Emanuele Pantanella (1939-2014), an Italian designer, created this sumptuous picture frame circa 1980. The rare piece boasts a solid, tropical-wood carved construction with a high-gloss, polished finish in a minimalist, geometric shape. Emanuele Pantanella's designs are modern-day Objects of Vertu, a blend of extreme luxury and pared-down simplicity inspired by Pantanella's Mediterranean heritage. Pantanella lived and worked in Rome, using natural materials that have delighted his compatriots for centuries: wood, marble, and precious and semi-precious stones. The frame is stamped at the back with the designer's studio stamp and marked 'Made in Italy'.
 
Reference: Emanuele Pantanella (1939-2014) was a Roman artist who remained one of Italy's best-kept secrets despite his works and creations being present in some of the most prestigious private collections and museums worldwide. Born into a family of grain-producing industrialists, he studied political science and worked in the family business. He studied outside office hours, following the evolution of Italian design and experimenting with carving precious wood and making luxury objects. When he retired, he devoted himself to what he most loved and established his design studio near Piazza Navona in Rome. Cosmopolitan and a bon vivant, he traveled extensively worldwide and particularly admired the ancient Greek and Cycladic civilizations.
The last picture shows the designer at his desk with some of his creations.