Silvered Metal Bud Vase “Cardinale”. Italian Work by Lino Sabattini. Circa 1960

The bud vase rises from a solid conical base towards an elongated and pinched neck, whose crescent-shaped notch gives the “Cardinale” model its name, an allusion to the ecclesiastical headdress. The mirror-polished silvered metal surface, without any applied decoration, concentrates all the interest on the sculptural purity of the silhouette.

This model is one of the most famous creations of Lino Sabattini (1925-2016), Italian silversmith and designer, artistic director of Christofle in the 1950s-1960s before founding his own manufactory in Bregnano. His work, at the crossroads of silverwork and sculpture, is present in the collections of the MoMA.

Condition report: Good overall condition. Bright silvering with fine marks of use and a few areas of soft patina on the surface. A sculptural piece that stands on its own on a console, a library or a festive table.