Set of Italian Brass + Burlwood Trays by Gabriella Crespi (Signed), 1970s

A rare set of Italian serving trays by Gabriella Crespi from the 1970s, bringing together two materials central to her work: richly figured wood and polished brass.

The set includes two circular trays in graduated sizes, each framed by a thick, golden brass rim. Their broad, low profiles give the pieces a substantial presence, while the simplicity of the form keeps attention on the materials themselves. Warm burlwood centers reveal dense, swirling patterns of knots and grain, creating a natural counterpoint to the smooth geometry and reflective surface of the brass.

The contrast is particularly characteristic of Crespi’s approach to objects for the home. Brass catches and shifts with the light, while the burlwood brings depth and irregularity to the center of each tray.

Each tray is individually engraved “Gabriella Crespi” along its brass edge, an important detail that distinguishes the set. Designed for serving but sculptural enough to remain on display, they work equally well on a cocktail table, bar, or console.

About Gabriella Crespi
Gabriella Crespi (1922–2017) was an Italian artist and designer whose work moved fluidly between furniture, sculpture, lighting, and decorative objects. Born in 1922 and trained in architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, Crespi began designing in the 1950s, developing a distinctive language that paired sculptural form with exceptional materials and Italian craftsmanship.

Her work often explored transformation and movement, most notably in her celebrated Plurimiseries of expandable and reconfigurable furniture. She also worked extensively in brass, bronze, steel, bamboo, and stone, creating pieces that balanced polished refinement with an organic sensibility.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Crespi gained an international following and collaborated with Maison Dior while developing collections including Lune, Kaleidoscopes, Rising Sun, and Sheherazade. In the late 1980s, she stepped away from design and spent nearly two decades in India pursuing a spiritual life before returning to Milan in 2005. Crespi later revisited several of her designs in limited editions and continued creating until shortly before her death in 2017.

Today, her work is recognized for its inventive functionality, rich materiality, and singular combination of glamour, craftsmanship, and sculptural presence.