Quattro quarti (model 700) elements | Rodolfo Bonetto | Bernini, Italy | 1969

Rodolfo Bonetto
Bernini, Italy, 1969

Rodolfo Bonetto was previously featured on this blog with the “Portariviste” designed for Bilumen in 1969.

The quattro quarti, in English “four quarters,” are four identical elements made of injection molded ABS plastic. It was originally produced by Bernini. I’ve seen the table in white, orange, and red. If you know of other colors or have a picture, please let me know.

The white version is visible in table form in the background on the cruise ship at the end of “Diamonds are Forever” (1971). Without a doubt, that movie showcases the some of the best furniture of the era. The white version is also shown on page 64 of L'Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 – 1973.

The imprint, on the underside of each element (orange top, red bottom).

The elements can be arranged adjacent to each other into a low table, shown above,. Set up in this configuration it is 40 inches in diameter and 11.75 inches tall.

It can also be set up in other ways. Below is the quattro quarti in a 3 tall shelving configuration with extra element and a 4 tall shelving configuration. It is a versatile piece, and elements can be added or subtracted at will. Small clips, imprinted with the Bernini logo, are used to hold the sections together.

Left, Image source: Retrostudio (the Netherlands). Item was for sale (now sold) at 390€ = $570. Retrostudio has a lot of other plastic items for sale at their site. Right, my Quattro quarti as shelves, housing a variety of black plastic items.

The Quattro quarti was re-issued by Italy's B-Line as “4/4.” It is made from injection molded ABS like the original in colors orange, red, white, and translucent violet. It is still available, gnr8 has it for $699. Since I don’t have one, I can’t show you the imprint but if I find it, I’ll post.

Left, the clips for the Bernini version are imprinted with the Bernini logo. Right, Image source, the clips for the B-Line version are imprinted 4|4 with the second 4 inverted.

Above, schematics from the B-Line product data sheet for the 4/4. This information indicates which colors are available from B-Line, but apparently yellow can be had somewhere.

Yellow Quattro quarti, promotional image.

Selected Bibliography

Philippe Decelle & Diane Hennebert & Pierre Loze, L'Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 - 1973, Edition Fondation pour l'architecture, 1994, p.64.

Reference

Anonymous, (2009). 4/4 Product data sheet. Retrieved from http://www.b-line.it/pdf/44_product_data_sheet.pdf

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