Overview
Distinctive 1970s Italian bookcase designed and manufactured by Romeo Rega, combining an architectural brass shelving structure with smoked glass shelves and a black laminate four-door sideboard.
Characterised by its bold geometric composition and sophisticated contrast of materials, this imposing piece is a striking expression of Hollywood Regency design.
Description
This impressive Romeo Rega bookcase features a monumental open shelving structure arranged above a substantial rectangular storage cabinet.
The upper section is composed of interconnected square and rectangular brass profiles, forming a carefully balanced geometric arrangement. Its distinctive configuration incorporates projecting and recessed volumes, with a prominent central square opening that becomes the visual focal point of the composition.
Smoked glass shelves are integrated at different heights within the metallic framework, creating a series of display surfaces while preserving the transparency of the structure.
The lower section consists of a black laminate sideboard with four hinged doors, each distinguished by a circular metal fitting with a rectangular central opening. A recessed metallic plinth completes the base.
Particularly noteworthy is the “Romeo Rega – Made in Italy” signature impressed directly into the brass structure, documenting the manufacturer's identity.
Design & Function
The bookcase combines open display space and concealed storage within a single architectural composition.
Its elevated shelving arrangement provides individual spaces for books, ceramics, sculptures, and decorative objects of different dimensions. The open construction allows light to pass through the structure, preventing the substantial proportions from appearing visually heavy.
The four-door lower cabinet provides practical enclosed storage, maintaining a clean and ordered appearance.
The result is a versatile furnishing that functions as both a substantial storage piece and a sculptural architectural element, particularly suitable for sophisticated living rooms, private libraries, and curated interiors.
Materials & Aesthetic
The combination of brass, smoked glass, and black laminate defines the bookcase's distinctive appearance.
The brass framework displays a varied vintage patina, with subtle iridescent reflections that introduce additional depth to its metallic surfaces.
The smoked glass shelves soften the visual impact of the structure, while the black laminate cabinet provides a solid, understated foundation.
The contrast between the warm metallic tones, dark glass, and black surfaces reflects the luxurious yet geometrically restrained character of 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency furniture.
Technical Details
Product: Romeo Rega 1970s Hollywood Regency Black Laminate, Brass & Smoked Glass Bookcase
Designer: Romeo Rega
Manufacturer: Romeo Rega, Italy
Period: 1970s
Materials: Brass, smoked glass, black laminate
Dimensions: Length: 200cm | Depth: 50cm | Height: 245cm | Depth of the shelves: 32,5cm
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.
Collectibility
This signed Romeo Rega bookcase represents a distinctive example of the designer's large-scale furniture production during the 1970s.
The combination of an elaborate geometric shelving system with a fully integrated storage cabinet gives the piece a particularly strong architectural identity.
Its impressed manufacturer's signature adds to its historical interest and provides an important identifying detail for collectors.
An appealing example for enthusiasts of Romeo Rega, Italian 1970s furniture, and Hollywood Regency design, particularly those seeking substantial statement pieces with both decorative and practical qualities.
Designer & Manufacturer
Romeo Rega was an Italian designer and furniture manufacturer whose work became particularly prominent during the 1970s.
His eponymous company, established around the turn of the decade, produced a distinctive range of furniture and lighting, including tables, seating, display cabinets, and shelving systems.
Rega's designs are closely associated with the sophisticated decorative language of the period, combining modern geometric forms with polished metals, glass, and luxurious finishes.
His furniture occupies a recognizable position within Italian Hollywood Regency design, reflecting an era in which architectural simplicity and decorative glamour were brought together in domestic interiors.
