Wooden Sculpture by Urano Palma, Italy 1970s (sold)




















































Wooden Sculpture by Urano Palma, Italy 1970s (sold)
In Urano Palma’s designs it is often hard to separate sculpture from furniture. The artistic avant-garde movements have evidently left a mark on the Italian designer’s present high-back chair. The present work, while looking like a chair, falls in the sculpture category.
The Italian designer very seldom names his works, presumably they are intended to speak for themselves, which, they do. This hand finished, raw wood sculpture is the definition of eye-catching, but not in the flashy, kitschy way. The message that Palma intends to portray is that of a poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive contribution to the cultural image of the habitat as “Art of Living”. The hand carved wood throughout the work has an amazing texture, which is very apparent on the high back. The pattern is completely unique, and does not confine itself to strict symmetry.
This sculpture communicates with art, by means of visions and emotions: a quality that justifies its meaningful presence in any space. With its slender presence it enters dwellings not merely to be looked at, but also to interact in the life and with the needs of people; not only to decorate but also to animate. Urano Palma was a peculiar figure in the history of Italian design from the sixties. As exemplified by this creation, he strived to renew the art of living with a modern feeling for the old.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The wood has some chips and scratches.
Dimensions:
13.58 in W x 13.58 in D x 68.7 in H; Seat height 15.35 in
34.5 cm W x 34.5 cm D x 174.5 cm H; Seat height 39 cm
About the Designer:
Urano Palma was born in Varese in 1936. After wandering through many Italian cities, careful to the artistic avant-garde movements, he settled in Milan, where he had the chance to meet great artists, such as Lucio Fontana.
During his more than fifty years career, Urano Palma held exhibitions in Germany (Ulm, Munich, Düsseldorf) in France, Spain, in the USA and even in South Korea, where he was chosen together with other eight sculptors to represent Italy for the Seoul Olympic Games. With a work made of cast iron Palma’s creation for the Olympics was adored, and at the moment it is permanently exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art. In Korea, precisely in Busan, he also created an eight-meter-high brass work, made for the International Exhibition of Art organised by the South Korean government.
From 1960, Urano Palma completely devoted himself to design, creating unique furniture pieces that balance on the verge of sculpture and furniture. He died in 2010, leaving behind some of the most recognisable Italian design and furniture pieces. ~H.
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Price category: 1,000 - 2,500 usd / eur
This carved birch ladle originates from Sweden in the early 19th century, a period when everyday domestic objects were shaped by strong folk traditions and regional craftsmanship. In rural Scandinavian culture, utilitarian items were often carved by hand and given expressive forms that reflected both practicality and artistry. Birch, widely available and valued for its durability and fine grain, was a preferred material for household items, allowing makers to combine function with subtle decorative character.
This ladle is carved from a single piece of birch wood, its bowl smoothly hollowed and gently rounded to create a balanced, organic form. The handle extends fluidly from the body, curving upward into a sculptural hook-like shape that allows it to be hung if needed. Tool marks and natural variations in the wood grain remain visible, giving the surface warmth and authenticity while highlighting the hand-carved process. The proportions are carefully considered, with the broad bowl contrasting with the slender handle in a harmonious way. The soft patina suggests long use, adding depth and character without obscuring the clarity of the original carving. Subtle asymmetries further reinforce its handmade nature, making each angle slightly different and visually engaging.
Today, this early 19th century Swedish ladle stands as both a functional and a sculptural object. Whether displayed as part of a folk art collection, styled in a contemporary interior, or appreciated for its material honesty, it offers a connection to traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship. Its restrained elegance, tactile surface, and expressive silhouette make it a compelling example of how simple tools were elevated through skill and intention.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sculpture has recently been reconditioned. Due to the nature of the material, the item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
7.87 in W x 10.62 in D x 5.90 in H
20 cm W x 27 cm D x 15 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
This bowl’s origins can be traced back to Rudolf Steiner’s circle and was made in the so-called Anthroposophic style. Aesthetically, the movement took established silhouettes and morphed them into warped geometries often comprised of multifaceted angular surfaces.
Anthroposophy was originally a school of thought that combined spirituality and materiality for a better humanity. According to Steiner, the thought can also be translated into forms and colours. Everything by which we are immediately surrounded in life takes on an artistic form, therefore furniture is capable of vivifying the environment and like this bowl, its approach to design is organic functionalism. The shape, lines and material of this piece show strength and dynamism, while still staying light and stylish. The bowl’s form is stylistically closer to the organic elegance of modernism, therefore it is guaranteed to fit into, and stand out in any style and type of space. The inherent organicity is also apparent in the shape that doesn’t follow strict geometric principles, instead, has a natural flow to it. Swirling grain patterns further provide a striking visual dimension, highlighting a contrast of tone and texture. The form shifts subtly depending on the viewer’s angle, inviting exploration and offering a sense of balance between lightness and strength. Whether used as a functional centerpiece or simply admired as an object of form and shadow, it draws the eye through its quiet complexity and sculptural quality.
Adding pieces like this to a modern interior not only creates a diverse and interesting aesthetic, it also reminds that perfection cannot be reached and perhaps should not even be the goal. Instead, recognising the beauty of the imperfect created by nature and reformed by a craftsman can bring happiness into everyday life.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the material, item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
13.78 in W x 10.04 in D x 8.07 in H
35 cm W x 25.5 cm D x 20.5 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Mirrors are versatile pieces of interior décor with several functions and advantages; they create depth, increase light coverage, and add a statement to any space. Fusing function and form, mirrors offer useful reflection while also providing an eye-catching focal point in any room. This rare and beautiful Italian mirror has a stylish, defined look that is sure to stand out in any space.
In the early days, mirrors were made from obsidian, a smooth black stone, and metals, such as copper and bronze. The use of glass in mirror-making was initially developed during the rise of the glass industry, and later revolutionised by Murano glass-makers. This Italian model has a stylish, refined look that is certain to add refinement to any room’s ambiance. Wall mirrors, such as this one, are practical at their core, while also adding personality wherever they are placed. The play on materials and geometry, with the mirror’s clean and symmetrical lines, creates a neat, modern look. The patinated brass, the ultimate material of 20th century design is balanced out by the glass surface. Mirrors have long been used to make rooms feel bigger and brighter by reflecting light and creating an illusion of additional space, but there is much more beyond functionality. As this model shows, an accent mirror can incorporate a classic touch into a home, while reflecting timeless Italian style.
The design and materials provide simple elegance, making this mirror perfect to bring some understated modernism to any interior. It can serve equally well in a hallway, bathroom or living room, either mounted on a wall or spontaneously leaned against it. It adds depth, reflects light, and expands horizons as a statement piece.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Marks, scratches, and imperfections may be present on the glass due to manufacturing inconsistencies and the age of the item.
Dimensions:
19.68 in W x 0.98 in D x 29.33 in H
50 cm W x 2.5 cm D x 74.5 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
The second half of the 20th century saw a renewed fascination with organic form and material integrity. Across Europe, the postwar years brought a quiet resistance to industrial uniformity, artists and designers returned to the tactile immediacy of natural materials. Studio craftsmen began to treat wood, clay, and metal as expressive mediums rather than mere functional matter. The result was an era that celebrated the imperfect, the handmade, and the quietly sculptural, where design and art began to intertwine with new intimacy.
Carved from a single piece of richly grained wood, the elongated bowl reveals a deep respect for both material and skill. Its shape, stretching gracefully from end to end, feels fluid and intentional, while the gently arched handle gives the object a structural balance. The surface bears traces of the maker’s hand, with soft ridges and natural irregularities that add a tactile rhythm to its form. Swirling grain patterns further provide a striking visual dimension, highlighting a contrast of tone and texture. The form shifts subtly depending on the viewer’s angle, inviting exploration and offering a sense of balance between lightness and strength. Whether used as a functional centerpiece or simply admired as an object of form and shadow, it draws the eye through its quiet complexity and sculptural quality.
As with much of European studio craftsmanship from this era, this piece speaks to a time that valued authenticity and material truth above decoration or excess. The maker’s hand is evident yet never dominant, allowing the natural form of the wood to guide the design.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the material, item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
41.92 in W x 15.74 in D x 8.26 in H
106.5 cm W x 40 cm D x 21 cm H
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
Nature has been a source of inspiration for artists, craftsmen, and to people of all trades since the dawn of time. This traditional Dogon door from Mali is ideal to bring a piece of history into any space to marvel at the art of nature.
Dogon doors are carved wooden panels that have been used in Mali, West Africa by the Dogon people. The purpose of these doors was two-fold; to provide physical security for stored goods and to offer spiritual protection by warding off evil spirits. Many of these doors featured beautiful relief carvings, like the carvings present on this piece. This type of door was often crafted by a high-ranking blacksmith, since the Dogon door was considered more than just functional objects, but rather sacred. The motifs found on this piece symbolise fertility and life, as well as spirituality, wisdom and protection. Moreover, in the absence of modern polished surfaces, this door has textural, rough edges and surfaces, the wood takes pride in its qualities. The construction strips back the unnecessary, showcasing only its essential elements. The wood is left in its natural form as much as possible, while also prioritising functionality and longevity. In contemporary spaces, this door or room divider is the perfect furniture type to introduce organicity to an interior. This piece is sure to stand out for all the right reasons and spark interesting conversations.
As nature does not mass produce identically, this piece is truly one of a kind, with intense visual qualities, therefore it cannot be reproduced. This Dogon door can be a unique decoration for modern interiors, and here, the quality of timelessness isn’t even a question.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
29.92 in W x 9.84 in D x 61.02 in H
76 cm W x 25 cm D x 155 cm H
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Price category: 500 - 1,000 usd / eur
From Charlotte Perriand to Axel Einar Hjorth, stools have been staples in European design history. Modernist stools, like this organic model, stem from one of the earliest forms of seating, the milking stool. With a highly functional history and modernist look, this stool is a rare and stylish piece.
The design is characteristically simple in its form with clean lines, organic materials, and robust legs. Like many of its Scandinavian contemporaries, this stool maker favoured the use of high-quality, beautifully grained wood and rush. This solid wood and rope stool stands out thanks to its seat, made of expertly woven rush. Stretched between the wooden frame, the seat’s texture and colour pairs beautifully with the wood. The rush weaving is exceptionally crisp, showcasing the layered pattern and the weaver’s skill equally. Furthermore, the seat has a subtle ergonomic shape thanks to the rush’s natural qualities to accommodate the sitter. The four, robust wooden legs are hand carved into their peculiar shape where only the outer side touches the floor, lifting the design up to create a light, effortless impression. Every functional part, including the thick legs, serve an aesthetic purpose as well. The lines are rounded out and complement the visually arresting pattern of the wood and the woven seat. The core principle of modernist design emphasizes that one should be in harmony with his or her environment, which therefore needs to be free of anything unnecessary. In line with this sentiment, this stool entirely focuses on its solid wood and rush material and well-crafted, hand woven seat.
Characterized by functionality, simplicity and clean lines, the design of this stool is all about harmony. Its organic charm is palpable and exudes a lot of charm. This model is the perfect piece to add some modern organic charm to any interior. The expertly woven rush seat and overall quality and craftsmanship guarantee longevity to this heirloom piece.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some small scratches and marks on the patinated wood.
Dimensions:
13.58 in W x 9.64 in D x 4.52 in H
34.5 cm W x 24.5 cm D x 11.5 cm H
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Price category: 1,000 - 2,500 usd / eur
As a descendant of the modernist movement of the late 19th and the first half of the 20th century, Brutalism favoured celebrating the imperfect appeal of handmade items. With a robust, organic form, this bowl is the embodiment of Brutalism.
The piece has a refined rawness, and with its warm-toned and asymmetrical form. The wood’s stunning grain pattern is visible throughout, letting its natural expressiveness guide the design. The carvings and texture of the wood further add depth and character to the bowl - the pattern is so arresting that it can serve as a decorative element on its own. The design shows the understated beauty of the natural material, together with its endless possibilities under the hands of an expert craftsman. Organic and brutalist pieces like this bowl can be incorporated successfully into contemporary and traditional interiors alike, thanks to the timelessness of wood and the sheer quality of the piece.
The versatility and timeless elegance of darker woods make this bowl a captivating choice for those seeking to infuse their interiors with a touch of refined luxury and raw elegance.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The bowl has recently been reconditioned. Due to the nature of the material, this item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
23.62 in W x 16.92 in D x 5.11 in H
60 cm W x 43 cm D x 13 cm H