Ceramic Tile Pen Tray by Gio Ponti for Roma Ceramice, 1960s

A rare gio ponti designed brass encased ceramic tile/penholder. Manufactured by roma ceramice. In the 1960s a number of these encased tiles were presented to the personnel and dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the new bijenkorf (beehive) department store building in eindhoven. The building and its spectacular facade were designed by italian architect giò ponti who designed the buildings extensive facade using multiples of these tiles. The brass casing is inscribed with the details of the presentation. Minor signs of age only.