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A rare example of Italian mid-century design, the ‘Altair’ fireplace tools by Ico Parisi for Stildomus transform a functional domestic accessory into a sculptural statement.
Designed during a period of extraordinary creativity in Italian design, the set reflects Parisi’s distinctive approach to form, material and craftsmanship. Best known for his furniture and interiors, Parisi brought an architectural sensibility to even the smallest objects, balancing practical purpose with an elegant, often experimental aesthetic.
The ‘Altair’ set embodies the spirit of 1950s and 1960s Italian modernism, when everyday objects were increasingly considered integral to the overall design of the home.
Ico Parisi (1916–1996) was one of the most inventive figures in post-war Italian design. Working across architecture, furniture and interior design, he developed a highly individual style that combined modernist principles with a flair for sculptural expression. His collaborations with Italian manufacturers helped define an era in which design became both an art form and a way of life.
The ‘Altair’ fireplace tools are a compelling example of Parisi’s ability to elevate the everyday. Both practical and decorative, they capture the understated sophistication and enduring appeal of Italian mid-century design.
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John ffrench was an instrumental figure in the design industry in Ireland and a distinguished pioneer of Irish studio pottery.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
