Magnificent and monumental brutalist bed titled Aurora, created by the great master sculptor and furniture maker Luciano Frigerio for his company Frigerio di Desio in 1970, and part of the "Ultrabronzo 99" collection. Ultrabronzo 99 is an extremely limited series of 99 multiples, consisting of bed headboards produced between 1960 and 1970 through bronze castings and solid brass blocks by Frigerio di Desio, making this collection exceptionally rare. The bed is complete and composed of a textured wrought-iron arched structure supporting a majestic brutalist high-relief sculpture cast in brass using the lost-wax technique, an object of extraordinary artistic and technical mastery, fully comparable to a standalone sculpture. Between the 1960s and 1980s, Frigerio was the furniture producer closest to art and sculpture rather than to the rationalism and minimalism that characterized much of the design of the period, distinguishing himself through the creation of highly artistic and technically refined limited-edition pieces. This bed is a perfect example of that philosophy: furniture becoming sculpture, one of only 99 existing examples. It is presented in excellent condition, as shown in the photographs, with a beautiful original patina developed over more than 50 years. The bed is sold with original paper authentication issued by the heirs of Luciano Frigerio.
Product Name: Aurora frame bed by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio 1970
Designer: Luciano Frigerio
Year of Design: 1970
Style: Brutalist, sculptural
Primary Materials: Bronze casting, solid brass blocks, textured wrought iron
Distinctive Design: Arched wrought-iron structure supporting a brutalist high-relief sculpture in lost-wax cast brass, executed with exceptional artistic and technical mastery
Dimensions: Standard mattress size 160 × 190 cm | Headboard height 109 cm – headboard width 187 cm | Side rails length 196 cm | Footboard height 33 cm – footboard width 175 cm
Comfort: Solid supporting structure with a sculptural headboard that adds strong character and scenic presence
Typical Use: Monumental double bed with strong aesthetic impact, ideal for exclusive interiors and design collectors
Design Icon: Part of the limited "Ultrabronzo 99" series, representing the fusion of art and furniture and emphasizing the sculptural value of the object
Versatility: Perfect for sophisticated interiors, private collections and luxury environments
Current Condition: Excellent condition with a beautiful original patina that enhances its age and authenticity
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchasing.
Luciano Frigerio, born in Desio in 1928, left an indelible mark on the world of design and furniture production, inheriting a family tradition rooted in high-end cabinetmaking. His early education, completed with a degree in accounting at Collegio Pio XI, was enriched by a deep passion for furniture design and musical composition. The socio-economic context of Brianza in the 1960s offered significant entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of fine furniture, which Frigerio skillfully embraced. His exposure to renowned workshops and encounters with key figures such as Gio Ponti and Franco Albini inspired the transformation of the family business into a company with an international outlook. In 1973, Frigerio was awarded the title of Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana, in recognition of his dedication to high craftsmanship.
The defining element of his career emerged with the realization of his vision of furniture as a unique work of art. Supported by a team of skilled technicians, Frigerio created solid wood “sculptural furniture” and bronze-cast “sculptural beds,” offering a radical alternative to the industrial production of the time. These limited and numbered works embody artisanal excellence and the fusion of noble materials, positioning themselves as true works of art within the design landscape. Collaborations with renowned architects and designers, including Franco Albini, Sergio Asti and Paolo Portoghesi, further consolidated Frigerio’s position in the design world. His belief that architects could design unique pieces for high-level craftsmanship guided the company’s philosophy, characterized by the production of signed and numbered objects, each one-of-a-kind.
Between the 1970s and 1990s, the company expanded its presence with ten showrooms in major Italian cities. Recognition of his contribution to design culminated in 1989 with his appointment as Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Frigerio’s works adorn important galleries in Italy and abroad and have received awards at major events such as the Salone Internazionale del Mobile Italiano and Abitare il Tempo. Permanent exhibitions in Milan, including Galleria del Sagrato and the “Art Gallery” on Via Montenapoleone, testify to his lasting and recognized presence at the heart of the Milanese art scene. His legacy lives on through exclusive works that celebrate the meeting of functionality, aesthetics and artisanal mastery in furniture and art, continuing to influence contemporary design and remaining a benchmark for innovation and excellence.