Casa Ferrario, Art Nouveau residence in central Milan, Italy

Casa Ferrario is a four-level building plus an attic floor on Via Spadari, beside Casa Vanoni and opposite the Casa dell'Unione Cooperativa. Its stone structure and carving are relatively plain; the showiest decoration is the wrought-iron balconies by Alessandro Mazzucotelli, with leaves, flowers and scrolls, and delicate butterflies cut from thin curved iron sheet, now badly damaged by neglect and time. The same motifs are repeated in stone on the side body of the palace.

Architect Ernesto Pirovano designed the building between 1902 and 1904 as Milan was adopting the Liberty style for new construction. This period marked the city's shift toward modern development, with residential buildings like this reflecting the wealth and artistic values of its expanding population.

The wrought-iron balconies by Alessandro Mazzucotelli carry leaves, flowers and volutes borrowed from the Belgian Art Nouveau of Victor Horta. Look for the butterflies cut from thin curved iron sheet and fixed to the balcony bodies; they are badly damaged by neglect and time. The same motifs reappear carved in stone on the building's side section.

The building is easily located on Via Spadari in central Milan where visitors can view it from the street. The best view of the metalwork details is from the pavement level, especially during daylight when sunlight highlights the craftsmanship.

The most eye-catching decoration is the wrought-iron balconies by Alessandro Mazzucotelli, whose leaf, flower and scroll motifs draw on the Belgian Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta. Among the ironwork are delicate butterflies made from thin curved sheet iron fixed to the body, now badly damaged by neglect and time. The same decorative motifs reappear carved in stone on the building's side section.