Salvatore Fiume (1915-1997) - A Cavallo bassorilievo in Argento 800 raro orologio da tasca anni 70

A piece that combines art and functionality, designed by one of the great Italian masters of the twentieth century: Salvatore Fiume.
In the seventies, the prestigious SpiraleArte published the series Multipli d’Autore, designed to bring authentic works by the most important contemporary artists into people's homes. Among these, the refined silver bas-relief titled A Cavallo stands out.

Pocket watch with silver 800 relief by Salvatore Fiume – 'A Cavallo' – SpiraleArte edition for ICIM

There is a moment — as soon as you take this watch in your hand — when you realize that it is not just a simple pocket instrument, but a small poetic universe, an object capable of connecting art, time, and memory. On its face, set like an antique medallion, lives 'A Cavallo,' the silver 800 bas-relief created by Salvatore Fiume, one of Italy's most imaginative artists of the twentieth century.
The scene is clear, essential, and deeply symbolic: two nude figures, serene and solemn, sit on an archaic horse, advancing through light clouds that seem to lift them toward a mythical elsewhere.
In just a few centimeters, Fiume manages to condense a language that belongs to the great Italian figurative tradition, but he transforms it into an inner theater. His figures dialogue with Manzù's spiritual plasticity, with Arturo Martini's archaic volumetrics, with Sironi's characteristic rarefied suspension, and even with the silent enigma of the metaphysical landscapes dear to De Chirico.
It is an invisible current, a red thread that unites some of the greatest Italian sculptors of the 20th century—and here finds its intimate and portable form.
This specimen originates from a prestigious collaboration: it was created by SpiraleArte, a publisher specializing in high-quality art multiples, for a limited celebratory production intended for ICIM (Institute of Mechanical Industrial Certification). On the back, the engraved signature of Fiume coexists with the ICIM acronym in a sober and elegant composition.
Beyond its artistic importance, this object retains its original nature intact.
The watch is still functioning, a rare quality in specimens of the same era with such a dominant artistic component.
The original packaging is no longer present, but the piece is preserved in excellent condition: the silver has developed a natural, uniform, and charming patina, capable of highlighting the depth of the relief. All elements are intact, authentic, and consistent with the period.
'A Cavallo' is not just a frieze but a sculpted narrative, a symbol of journey, harmony, and myth. It is a pocket-sized sculpture, an object that exists between art and time, between artistic gesture and everyday function.
An ideal piece for discerning collectors, lovers of Italian art of the twentieth century, connoisseurs of modern sculpture, and those objects capable of uniting form, meaning, and history in a single precious gesture.

Title of the work: “A Cavallo”
Artist: Salvatore Fiume
Publisher: Spiralearte
Commission: ICIM – Limited celebratory production
Material: bas-relief in 800 silver
Company: Incisa
Operation: it is working, but it occasionally stops and restarts when touched. A little cleaning would do it good.
Conditions: Excellent, with original patina (missing the packaging).
Period: the 70s


Please read the entire advertisement carefully.
The attached photographs are an integral part of the description and must be examined carefully as they tell stories and details that words cannot fully explain.
Please note that, although they are functional, the watches are vintage objects and may require servicing. Thank you for your attention.


The Seller shares his story
International Vintage Luxury – Where the Past Becomes Elegance

Welcome to International Vintage Luxury, a place where time stands still and elegance transcends the ages. Here, every object is more than a simple collector's item: it's a story, a fragment of life, an emotion brought back to life.

Our mission is clear and passionate: to bring to light the hidden value of the past, rediscovering forgotten masterpieces, restoring their original splendor, and offering them to those who recognize timeless beauty. We carefully select what is rare, authentic, and unique. Each piece speaks of skilled hands, of precious materials, of eras that have left their mark.

In the world of vintage luxury, time does not affect: it sublimates. The quality of the workmanship, the refinement of the details, and the iconic brands make these objects valuable investments, not only financially, but also emotionally and aesthetically. Each creation embodies the charm of an era, yet speaks to the present with a distinct and captivating voice.

Our collection embraces art, design, and elegance in every form: from vintage furnishings to modern antiques, from Art Deco to contemporary expressions, right through to jewelry, accessories, and the most unexpected objects. For us, vintage isn't a trend, but a philosophy: celebrating what has stood the test of time, becoming a symbol of style and authenticity.

We collaborate with the most illustrious names in luxury and design: Cartier, Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Longines… and alongside these, works of art by 20th-century masters such as De Chirico, Vedova, Guttuso, Pomodoro, and Wolf Ferrari. These are joined by the genius of signature design: Le Corbusier, Herman Miller, Artemide, Cassina, and many others.

Every day, International Vintage Luxury is a journey. A journey through time, through lost atmospheres and rediscovered forms, between beauty and memory. Let yourself be guided through this never-ending tale, where every object is an invitation to rediscover the past with new eyes.

Discover our selection. Be enchanted. Experience timeless elegance.


Salvatore Fiume was an Italian painter and sculptor. He was born in Comiso, in the province of Ragusa, in 1915. At sixteen, he won a scholarship at the Royal Institute for Book Illustration in Urbino, where he learned printing techniques: lithography, serigraphy, etching, and wood engraving. After completing his studies, he moved to Milan, where he met and interacted with artists such as Dino Buzzati, Salvatore Quasimodo, and Raffaele Carrieri.
After a brief experience at Olivetti as the art director of the company magazine, he moved to Canzo, in the province of Como, to devote himself entirely to painting. There, he purchased and renovated an enormous 19th-century silk mill to adapt it as a studio, which today serves as the headquarters of the Salvatore Fiume Foundation.
His first solo exhibition was held at the Borromini Gallery in Milan in 1949. The exhibition was met with great critical success, so much so that Alfred H. Barr Jr., director of the MoMA, Museum of Modern Art in New York, purchased the 'City of Statues' from 1947, which is still preserved there today. In the same year, he also participated in the 'Twentieth-Century Italian Art' exhibition held at the MoMA. The following year, he was invited to the Venice Biennale where he exhibited the triptych 'Island of Statues,' which is now part of the Modern and Contemporary Art collection of the Vatican Museums.
A period of important commissions begins, including that of architect Gio Ponti in 1951 for a huge painting to be displayed in the first-class lounge of the transatlantic ship Andrea Doria, that of magazines Life and Time for a series of works depicting an imaginary history of Manhattan and New York Bay, and that of Bruno Buitoni Sr. for a cycle of ten large paintings on the theme of the Adventures, misadventures, and glories of the ancient Umbrian region, from which Salvatore Fiume's interest in Renaissance painting is evident.
Between 1962 and 1997, Salvatore Fiume embarked on a period of travels and exhibitions around the world, which greatly enriched his artistic personality.
In 1962, a traveling exhibition was organized with over a hundred paintings by the artist, which were hosted in various German museums, including those in the cities of Cologne and Regensburg.
In 1973, accompanied by his photographer friend Walter Mori, Salvatore Fiume traveled to Ethiopia, to the Babile Valley, where he painted his Islands on a group of rocks using marine colors.
In 1974, the great retrospective exhibition took place at the Royal Palace of Milan, during which Salvatore Fiume created a life-sized polystyrene replica of a portion of the painted rocks in Ethiopia, occupying almost the entire Cariatidi Hall. On the same occasion, he presented for the first time the African Mona Lisa, now housed in the Vatican Museums.
In 1993, the painter visited the places of Paul Gauguin in Polynesia and, in homage to the great French master, donated a painting to the Gauguin Museum in Papeari, Tahiti. Salvatore Fiume died in Milan in 1997.