Created in 1956, Diavolo is a rare collaboration between architect and designer Gio Ponti and master enamellist Paolo De Poli, one of the most important artistic partnerships in post-war Italian design. Executed in hammered copper with richly textured polychrome enamels, the work exemplifies the playful and imaginative visual language that emerged from Ponti's exploration of mythological and fantastical subjects during the 1950s.
The mask's simplified facial features and elongated horns reveal Ponti's ability to distill complex forms into expressive, almost childlike silhouettes. While conceived as a decorative object, Diavolo transcends functional design and enters the realm of sculpture, demonstrating the architect's lifelong interest in merging art, craftsmanship, and everyday life.
Paolo De Poli's virtuoso enamel technique gives the surface remarkable depth and luminosity, transforming the copper support into a vibrant painterly field. Produced in limited numbers and rarely appearing on the market, these enamel works occupy a unique position between Italian modernist design, decorative arts, and collectible sculpture.
Today, collaborations between Ponti and De Poli are increasingly recognized as key examples of mid-century Italian design, reflecting a period in which traditional artisanal techniques were reinterpreted through a distinctly modern sensibility.