from Paolo Buffa, Marco Zanuso, Osvaldo Borsani, Angelo Mangiarotti, Luigi Caccia Dominioni, and Carlo De Carli, among others — each representing a unique chapter in Italy’s modernist story. Their work marries innovation and intimacy, proving that good design can be both functional and profoundly human.

Auction Highlights:

Mario Bellini for Meritalia, Opera Round Dining Table (2010) - Lot 62
A sculptural centerpiece that embodies Bellini’s mastery of form and his lifelong exploration of dialogue between people and objects

Estimate: $16,000 - $24,000

Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo, Pair of Wingback Lounge Chairs (1960s) - Lot 197
Elegant, architectural, and impossibly refined, these chairs exemplify Ponti’s philosophy that furniture should elevate daily life through beauty.

Estimate: $14,000 - $21,000

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Soriana 3-Seater Sofa (1960s) - Lot 96
A design icon of the era, the Soriana Sofa blends soft, organic lines with industrial precision, capturing the optimism of mid-century Italian design.

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, Black Marble Eros Console (1990s) - Lot 209
A tour de force of structural ingenuity, where balance and gravity become part of the design language.

Estimate: $9,000 - $13,500

Angelo Mangiarotti, Italian Rose Marble Coffee Table (1960s) - Lot 194
Graceful and enduring, this table celebrates the harmony between material honesty and architectural precision

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

A Global Design Conversation
While Italian modernism took root in Milan and Turin, its influence spread far beyond Italy’s borders. This auction also reflects that global conversation, showcasing designs by Florence Knoll, Milo Baughman, Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen, Jean Prouvé, and Charlotte Perriand; visionaries whose work both influenced and was inspired by Italian innovation.
From Danish minimalism to American modernist chic, these cross-cultural connections underscore how Italian design stood at the epicenter of a worldwide movement that continues to define contemporary interiors today.

Timeless Inspiration
For collectors, designers, and admirers alike, A Tribute to Italian Modernism is more than a sale; it’s an invitation to experience design as art. Each piece, whether a marble console or a sculptural chair, carries forward a legacy of elegance, experimentation, and enduring craftsmanship.

Explore the full catalog and discover how Italian modernism continues to inspire the spaces we live in today on Bidsquare.com.