Gabriella Crespi Limited Edition ‘Cubo Magico’ Coffee Table in Brass

Gabriella Crespi, limited edition 'Cubo Magico' coffee table from the 'Plurimi' series, brass, aluminum, Italy, 1970

The Cubo Magico was designed by Gabriella Crespi as part of her Plurimi series. Launched in 1970, the series takes its name as a tribute to her friend Emilio Vedova, the Venetian painter known for his Abstract Expressionist work.

The designs in this collection are characterized by functional objects with a metamorphic quality, merging practicality with poetic composition. Crespi’s exploration of volume and form allowed her to create pieces that meet everyday needs while remaining distinctive and refined. Her constructions emphasize movement and concealment, enabling unexpected transformations and multiple uses, much like a magic box.

The Cubo Magico features a cubic form with four rectangular extension leaves, each set at a different height, which can be pulled out from either side of the main body. The surface is finished in brass and aluminum, giving it a sophisticated reflective quality that interacts beautifully with light. With its extendable elements and discreet casters, the piece is both versatile and mobile. The coffee table exemplifies the refined, streamlined design principles that define the Plurimi series.

The piece bears an engraved signature reading “Gabriella Crespi” and a serial number, along with the original logo. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request.


Biography
Gabriella Crespi was born in Milan on 17 February 1922 and grew up in a dynamic and culturally rich family environment. Her father, Gabriele Pellini, was an engineer in an industrial firm, while her mother, Emma Caimi Pellini, designed jewelry for Parisian haute couture in the 1940s and 1950s.

Crespi graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, where she developed a strong foundation in practical techniques. She acquired a mastery of volume, construction, and ergonomics, while also cultivating a passion for sculpture and drawing.

Her career gained momentum in 1964 when she opened her first showroom at Palazzo Cenci in Rome, presenting her contemporary collections. Crespi did not design for mass production; instead, her oeuvre consists of signed and numbered pieces produced in limited editions for an exclusive clientele. She also created interiors for distinguished clients, including the Princess of Monaco, the Shah of Iran, and the King of Saudi Arabia, among other prominent European figures.

Crespi experimented with rare and luxurious materials, often combining natural elements such as bamboo, wood, and rattan with more rigid materials like polished brass. She described her work as “full of life,” emphasizing that this juxtaposition of materials “unites strength and flexibility.” Nature was a constant source of inspiration, imbued with symbolic meaning. As she stated, “My creations are meant to bring mankind closer to the universe.”

From the beginning of her career, Crespi was fascinated by the cosmos, drawing inspiration from celestial movement and planetary forms. Early works, particularly those inspired by the moon, reflect this enduring interest. The interplay of steel and brass in her designs evoked the shimmer of stars in the night sky.

In 1985, Crespi stepped away from her design practice to embark on a spiritual journey that would last 25 years, much of which she spent in a Himalayan retreat. She eventually returned to Milan, where she passed away in 2017.