The collecting of 20th-century design and decorative arts confirms extraordinary vitality, as demonstrated by the recent results recorded in Milan during the latest sector auction event.
What are the success numbers of the auction house Il Ponte?
On the days of June 25 and 26, 2026, the important auction house Il Ponte hosted two sessions dedicated to historical design and decorative arts of the twentieth century. The event concluded with a total turnover exceeding €920,000. Within the catalog, 73% of the lots found a buyer, recording an average increase of 175% compared to the initial starting estimates.
Moreover, this exceptional result highlights how the collecting of design and decorative arts continues to reward the rarity of pieces and the presence of certified provenance.
The great international masters: Gino Sarfatti and George Nakashima
The first session featured two prominent names highly sought after by international collectors. The floor lamp model “178NT” by Gino Sarfatti reached the figure of €19,200, confirming the designer’s excellent positioning in the market of author lighting.
However, the real surprise came from the “Conoid Bench” by George Nakashima, sold for €25,600. This is a remarkable achievement, considering the rarity with which the works of the American designer and architect appear on the European market.
The central role of Ico Parisi between prototypes and history
Great attention was given to a coherent group of furniture designed by Ico Parisi between the late 1940s and early 1950s. Among the most contested pieces, the console made by F.lli Rizzi in 1947 was sold for €19,200. The pair of “egg” armchairs model 813 reached €20,480, while the coordinated sofa model 812 reached €10,240.
That said, the decisive factor for the increase in value was their status as prototypes produced by Ariberto Colombo. This characteristic significantly increased the historical interest and commercial appeal of the works.
Murano glass and author furniture
In the sector of decorative glass arts, the “spotted” bowl designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini doubled expectations, reaching €20,480. Excellent feedback also for the storage furniture by Giuseppe Rivadossi, sold for €17,920 and €16,640 respectively. The adjustable armchair from the “Carretto siciliano” series by Ernesto Basile was awarded for €10,880.
Additionally, among the standout lots are a 1930s table lamp by Michele Marelli for Venini (€10,240) and the “12699 Medusa” suspension lamp by Angelo Lelii (€10,240).
| Work / Furniture | Designer | Winning Bid |
| Conoid Bench | George Nakashima | €25,600 |
| Pair of “egg” armchairs (Mod. 813) | Ico Parisi | €20,480 |
| “Spotted” Bowl | Carlo Scarpa (Venini) | €20,480 |
| Floor Lamp “178NT” | Gino Sarfatti | €19,200 |
| Console (1947) | Ico Parisi (F.lli Rizzi) | €19,200 |
From the Zanotta apartment to radical design
The second auction day featured a selection of furniture from the Monza apartment of Aurelio Zanotta. These works bear the signature of the famous trio composed of Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi. The almost complete sale of the lots confirms the growing interest in the experimental era of author design from the 1970s.
Overall, the furniture signed by Azucena and Luigi Caccia Dominioni also recorded excellent performances. Among the notable results is the pair of suspension lamps model “LP2”, sold for €12,160.
The combination of rarity, illustrious provenance from unpublished Private collections, and original artisanal quality confirms the winning formula to attract the most important global investors.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
