Description

SOLD for AU $430 (May 2022). $430 Australian is significantly LESS in American $.

This listing is being sold UNDER CONSIGNMENT by a private seller in BRUNSWICK, Melbourne. This lot is part of a deceased estate. In this case buyers will be required to organise their own freight. iNVISeDGE will give buyers 3 suitable carriers for their location. (For more unusual locations only 1 or 2 freight carriers may be given.) The item can also be posted worldwide and in this case an extra AU$30 will be added to the sale-price for boxing. If boxed up, shipping will be through Australia Post at their prices (or Sendle if they’re cheaper- if you’re in Australia).

Provenance and Background Info

A lime-green magazine rack designed by Giotto Stoppino for KARTELL in the late-1960’s. This is an authentic VINTAGE Kartell piece made in Australia UNDER LICENSE back in the day. It’s produced using ABS- a type of toughened plastic used in vintage items from the 1960s and 70s. What’s interesting about these is that different colours were made in Australia compared to Italy. It’s my understanding that the LIME-GREEN colour was only made in Australia. This colour in Kartell pieces is very hard to come by- you could be waiting years to find another. It’s a very cool piece and decidedly retro. (The green colour made in Italy at the time was very different- a deep forest-green instead.) The other interesting thing about Kartell items is that Australia was the only country outside Italy to be given a license to produce these designs back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. (At this point, I have only seen vintage Kartell pieces marked with Italy or Australia. Contact me if you know of any other countries who have produced Kartell items under license.)

The shape is space-age- it was a sensation back in the day and still is. These magazine racks have been a mainstay at Kartell and are still made to this day in a slightly different shape and in different colours- some of the colours are now transparent. Vintage Kartell pieces are highly collectable and have appreciated in value over the years. I’ve seen a marked increase in prices of vintage Kartell pieces over the last 20 years- vintage Kartell pieces are a very solid investment.

Kartell was founded by Giulio Castelli and Anna Castelli Ferrieri in 1949. They began manufacturing automobile accessories and expanded into home furnishings in 1963. The home furnishings particularly from the late 1960’s / early 1970’s (which was when this design was done) became very popular and have become style icons of the era. Kartell is still in business to this day releasing heralded designs every year. Today in 2022, Kartell is stocked by SPACE Furniture in Australia, a leader in providing high-end designer items to the discerning buyer.

This Kartell piece is about 50 years old and proves that well-made items will stand the test of time. With vintage Kartell pieces like this there’s no guessing the quality you’re getting- look at it after 50 years of use! And you also get the satisfaction of knowing the piece will retain its value like no new piece ever will. There are very few better ways to invest in your home and reduce landfill.

2205 and 1904