- Bed. Produced by Carlo Zen, 1902
A skilful and, for its time, remarkably modern architectural design defines the production of these furnishings, where overlapping inclined planes—straight or curved—create surfaces that may be smooth, fluted, or inlaid. The architecture of the piece is further enhanced by precious materials such as figured mahogany, which beautifully highlights the inlays.
The floral inlays are of two types, both executed in maple wood with mother-of-pearl inserts, set within square sections: in one case connected by mahogany ribbons, in the other by thorny maple branches. The interiors are made of oak. At the centre of the headboard is an engraved metal plaque reading “CARLO ZEN MILANO.”
Dimensions (cm): 130 × 164 × 215
Internal measurements: 155 × 200
CODE: ANMOLE0271490
Carlo Zen (1851–1918), originally from Verona, began his career as a producer of furniture in the eclectic style with his first company, Zara e Zen, of which he soon became the sole owner. At the end of the 19th century, he started approaching the new floral style, while still maintaining a production of eclectic furnishings.
As he embraced this emerging taste, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to absorb various international trends, offering not a single personal style, but rather a wide range of proposals. At the 1902 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin, Carlo Zen furnished an entire pavilion in collaboration with the Viennese firm Haas, a manufacturer of fabrics and carpets, which would later become his supplier for textiles.
In the exhibition catalogue of Turin, second volume, plate 39, a bedroom virtually identical to the one presented here is illustrated, with the exception of what appear to be variations in the marquetry. The chromatic interplay of the two rooms, however, is identical: the dark mahogany contrasts with the light-wood inlays, creating the same refined decorative effect.
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