Paolo De Poli Enamel Box – Attributed to Gio Ponti, Italy, Circa 1950
This exceptional Mid-Century lidded box is a rare and collectible work of Italian design, meticulously crafted by Paolo De Poli circa 1950 and commonly attributed to the legendary Gio Ponti. A master of enamel artistry, De Poli's collaborations with Ponti produced some of the most iconic decorative objects of the era.
The box features a sleek rectangular silhouette with a rich wood base, crowned by a luminous enamel-on-copper lid in a striking apple green marble finish—an unmistakable hallmark of Mid-Century Italian design. A sculptural blackened wood finial adds contrast and elegance, enhancing the piece's architectural presence.
Signed beneath the lid with the iconic "P de Poli – Italia" mark, this piece is not merely decorative—it is a museum-worthy artifact that embodies the innovation and refinement of postwar Italian design. Whether displayed on a desk, console, or collector's shelf, it offers a rare opportunity to own a work that bridges fine art and functional form.
 
Note: Paolo De Poli (August 1, 1905 – September 21, 1996) was an Italian enameller and painter."If we can speak of Italian art of enamel, we can thank De Poli for the road he opened and followed faithfully. We should be grateful for the example of his orthodox technique, his sureness of touch, and the esteem and admiration he has won." Gio Ponti.
Born in Padua, and after early training in drawing and embossing on metal at the art school Pietro Selvatico of Padua and in oil painting in the studio of the Trentini painters in Verona, De Poli began a career as a portrait and landscape painter.
In the 1930s, his travels and visits to art museums and archaeological sites exposed him to the ancient art of vitrified enamel. Fascinated by these experiences, he devoted himself to creative works of enamels on metal. Initially, he experimented with refined, small decorative objects of various shapes in brilliant colors. By improving his technique, he mastered the craft and reached the highest levels of innovation. In the 1940s, he collaborated with Gio Ponti to produce furniture and decorative panels. Later, their collaboration led to the creation of new design objects and animal motifs in sculptural forms. In addition to producing vases, bowls, trays, plates, cups, plaques, and door handles in enamel on copper, he also worked on large panels for decorating the interiors of ships, ocean liners, hotels, universities, public buildings, and the homes of collectors in Italy and abroad. Many works are the result of collaborations with architects-designersHis creations are exhibited in international exhibitions, including Brussels in 1935, Paris in 1937, and New York in 1939, as well as in several shows and art fairs held in Florence, Cairo, Helsinki, Monaco, London, Oslo, Stockholm, and Beirut, all part of the expression of Italian style. He exhibited his enamel works 14 times at the Venice Biennale and 10 times at the Milan Triennale. As for the modern productions of Murano glass and Faenza majolica, many of his works in enamel on copper, as wall panels and design objects, now belong to the permanent collection of important museums of decorative arts and design.
He has actively supported the cultural heritage and the arts, serving on various associations and boards. From 1960 to 1973, he served on the board of directors of the Milan Triennale. In 1970, he was decorated with the title Cavaliere del Lavoro. He died in Padua.