***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***
Emanuele Luzzati
Stairtower Ceramic Ensemble
Set F

Items from SS STELLA SOLARIS (ex CAMBODGE)

Measurements: 93 Inches Tall by 39 Inches Wide
Ivory Colored Ceramics With Accents of Gold, Red, Turquoise and Copper
Approximately 30 Pieces
(Some Damaged)
Price: ***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***

Top of page, above, the gathering from top and bottom perspectives, respectively. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

The ensemble as seen on board SS STELLA SOLARIS, courtesy of Paolo Piccione.

Hmmmm. Here I go again, possibly in a completely erroneous direction, trying to figure out the overall theme or scenario in this magnificent work. It appears that various maidens are making sacrificial alms at an altar. Or are the altars the Oracle Of Delphi? Could this have a Trojan War theme with the prescient Cassandra pleading for her life and a fallen king in the lower right corner? It will all be known at some point, but what is clear is that this is yet another brilliant Luzzati ceramic creation.

These ensembles are from the STELLA SOLARIS five forward stairtower landings. In either corner, there was a set, ten in all, beautifully lit from recesses in the paneling. The works, like most of the Luzzati art on the ship, represent Greek mythological scenes, mainly from The Odyssey and Iliad. Of these ten magnificent ensembles, seven are currently available. In this set, there are four with noteable missing bits of background (one worse than the others) and two that are missing entirely (a plain piece on the top right and part of the story in the bottom center). There are approximately 30 pieces. This is yet another spectacular ensemble in Luzzati's inimitable style, which has been compared to, among other great masters, Picasso and Modigliani by his cadre of admirers.

The lovely STELLA SOLARIS. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1997.

Sun Line's SS STELLA SOLARIS was the final ship designed by Nino Zoncada, the underrated longtime collaborator of Gio Ponti. Zoncada's ships were among the most beautifully decorated examples of their era. Whether it be the dining room staircase of the refitted CONTE GRANDE, the elliptical Ambra Lounge on the EUGENIO C, or the plushly modern OCEANIC, his work was elegant, understated, chic, and "homey". No exception to the high standards of Zoncada, STELLA SOLARIS was among the most popular cruise ships of her time. She boasted spacious cabins, large airy public rooms with high ceilings, and artwork by Luzzati depicting ancient Greek and Minoan life and legend.

From top to bottom: F1, F3, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10,F11, F12 and F13. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

If you've already read Luzzati's mini bio here, please jump down to the next paragraph. Emanuele Luzzati was born in Genoa in 1921. He studied at L'Ecôle Des Belles Artes in Lausanne, Switzerland, obtaining his diploma in 1944. His artististry would span a wide gamut of media in the ensuing decades from ceramics, painting, sculpture, children's books, and even animated film features (his collaborations with Guilio Gianni received two Oscar nominations). Luzzati was a first choice among a distinguished list of artists whose work would be displayed on the Italian ships of state. He created ceramic panels, paintings, tapestries, and sculpture for the most famous designers of the day, from Gio Ponti to Gustavo Pulitzer Finale and Nino Zoncada. The ships which carried his work include: CONTE BIANCAMANO, CONTE GRANDE, ANDREA DORIA, FEDERICO C, HOMERIC (Home Lines), GRIPSHOLM (1957), VICTORIA (Incres), EUGENIO C, OCEANIC (Home Lines), LEONARDO DA VINCI, STELLA OCEANIS, AUSONIA (Adriatica), STELLA SOLARIS, and scores of others. Mr. Luzzati currently lives in Genoa where there is a gallery and museum dedicated to his works.

From top to bottom: F14, F15, F16, F18, F19, F20, F21, F22, F23, and F24. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

The pieces, themselves, were created in relatively complex shapes, so please keep that in mind when viewing them, as it may appear that many of the intact ones are missing elements, that, indeed, they are not. Each of the 30 or so components is a work of art unto itself. There is a light patina of color on some. You will see traces of red, gold, copper, and even some turquoise if you look closely at each image.

From top to bottom: F25, F26, F27, F28, F29, F30, F31, F32, and F33. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

From top to bottom, a selection of damaged pieces: F5, F17, and F31a. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

Mr. Luzzatis ceramics, bas-reliefs, and sculptures are amongst his most sought after creations