COMTE, Argentina
Folding Modernist screen

Circa 1930s
Oak, woven rush
Commissionedfor an important private client
165cm high x 177cm wide

Preview: Barley Mow Centre

Literature
Page 244 'The Stylemakers, Minimalism and Classic Modernism 1915-1945, Mo Amelia Tietelbaum

Founded in Buenos Aires in 1932 by Ignacio and Ricardo Pirovano with José Enrique Tívoli and Mariano Mansilla Moreno, COMTE emerged as one of Argentina’s most distinguished mid-twentieth-century design firms. The company specialized in refined furniture, interior decoration, and architectural fittings, producing bespoke furnishings for prominent private residences, luxury hotels, and institutional commissions throughout Argentina.

In 1936 COMTE secured an exclusive agreement to produce designs by the French decorator Jean-Michel Frank for the Argentine market, introducing his understated modernism to South America. Under the artistic direction of Ignacio Pirovano, the firm developed a distinctive aesthetic defined by elegant proportions, fine materials, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Among its notable commissions were interiors for the celebrated Hotel Llao Llao and various public and diplomatic buildings. Today, COMTE'S production is regarded as an important expression of modern design in Argentina, reflecting a sophisticated synthesis of European influence and local craftsmanship.