2015.07.01A Tribute to the Great Maestro Pierluigi Ghianda
© Pierluigi Ghianda
We hereby wish to state our deepest condolences to the Great Italian Maestro,
Peirluigi Ghianda who has passed away on June 9 2015.
As a special homage to the Great Maestro who has been defined as the “Poet of Wood�, we would like to feature his masterpieces, which are executed with the finest and rarest perfection ever.
The expert knowledge and love that he had for wood, the incomparable finesse and quality that have been realized shall all prevail beyond time and remain dear in our hearts.
PRODUCTS
-
-
-
Segnalibro?¼?1935?¼?
Bookmark
W250×H30
-
-
-
-
Scatola portapillole?¼?1935?¼?
Pillbox
W40×D25×H10
-
-
-
-
Vassoio?¼?1979?¼?
Tray
Pearwood S?¼? W300×D150×H70
M?¼? W400×D300×H70
L?¼? W500×D380×H70 Other woods S?¼? W160×D160×H35
M?¼? W260×D180×H40
L?¼? W410×D310×H70
-
-
-
-
Squadretta?¼?1918?¼?
Square Set
45° : W250×H180　30°?¼?60° : W250×H150
-
-
-
-
Calzascarpe?¼?1918?¼?
Shoe Horn
W170×D40×H10
-
-
-
-
Etagère?¼?1989?¼?
Shelf
W480×D430×H1730
-
-
-
-
Cuorcino?¼?1995?¼?
Heart
W77×D38×H15
-
-
-
-
Parola amore?¼?1959?¼?
Word AMORE
W37×D37
-
-
-
-
Portariviste pieghevole?¼?1990?¼?
Folding Rack
W750×D250×H570� W200×D250×H770
-
BIOGRAPHY
Pierluigi was born the third son of Iginio and Serafina Mercandalli. The Ghianda family, iron craftsmen in the past, has been active since 1889 in Bovisio, in the heart of Brianza.
1938
Iginio dies, his wife Serafina runs the workshop while Pierluigi and his brother Giuseppe alternate studies with periods of apprenticeship also in other workshops. They will take over in 1946, growing more and more in the production of office furniture.
1967
Following the death of his brother Joseph, Pierluigi assumes responsibility for the workshop, together with his wife Francesca. Partnership with the great designers of the time begins then. The workshop is transferred to Via Desio 53.
1972
The strong, sincere and professionally fruitful friendship with Gianfranco Frattini begins after a trip to Japan. Mixing the intransigence and creativity of the designer with the craftsmanship created such masterpieces as the Kyoto table and Portofino cabinet.
While continuing the strong relationships with designers for prototypes and objects, Pierluigi devotes an increasing part of his time to furniture making for private clients and prestigious offices. From this period are many important international experiences in Moscow, New York, Paris.
1986
From a professional relationship with the family, Dumas begins - with the series Pippa - collaboration with Hermès, made possible - in spite of differences in size - from the common and almost fanatical obsession with quality and sophistication.
Late '90s and 2000
While continuing his work on prototypes and objects for great designers, Pierluigi devotes an increasing portion of his time to prestigious furniture for private clients and offices. Many important international experiences in Moscow, New York, Paris.
2010
After several experiences in Italy and abroad, his daughter Beatrice begins to work with Pierluigi. In the Brera district, by the Consadori Art Gallery, an exhibition put on display some of the most significant milestones of his career, as if to mark a new beginning for Pierluigi Ghianda and his Workshop.
2015
Pierluigi passes away at age 88.
ANECDOTES
?¼? the Kyoto Table ?¼?
The Kyoto Table originated during a trip to Kyoto, Japan in 1974 organized by the “Delegation of Architects of the Milan Province� who, at that time, had the aim of bridging Italo- Japanese cultural exchange.
Gianfranco Frattini was equally taking part in the trip at which time the two men had an argument over artisanal creation and craftsmanship. Seeing the perfection of Japanese artisanal works, Frattini proclaimed that “no one in Italy works like this nor will they ever aim to do anything similar�.
Ghianda protested by telling Frattini that “no one in Italy ever commissioned such work but the technical levels of Italian and Japanese craftsmanship are equivalent�
Since this trip, the two men entered into a life-long friendship. On their way back from Japan, Frattini and Ghianda started working on the project and completed the Kyoto table after numerous analytical experiments.
?¼? the Pillbox ?¼?
One day when Marella Agnelli, (wife of Gianni Agnelli, CEO of Fiat Automobiles) visited Ghianda’s workshop, he saw her taking out a plastic pillbox. Ghianda thought that it was most unsuitable for a sophisticated lady such as Mrs. Agnelli to hold a plastic pillbox and decided to offer a pillbox made of wood.
Since then, the production of the pillbox resumed. It was a product which was suspended due to its complicated production process. 4-5 handmade pillboxes are produced per year
?¼? Ghianda and Japan ?¼?
Behind Maestro Ghianda’s working desk lies a miniature shrine handmade and carved by Ghianda himself. Two pairs of planes made in Japan are left behind. It was with these planes that Maestro Ghianda was carving and checking the final quality of his finished products. We are all extremely touched by the profound relationship that Maestro Ghianda had retained with the Japanese culture.
We hereby wish to state our deepest condolences to Maestro Ghianda’s family,
friends and company members. May Maestro Ghianda rest in Peace.
