Egidio Casagrande Monumental Italian Brass Wall Sculpture, Borgo Valsugana, c. 1950s

The Piece

A monumental Mid-Century Modern Italian wall medallion by Egidio Casagrande, hand-worked in brass through a combination of hammering, repoussé, chasing, and pierced openwork. Measuring approximately 36.5 inches in diameter, the circular composition is organized around a deeply modeled central rosette, framed by concentric geometric bands, scrolling foliage, and a sharply articulated outer border.

The dense radial symmetry carries a distinctly Moorish and Mediterranean architectural influence, while the hand-cut openings create shifting patterns of light and shadow across the wall. A circular hanging loop on the reverse confirms that the piece was conceived as a dedicated wall sculpture rather than a serving charger later adapted for display.

History

Egidio Casagrande was an Italian sculptor and metalworker based in Borgo Valsugana, Trentino, where his workshop produced hand-hammered copper and brass decorative objects during the mid-20th century. The workshop became known for combining regional metalworking traditions with large-scale Modernist decorative design. Casagrande pieces were stamped with the workshop name and individual production or workshop numbers.  

The reverse of this medallion bears the impressed E. Casagrande, Italy, Borgo Valsugana workshop mark, together with the stamped numeral 2. The numeral is best described as a workshop, model, or production reference; its exact internal meaning has not been independently documented.

Comparable Casagrande wall medallions are usually considerably smaller, including documented examples around 19, 26, and 27 inches. At approximately 36.5 inches, this example belongs to the workshop’s monumental decorative output and closely corresponds with another large-format Casagrande medallion attributed to circa 1950.  

Product Details 

Why It Belongs in Your Home

At more than three feet across, this piece occupies the territory between decorative art and architecture. The elaborate pierced surface gives it visual density without heaviness, while the aged brass finish provides the warmth and irregularity that mass-produced wall décor desperately attempts to fake.

It is particularly suited to placement above a mantel, console, bed, or large entry wall where its scale can be read properly. The signed Italian attribution, original hanging construction, and exceptional diameter distinguish it from the smaller Casagrande plaques more commonly encountered.