Bronze bust of Dora Bassi 1970 by Alessandro Manzoni

Brown bust of Dora Bassi 1970 by Alessandro Manzoni, half-length portrait with a bow tie and a satisfied facial expression. The bronze cast features a beautiful dark patina and is mounted on a black marble cube, signed on the right corner of Bassi's coat collar, 1970. In perfect condition.

Artist Dora Bassi's (1921-2007) work, a Friulian sculptor and painter, was the subject and witness of major artistic movements of the post-war period. She enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (1939) and Venice (1941-1944), studying under Felice Carena and Giuseppe Cesetti, learning the lessons of 20th-century Italy and the plasto-constructive function of color. Immediately after the war, she joined the neorealism movement, born from the remnants of the fading New Front of Art, and later the Florence-based group “Numero,” which gathered leading figures of abstract art. In the 1960s, she opened a studio-laboratory in Udine to create sculptures and bas-reliefs from terracotta, later working with bronze, iron, and steel for various public and private clients.

Professor of sculpture at the Brera Academy (1971-1991), she participated in experimental educational renewal programs. Besides her ongoing artistic production and exhibitions in Italy and abroad, Dora Bassi also engaged in intensive research and studies on contemporary art. She wrote for magazines and catalogs, dedicating herself to promoting lesser-known artists in Italy such as Charlotte Salomon, Leonor Fini, Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jenny Holzer. Until 1991, she led the DARS group (Woman Art Research and Experimentation). Since the 1980s, her stylistic code influenced her painting and sculpture, ultimately resulting in works of great technical refinement. She passed away in Udine in 2007.

Luxury antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. There is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage items that possess a distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the creation of classic and timeless furniture. Many styles exist in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.

Several major styles characterize antique furniture, but a few stand out as most significant. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, marked by the dominant Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century, originating from the reign of Napoleon. It features significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also draws heavily from ancient architecture. Notable and interesting are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly ornate, statement pieces designed to exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively chosen to emphasize the grandeur of these works.

Today, we can observe how strongly the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a great resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and robust, often using brown stains, moldings, strong bases, and bas-reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also introduced new possibilities, such as the construction of cabinets and broadly speaking, chest-type furniture. Here, too, there was an interest in mythology and ancient times, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads – these are common sights especially in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce furniture crafted in this style, drawing inspiration from Italian or French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that in each country, the perception of furniture production varied, so each style had its own distinct character. This is especially important when searching for a luxurious antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. This is ultimately crucial for the buyer, as the market is filled with many forgeries. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product's compliance with its actual description and photos. We have at your disposal art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.