At the end of January, the Cambi auctions return. The protagonists are design and photography.
January 27 is the turn of design.
The auction will be live at the Milan headquarters of via San Marco 22.
101 unique or rare lots have been “chosen for historical importance, design quality, and aesthetic value” focusing on the Twentieth century and demonstrating “the evolution of design as a cultural language between art and experimentation”.
Among the top lots are the furnishings of Carlo Bugatti: parchments, fine woods, embossed copper, and precious inlays. From a photo frame (€ 2,000.00 / 4,000.00), it moves to arabesque armchairs and chairs, up to a mirror (€ 10,000.00 / 15,000.00) and a folder holder (€ 8,000.00 / 12,000.00). Fine pieces of Fontana Arte, such as tables and lamps signed by Pietro Chiesa, which impresses with the play of light and transparency achieved by shaping the crystal.
Certainly the most unique and unprecedented lots are the futurist furnishings by Gerardo Dottori (movement of the Second Futurism and signatory of the Aeropainting Manifesto), even more sought after because they come from Casa Cimino. It was designed in the 1930s at the request of Guido Cimino, lawyer and collector of the artist.
Again, the focus is on the works of Osvaldo Borsani, including a monumental dining table made by the Atelier of Varedo around 1940.
The design auction: well-known names and the core of Gabriella Crespi
There is no shortage of beloved designer pieces such as Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino, Ettore Sottsass, Venini, Stilnovo, Gaetano Pesce.
Consistent are the lots that make up a monographic core dedicated to Gabriella Crespi. Many of the lots are the Piccoli animali, created between 1970 and 1974. They are sculptures in lost-wax gilded bronze or silver-plated metal, which hold Murano glass eggs. Of greater significance, the rare Puzzle Table from the Plurimi series and the sedie Jacaré, a Brazilian word that indicates a small caiman. Among the works with higher estimates, the tavolo Ellisse also from the Plurimi series (€ 40.000,00 / 60.000,00).
Gabriella Crespi
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM and it is possible to participate in person, through written or telephone bids, and live online through the Cambi Live service.
The Catalogue of the Cambi design auction
The photography auction, the core of Inge Schönthal Feltrinelli
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM, the Photography of the Twentieth Century and contemporary takes place.
100 selected lots, at the center the iconic legacy of Inge Schönthal Feltrinelli. Since the Fifties, while the Feltrinelli publishing house was taking shape, Inge was capturing portraits of personalities who have marked history. These photographs are the result of encounters, even casual ones.
Among the most awaited is the 1952 photograph of Anna Magnani (lot 40); Pablo Picasso captured in his studio in Cannes (lot 41) and in the house “La California” (lot 42); Giangiacomo Feltrinelli with Fidel Castro (lot 43); Ernest Hemingway (lot 44) in a test shot with Inge Feltrinelli (lot 45), evidence of a relationship that was both friendly and professional. All the photographs, part of the Personal Collection of Inge Feltrinelli, are original vintage prints.
The proceeds from the sale of this core will fund the Premio Inge Feltrinelli. Raccontare il mondo, difendere i diritti, dedicated to “women and new generations engaged in telling stories of denied rights, discrimination, and resistance”.
The photography of the protagonists of the Twentieth Century
An additional protagonist of the auction will be Gianni Berengo Gardin with works that span decades of his work. Noteworthy are especially the images of daily life and Italian living (lots 32, 36, 37). Furthermore, there are some significant shots by Mario Giacomelli including Io non ho mani che mi accarezzino il volto, from the series Pretini.
Not to be overlooked is the vintage print by Robert Capa Troina, 3-4 agosto 1943 (lot 55), “document of the Sicilian campaign, with Magnum stamp on the back”. Among the lots are also works by artists such as Luca Maria Patella, Christo, Ugo Rondinone.
Also featured is an international contemporary photographer: Albert Watson. His range goes from € 10,000.00 to 20,000.00.
The catalog of the Cambi photography auction
She has collaborated for many years with art magazines such as Artribune, XIBT Contemporary, ArtApp, Insideart and Espoarte, preferring contemporary art in its many facets and media drifts.
