Complete red handle, 50s.

The activity in this particular field of design dates back to 1946, when Paolo De Poli produced handles for the companies V.I.S and Yale & Towne of New York. A particularly large production that in 1958 will result in the exhibition at the Wildestein Gallery in New York for which, in the catalog, De Poli stated "The door must not only be a partition .. but also have its own decorative function"

De Poli, describing his work with enamel and copper, states: "I am Italian and I was born in the Venezie, where in the past one of the greatest Renaissance color schools originated. I have a natural sense of color and personal knowledge. of painting makes me appreciate, in a special way, the beauty of tone and light.For this reason, fifty years ago, I saw in the enamel the material that could give a metallic object with simple and rational forms, beauty and splendor incomparable. A small and common metal bowl became precious if coated with the magical colors of the enamel. With enamel everything becomes beautiful and its smooth, vitrified surface increases the characteristics of practicality. I started with the linear bowls and then made vases , plates, trays, boxes, small paintings, large decorated walls, furniture with large decorated surfaces, fireplaces, handles of all kinds and unique pieces for collectors. collaborated with the most famous Italian architects always creating new applications, dazzling colors. I appreciate the enamel because no other material could give me such a wide range of colors, from deep and decisive tones to the most delicate transparencies. If then the metal is chiseled or wrought, the beauty of the colors is increased by transparencies, glosses, incomparable play of light. I have a lot of faith in enamel because I have found that in every application it gives significant practical and functional advantages. I like to glaze, because the fire knows how to transfuse magical colors and suggestive effects. I think that nail polish has always given me new possibilities of application, to embellish objects and make them more responsive to modern needs. "

Taken from L ’Arte dello Smalto: Paolo De Poli, cat. anthological exhibition, Padua, 1984, p.30