Important and impressive Gio Ponti big conference dining table 1961-1964

big diamond dining table from the Church San Francesco al Fopponino
Via Paolo Giovio Milan 1961-1964
likely an “altar”
Unique and iconic piece
Elliptical hexagonal form of the top from the architectural plan design of the church
Diamond cut for the edges
Six brass adjustable feet
Italian walnut, brass and burnished iron
good condition, a slight stain in the top wood ( see photo)
this table is very similar for the top at the one’s realized for the Villa Planchart in Caracas by Gio Ponti in 1953 (see photo)
Measures: H. 78 cm – 252 cm x 100 cm , thickened top height 7 cm

italian design masterpiece

Together with an authenticity certificate from the Gio Ponti Archives

The church of San Francesco in Fopponino in Milan is considered the best work of a church by Gio Ponti. At the beginning he designed 6 altars for each chapels but after the change of the Concilio Ecumenico Vaticano II was decided to have only one big altar for the centrality of the Eucharist. The church was opened in 1964 at the presence of Cardinale Montini (future Pope Paolo VI). This altar was preserved for 50 years in the house of the parish priest of the church. In the last publication “GIO PONTI” ED. TASCHEN 2021 is published an exceptional photo where Ponti shows the Archibshop of Milan, the future Pope Paul VI, the plans for San Francesco D’assisi al Fopponino, Milan, 1961-1964
Literature: “PRINCIPIO DI UNA STORIA” –SERGIO DELL’ORTO-Milano 2004 ed.
“GIO PONTI” – ed Taschen 2021, pg 357 for a very similar table with a marble base ( see photo) .