The Veliero shelf, designed by Franco Albini, is a masterpiece of artistic manufacturing...
Franco Albini (1905-1977) was one of the greatest Italian neo-rationalists in the field of architecture and design. His oeuvre is characterized by perfect aesthetics and impeccable care for the details. It relies on traditional forms and techniques of furniture manufacturing, using clean lines and simple shapes. His designs are characterized by a perfect relationship between the proportions, from which derive the basic principles of his aesthetics. Critics often describe his work as a conceptual bridge between the artistic manufacturing and modern technology solutions, traditional and modern, and him as the poetic rationalist.
If from his rich oeuvre one should choose the most complex and artistically most impeccable piece of furniture, that would be the fantastic Veliero (sailing ship), the shelf designed back in 1940, and available to the public just now, thanks to the prestigious Italian company Cassina and Albini foundation. This unusual shelf represents a perfect combination of static, lightness, transparency and dynamics. Because of its delicate structure it looks almost abstract. The dimensions are impressive: length of 205.5cm, width of 55.5cm and height of 264cm. It is made entirely by hand according to traditional principles, and has two finishes: natural ash and dark colored ash in limited edition of 50 pieces.
This true icon of modern design, with serial number and certificate, is available from October 2011 in Belgrade, in Modus Vivendi Enterijeri store.
