Wall shelf, black plastic, by A. Mendini, Italy, 1970s.
2 013 PLN
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unique
ABOUT PRODUCTID 15717
This wall shelf, designed by Allesandro Mendini for Vanini in the 1970s, is a quintessential expression of Italian postmodernism and the Radical Design movement from the decade’s end. The shelf is crafted entirely from molded plastic in a deep, uniform matte black—there is no gloss or decorative detailing, only an even surface and a single color. Its shape is distinctly elongated and asymmetrically triangular, with one end tapering sharply and the other squared off for wall mounting. The surface is smooth, the edges are crisp, and all joints are virtually invisible apart from two subtle mounting holes. The aesthetic is resolutely minimal, with no evident signs of damage or significant restoration—only minute, hardly perceptible traces of use consistent with its age. Condition: excellent, near original, preserving the object’s full collectible value. The form of this shelf reads as a chronicle of the 1970s, a period in which Italian design sought new meaning between function and artistic gesture. Its consciously geometric austerity—sharply cut plastic, pure lines, and a refusal of superfluous detail—invokes the bold spirit of experimentation that defined the era. The object seems to say: “Function suffices; the imagination does the rest.” The matte finish absorbs light, lending the surface a shadowed subtlety rather than reflection—the shelf slowly reveals itself, holding tension between sculptural clarity and technological discipline. This model may be paired with other postmodern or Radical Design furnishings: lacquered consoles, minimalist steel-legged sofas, or Memphis-style geometric cabinets. It will fit effectively within pared-back color palettes, particularly against raw concrete walls or mid-century modern tonal
DIMENSION
Height14 cm
Depth19 cm
Width60 cm
Dimension details
Width60 cm
Height14 cm
Depth19 cm
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23.02
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