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Designer Delfina Fendi To Curate Sotheby’s Milan Contemporary Sale

December 9, 2020 by Angelica Villa

Delfina Fendi
Courtesy Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has tapped jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez Fendi, a fourth generation heir to the Fendi fashion house to curate the the first Italian iteration of its “Contemporary Curated” series. Taking place from its Milan headquarters, the online sale comprises 114 works by established and emerging artists with items on offer as low as €400. Bidding is open from December 10-17.

Known for her surrealist-inspired designs, Fendi got her start in 2007 when she launched her namesake label Delfina Delettrez. In 2009, the Louvre’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris acquired her “Kiss a Frog” ring and “Original Sin” bracelet—making her the youngest designer represented in the museum’s permanent collection, according to Sotheby’s.

Now, the young designer and art collector is bringing her artistic edge to help launch the ‘Contemporary Curated’ auction in Milan— selecting a group of 15 works including Cesare Tacchi’s Col Telefono estimated at €30,000–40,000, Wolfgang Laib’s Reishaus estimated at €35,000–45,000 and Jasper John’s High school days estimated at €20,000–40,000. Other examples from Fendi’s pick include works by Joan Miró, Robert Rauschenberg, Lucio Fontana, Giorgio Morandi, Fausto Melotti, Fortunato Depero and Luigi Ontani.

Cesare Tacchi, Col Telefono, estimate €30,000–40,000
Courtesy Sotheby’s

The Rome-based designer takes inspiration from Roman antiquities to mid-century Italian design. Known for her references to anatomy and femininity, Sotheby’s statement on the partnership describes Fendi’s recent works as inhabiting “a more conceptual sense of the surreal– creating “phantom settings”, which give the illusion of fine jewels floating around the body.”

“I approached my edit for ‘Contemporary Curated’ as I approach my own craft and collecting, gravitating towards pieces that have an openness to them. My heart was set on choosing the work by Cesare Tacchi because I just love its soft shape and material, and I have a piece by the artist at home,” said Fendi in a statement.

Sotheby’s launched its mid-season “Contemporary Curated” sales series, which takes place now in New York and London, in 2014. Since the sale’s inception, the auction house has partnered with various creative heads representing luxury labels owned by its parent company LVMH to attract interest. Previous guest curators have included designers such as Dior Homme art director Kim Jones, Louis Vuitton art director Virgil Abloh, Erdem and Margherita Missoni.

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