Claire Gallois, Design Specialist at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris, said: "This exceptional sale in Paris is an opportunity to discover the work of an extremely gifted artist who has spent his life working with glass and reinterpreting it in personal forms. His work has been exhibited in Europe but also in the United States, where his creations are collected by many lovers of glass and contemporary design."
Roberto G. Rida added: "I have spent my life acting. Art is my playground and glass is my toy. Offering my creations at auction is a turning point that will allow me to pass them on to new collectors, who will be able to benefit from them in turn."
Born in 1943 in Milan, Roberto Giulio Rida drew from an early age. His aunt, a cultured woman and artist, took him to visit museums, churches and historical monuments. A student at the Brera Academy, he proved to be gifted and on his return from his military service, he settled in Venice as an antique dealer. Close to the historic epicentre of glass production in Europe, he met the masters of Murano who taught him the glass trade for eight years.
In 1973, he returned to Milan where he specialized in the decorative arts of the twentieth century. At the same time, he began to create lighting and furniture dressed, covered or inlaid with glass and crystal. In fact, as an antique dealer, Rida has for many years amassed Italian glass elements from the 1900s to the 1950s, from the most important manufactories: Barovier & Toso, Fontana Arte, Venini and Seguso, an important manufactory in Murano. He would then polish, cut, face, and cut these elements to include them in contemporary lighting and furniture, which he designed himself. These exceptional glasses are thus given a new lease of life, combining the traditional know-how of the great Murano manufactures with the contemporary spirit of Rida's designs. References to Italian heritage and culture are omnipresent in his work and there are nods to ancient architecture and fashion.
Interior designers such as Laurence Graf or Gianni Versace were admirers of Rida's work. Peter Marino too, since he would go on to buy the Argo console at auction to exhibit it in Chanel's flagship store in London. Rida has also collaborated with Milanese artists such as Alessandro Guerriero in 2011 for the Careful bar furniture and Simone Crestani in 2020.
Among the hu=ighlights that will be offered for sale, is a large golden screen composed of a wooden structure with glass inclusions entitled Hubble. This work was created in collaboration with Simone Crestani (estimate: €20,0000-30,000).
Heracles Weekly Planner, Unique piece, Hammered brass, Murano glass and walnut, H: 177 cm; L: 65 cm; P: 50 cm. Estimate: €25,000 – 30,000
Arianna Dresser - Edition of 3, Artist's stamp, Glass and wood H: 103 cm ; L: 73 cm; P: 50,5 cm, Estimate: €20,000 – 25,000
Pair of Giro Iridescente Seguso Table Lamps, Unique pieces signed 'R.G. RIDA', Seguso brass and glass, H: 35 cm; L: 18 cm; P: 63 cm Estimate: €5,000 – 7,000
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