Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Piero Fornasetti (Designer),Fornasetti (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 7.09 in (18 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1969
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Rivoli, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7863238202612
Piero Fornasetti
The Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative talents of the 20th century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and — most frequently, and in some 500 variations — an enigmatic woman’s face based on that of Cavalieri. Fornasetti used transfer prints of these images, rendered in the style of engravings, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that ranged from chairs, tables and decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often Surrealist and always fun.
Fornasetti was born in Milan, the son of an accountant, and he lived his entire life in the city. He showed artistic talent as a child and enrolled at Milan’s Brera Academy of Fine Art in 1930, but was expelled after two years for consistently failing to follow his professors’ orders.
A group of Fornasetti's hand-painted silk scarves, displayed in the 1933 Triennale di Milano, caught the eye of the architect and designer Gio Ponti, who, in the 1940s, became the artist's collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking series of desks, bureaus and secretaries that pair Ponti’s signature angular forms with Fornasetti’s decorative motifs — lighthearted arrangements of flowers and birds on some pieces, austere architectural imagery on others. The two worked together on numerous commissions for interiors, though their greatest project has been lost: the first-class lounges and restaurants of the luxury ocean liner Andrea Doria, which sank in 1956.
Fornasetti furnishings occupy an unusual and compelling niche in the decorative arts: they are odd yet pack a serious punch. They act, essentially, as functional sculpture. A large Fornasetti piece such as a cabinet or a desk can change the character of an entire room; his smaller works have the aesthetic power of a vase of flowers, providing a bright and alluring decorative note. The chimerical, fish-nor-fowl nature of Fornasetti’s work may be its greatest strength. It stands on its own. Bringing the Fornasetti look into the future is Barnaba Fornasetti, who took the reins of the company after his father's death.
Find vintage Piero Fornasetti dinner plates, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Fornasetti
The Italian artist, illustrator and furniture maker Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative design talents of the 20th century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and — most frequently, and in some 500 variations — an enigmatic woman’s face based on that of the 19th-century opera singer Lina Cavalieri. Fornasetti used transfer prints of these images, rendered in the style of engravings, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that ranged from chairs, tables and desks to dinner plates, lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often surreal and always fun.
Fornasetti was born in Milan, the son of an accountant, and he lived his entire life in the city. He showed artistic talent as a child and enrolled at Milan’s Brera Academy of Fine Art in 1930, but was expelled after two years for consistently failing to follow his professors’ orders. A group of his hand-painted silk scarves, displayed in the 1933 Triennale di Milano, caught the eye of the architect and designer Gio Ponti, who, in the 1940s, became Fornasetti’s collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking a series of desks, bureaus and secretaries that pair Ponti’s signature angular forms with Fornasetti’s decorative motifs — lighthearted arrangements of flowers and birds on some pieces, austere architectural imagery on others. The two worked together on numerous commissions for interiors, though their greatest project has been lost: the first-class lounges and restaurants of the luxury ocean liner Andrea Doria, which sank in 1956.
Fornasetti furnishings occupy an unusual and compelling niche in the decorative arts: they are odd yet pack a serious punch. They act, essentially, as functional sculpture. A large Fornasetti piece such as a cabinet or a desk can change the character of an entire room; his smaller works have the aesthetic power of a vase of flowers, providing a bright and alluring decorative note. The chimerical, fish-nor-fowl nature of Fornasetti’s work may be its greatest strength. It stands on its own. Bringing the Fornasetti look into the future is Barnaba Fornasetti, who took the reins of the company after his father's death.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rivoli, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Scatola serie "Orologi" Piero Fornasetti, anni '60By Fornasetti, Piero FornasettiLocated in Rivoli, ITBellissima e rara scatola porta sigari o sigarette di Piero Fornasetti della serie "Orologi", anni '60Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal
- Large ceramic vase, Victor Cerrato, 1960sBy Victor CerratoLocated in Rivoli, ITLarge Ceramic flower pot by Victor Cerrato (1917 - 2008), Italy 1960s. Victor (Vittorio) Cerrato was both sculptor and ceramist, he opened his ceramic workshop in Turin in the early ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of Bitossi ceramic vases, 1960sBy BitossiLocated in Rivoli, ITPair of flower vases signed Bitossi. Made of glazed ceramic in shades of green-white and red-black Both signed below the baseCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Serpente floor lamp mod. by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, 1960sBy Elio Martinelli, Martinelli LuceLocated in Rivoli, ITBeautiful and iconic floor lamp mod. Serpente by elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of flower-shaped side tables, Italian production 1950sLocated in Rivoli, ITPeculiar pair of flower-shaped side tables made of wood with glass center part. Production dates back to the 1950s. They make the environment elegant with a modern touch.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Center Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Walnut Desk by Vittorio Valabrega, Italy, 1930sBy Vittorio ValabregaLocated in Rivoli, ITBeautiful wooden desk made by the designer and cabinetmaker Vittorio Valabrega. Small drawer under the top. The Fratelli Valabrega company was born in Turin (Italy) in 1884, where it distinguished itself and established itself with the production of eclectic and Art Nouveau furniture...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsNutwood
- Piero Fornasetti Rosone Charger, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Miami, FLA vintage decorative Rosone N.6 large plate or charger designed and manufactured by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression Piero Fo...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsPorcelain
- Piatto Piero Fornasetti Serie Tema E Variazioni, Italia Anni '60By Piero FornasettiLocated in Milano, ITPiatto in porcellana serie "tema e variazioni". Al verso marchio della manifattura.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of Piero Fornasetti Medaglioni Crescent Catchall Trays, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Miami, FLA set of six (6) vintage catch all crescent shaped decorative dishes designed and manufactured by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expr...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsPorcelain
- Piero Fornasetti, Mod. Re Sole Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, circa 1955By Fornasetti, Piero FornasettiLocated in Firenze, ITPiero Fornasetti, 'Re Sole' tray Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, circa 1955 Serigraphed metal. H 3.5 cm x Diameter 41 cm Bibliography: Mariuccia Ca...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsAluminum
- Bookender by Piero Fornasetti, 1950sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITBookenders is a decorative object realized by Piero Fornasetti, in 1950s. Metal structure with velvet parts, some parts damaged. 20 x 15 x 13 cm. Good conditions, some yellowing ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Decorative Baskets
MaterialsMetal
- Bookender by Piero Fornasetti, 1950sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITBookenders is a decorative object realized by Piero Fornasetti, in 1950s. Metal structure with velvet parts, some parts damaged. 20 x 15 x 13 cm. Good conditions, some yellowing ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Decorative Baskets
MaterialsMetal