Objects from Cleto’s atelier in Vincenza, Italy, where he worked for over five decades, up for auction on Catawiki from 17th to 26th January
Items being auctioned includes a mix of unique prototypes, Cleto’s own design and items belonging to his personal collection
Amsterdam, 16 January - This January, Catawiki invites design enthusiasts to explore the artistic world of Cleto Munari through a carefully curated auction. Live from the 17th until the 26th of January, this is the first time an auction is centred solely around a designer’s life and vision on the platform, and it offers a concrete connection to Munari’s creative essence, showcasing objects that symbolise his decades-long journey in the pursuit of beauty, originality, and functionality.
A Designer’s Inner World Made Visible
Cleto Munari, the celebrated Italian designer who once described himself as a ‘globetrotter, collector, and inventor’, has only last year, at 94 years old, downsized his atelier in Vincenza–a testament to his restless spirit. “There used to be 20 of us working there, but now it’s just a few. At my age, I’m not as active as I once was, and we no longer needed a showroom of that size,” Cleto explains. “Even so, I continue to work on projects that I find genuinely exciting.” Known for his collaborative nature, Cleto encountered Italian architect Carlo Scarpa in 1973, when he began exploring with precious metals. His work spans diverse mediums throughout the decades, from Murano glass and furniture to jewellery, watches, and carpets, synthesizing timeless design with innovation. After establishing his design company in the early 1970s, Cleto has worked with foundational names of design, such as Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, Alvaro Siza Vieira and many others.
Left to right: Cleto Munari and Ettore Sottsass, Cleto Munari and Carlo Scarpa.
Reflecting on the rapid pace of modern design, Cleto recalls a different era: “Forty or fifty years ago, if you approached designers like Caccia Dominioni, Castiglioni, or Mangiarotti with a project, they would take seven or eight months just to think it through before even beginning to sketch. Today, a designer is asked for cutlery, and within 24 hours presents three or four models. The process has lost the depth and poetry it once had.”
This philosophy–a commitment to depth, thoughtfulness, and artistry–shapes Cleto’s legacy and underpins the exclusive auction on Catawiki.
Cleto Munari’s Auction
The auction transcends the idea of possessions; it is a profound reflection of Cleto Munari’s journey as a designer, collector, and a curator of beauty. Through the objects, we’re invited to explore not just his creative output but his personal vision of design. The auction brings together prototypes he made, such as the one-of-a-kind ‘Bali’ armchair, objects that surrounded and assisted his daily life, like ‘La Rotonda’ cabinet, and designs he carefully selected from his peers as, for instance, Alessandro Mendini’s ‘Micro Macro’ vase.
Among the featured lots:
Credenza “La Rotonda”: inspired by Andrea Palladio’s architectural masterpieces, this piece transforms classical ideals into a vibrant mosaic of Plexiglas, designed by Cleto Munari. Estimate: €3,000–€3,500  | “Canoa” Murano Glass Murrine Bowl: a tribute to Carlo Scarpa, crafted with extraordinary skill and dedication to the timeless craft of Murano glassmaking, designed by Cleto Munari. Estimate: €3,500–€4,500.  |
Alessandro Mendini’s Vase “Micro Macro”: a daring experiment with iron frameworks and blown Murano glass, designed by Alessandro Mendini–one out of two prototypes ever produced. Estimate: €1,800–€2,500  | “Bali” Armchair – Prototype: A labor of passion, this piece brings humble iron rods to life through hundreds of meticulous welds and bold design, by Cleto Munari. Estimate: €1,500–€2,000  |
Commenting on the auction, Catawiki’s design expert Riccardo Forti said, “Cleto’s work is deeply personal yet universal. His life and creations are intertwined with cultural milestones and friendships with legends like Carlo Scarpa and Ettore Sottsass. This collection is not only about objects, it also speaks about our understanding of how design shapes and reflects our world and identities.”
Notes to Editors
Download high resolution images here.
ENDS
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