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174 - Carlo Forcolini (1947) Ran Bookcase Lacquered metal and rubb…
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Estimate €1,600 - €2,200
Sale commission
Description
Carlo Forcolini (1947) Ran Bookcase Lacquered metal and rubber Produced by Alias, Italy. Manufacturer’s label Date of creation: 1982 H204 W130 D30 cm Designed in the early 1980s, the Ran bookcase exemplifies Carlo Forcolini’s rigorous approach to industrial design at a time when Italian manufacturing was redefining the relationship between experimentation and mass production. Both an architect and a designer, Forcolini belongs to the generation that bridged the gap between late modernism and the emergence of a postmodern sensibility, prioritising technical clarity over stylistic excess. Produced by Alias, a company renowned for its collaborations with some of the most progressive designers of the late 20th century, this model reflects the manufacturer’s commitment to advanced manufacturing processes and materials research. The structure, crafted from lacquered metal, is enlivened by the discreet yet highly functional use of rubber elements, which provide stability whilst introducing a subtle tactile counterpoint to the precision of the frame. This combination exemplifies a design philosophy rooted in performance: flexible, durable and of remarkable visual precision. With its slender proportions and resolutely vertical rhythm, the Ran bookcase occupies the space architecturally, resembling a structural framework more than a conventional storage unit. Its apparent formal restraint conceals a sophisticated understanding of modular logic and load distribution, central concerns of the Italian design culture of the time. Exemplars retaining their original manufacturer’s label are particularly sought after, attesting to early production and reinforcing the object’s documentary value for collectors increasingly attentive to the radical landscape of 1980s Italian design. Both analytical and elegant, the work presented here embodies a defining moment when Italian design reaffirmed that industrial furniture could simultaneously achieve technical excellence and cultural relevance.
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About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 06/25/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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