“Fratelli” (Brothers) — Ebonized wood totemic sculpture by Alberto Cabiddu, 1998

Importing Art into the United States is exempt from all U.S. tariffs but please, do check

“Fratelli” (Brothers) — Ebonized wood totemic sculpture by Alberto Cabiddu, 1998

Two figures, one dialogue. “Fratelli” (“Brothers”) is a monumental totemic sculpture by the reclusive Italian artist Alberto Cabiddu, carved in 1998 and signed and dated “ALCAB ’98” on the base. Standing nearly a meter tall, the work presents two ebonized wood columns in quiet conversation — one gouged with a rhythmic, hand-tooled bark-like texture and punctuated by a pair of sculpted spheres, the other a smooth, undulating form that curves like a worn river stone. Wedged between them, a raw, unstained oak element pierced with circular voids breaks through the blackened surface, its warm grain the only note of natural color in an otherwise monochrome composition.

The piece reads as a study in fraternity and contrast: rough versus smooth, dark versus light, concealment versus exposure. Cabiddu, self-taught and largely uninterested in exhibiting his work, developed his sculptural vocabulary after settling near Vicenza in 1987, drawing on the region’s stone and woodworking traditions while studying informally alongside sculptor Agostino Gallio and ceramicist Antonio Visentin. His totemic, architectonic forms recall the carved wood assemblages of Louise Nevelson and the organic minimalism of Brâncuși, yet remain distinctly his own — built from an intuitive, private practice rather than academic training.

Only in recent years has a small body of Cabiddu’s work become available to collectors. “Fratelli” is a striking, gallery-scale example, equally at home as a freestanding sculptural statement in a contemporary interior or as an architectural anchor in a collector’s grouping of postmodern Italian design.

Dimensions: H 92 x W 25 x D 25 cm (approx. H 36.2 x W 9.8 x D 9.8 in)

Medium: Ebonized wood and natural oak Signed: “ALCAB ’98” (incised on base)

 Fratelli will be shipped insured overseas in a custom made wooden crate. Cost of transport to the US, Euro 475, is crate included.

Colors may slightly vary due to photographic lighting sources or your monitor settings. 

Wear consistent with age and use.

We ship worldwide. Request a shipping quote by e-mail to tacojoustra@vintageobjects.com mentioning the piece you are interested in.

Pick-up by appointment only.

We are a 1stDibs Platinum dealer.