Lucio Fontana's Ceramic Dolphin Heads to Auction in Innsbruck
A rare ceramic dolphin by Lucio Fontana, created in the early 1950s for the pool of Villa Tagliabue in Monza, will be auctioned by InnAuction in Innsbruck on November 30. The work, titled "Delfino," measures 320x140x120 cm and was part of an innovative pool design by architect Giulio Minoletti, featured on the cover of Domus in 1954. The estimate is €500,000–600,000. Fontana's ceramic works have recently seen rising market value, with notable sales including a 1948 fireplace with prancing horses for €1.15 million and a perforated ceramic sphere for over €340,000 at Christie's Milan in spring 2015. The auction also includes works by Fausto Melotti. InnAuction is a young but established auction house serving Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, and northern Italy.
Key facts
- Lucio Fontana's ceramic dolphin 'Delfino' is estimated at €500,000–600,000.
- The work was created for the pool of Villa Tagliabue in Monza, designed by Giulio Minoletti.
- The pool was featured on the cover of Domus in 1954 as Italy's first sinuous-shaped pool.
- The auction takes place on November 30 at InnAuction in Innsbruck, Austria.
- Fontana's ceramics have seen rising market value, with a 1948 fireplace selling for €1.15 million in 2015.
- A perforated ceramic sphere by Fontana sold for over €340,000 at Christie's Milan in spring 2015.
- The auction also includes works by Fausto Melotti.
- InnAuction is a young auction house active in Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, and northern Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Lucio Fontana
- Fausto Melotti
- Giulio Minoletti
Institutions
- InnAuction
- Christie's
- Domus
- Robilant+Voena
- Museo Diocesano di Milano
- Artribune
Locations
- Innsbruck
- Austria
- Monza
- Milan
- Switzerland
- Bavaria
- New York
- London