Artcurial's BBPR furniture auction sparks provenance dispute with Castello Sforzesco
On September 28, Artcurial will host its third evening auction dedicated to Italian design and Rationalism, showcasing over 100 items, including a hand-painted Proust armchair crafted by Alessandro Mendini. Among the lots is a bench from 1963, measuring 79.5 cm, made of walnut, black-plated steel, and brass, which has ties to Milan's Castello Sforzesco and was consigned by Gate 5. This bench is associated with BBPR's renovation of the Castello Museums. However, the Castello Sforzesco administration disputed the furniture's provenance, asserting that the chandelier is still located in the Sala del Tesoro. Following an August 20 article in Il Fatto Quotidiano, the Municipality of Milan sought a correction. Triennale president Stefano Boeri urged caution regarding the rising market value of 1950s-60s Italian design, while the Marcucci amendment (2017) increased protection levels for iconic Italian designs.
Key facts
- Artcurial's third evening sale of Italian design and Rationalism on September 28 includes over 100 lots.
- Lot 51 is a 79.5 cm walnut, black-plated steel, and brass bench from 1963, listed provenance: Sala delle Asse, Castello Sforzesco.
- The bench was consigned by Monaco-based gallery Gate 5.
- The bench purportedly came from BBPR's installation for the Castello Museums (1954-1956 and 1963).
- BBPR stands for Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti, Ernesto Nathan Rogers, and Gian Luigi Banfi.
- Gate 5 also offered two other benches and a large chandelier by ArteLuce based on BBPR design.
- Castello Sforzesco directorate denied the furniture originated from its halls; the chandelier remains in place.
- ArteLuce produced serial modular chandeliers based on BBPR's model 2045.
- Municipality of Milan requested correction from Il Fatto Quotidiano, published August 20.
- Artcurial modified the bench's listing after the dispute.
- The chandelier's 2015 export was authorized by Bologna Export Office despite Triennale opposition.
- Triennale's then-director Silvana Annicchiarico requested compulsory purchase by the Ministry, which did not act.
- Triennale president Stefano Boeri noted rapid market value increase for 1950s-60s Italian design.
- The Marcucci amendment (2017) raised protection threshold from 50 to 70 years after production.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Mendini
- Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso
- Enrico Peressutti
- Ernesto Nathan Rogers
- Gian Luigi Banfi
- Gino Sarfatti
- Silvana Annicchiarico
- Stefano Boeri
Institutions
- Artcurial
- Gate 5
- Castello Sforzesco
- BBPR
- ArteLuce
- Triennale
- Museo del Design italiano
- Il Fatto Quotidiano
- Comune di Milano
- Ministero dei Beni Culturali
- Ufficio Esportazioni di Bologna
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Milan
- Italy
- Monaco
- Bologna
- Genoa
- Venice
- Sala delle Asse
- Castello Sforzesco
- Torre Velasca
- Palazzo Bianco
- Museo Correr