- 150
Ingo Maurer
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Ingo Maurer
- 'Porca Miseria!' Chandelier
- porcelain, metal
Literature
Bernhard Dessecker, ed., Ingo Maurer: Designing with Light, Munich, 2008, pp. 162-169
Condition
Overall very good condition. One element with a small area that has been professionally and sensitively restored. Sotheby's does not guarantee electrical components and recommends having all wiring inspected by a qualified electrician.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Porca Miseria was initially conceived for the Villa Wacker on Lake Constance. The interiors of the 19th century villa were redesigned by German architect and designer Bruno Paul, one of the founders of Jugendstil. The interior of the kitchen called for something dynamic, forming the initial design for the present lot. Maurer initially titled the work Zabriskie Point as he was eminded of an explosive slow motion scene in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film of the same name. It was when the final work was exhibited at the Milan showroom of Spazio Krizia when an Italian gentleman proclaimed ‘Porca Miseria! Che fantastic, Ingo! Tu sei pazzo, geniale!’ Thus the abiding title of the work was born.
The process for constructing the work is a masterful combination of controlled disorder and free composition, a characteristic seen in many of Maurer’s designs: ‘Chance rules our life, much more than intention’. Time-consuming and requiring great consideration, each piece of porcelain must be broken and smoothed by hand before all of the rods are soldered. The composition of each object is then carefully and individually composed to create the most dramatic effect, making each work unique.