MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti in the "Mitologia" (Myth) Pattern in 22k Gold
About the Item
- Creator:Piero Fornasetti (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.38 in (9.66 mm)Diameter: 4 in (10.16 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Nantucket, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1375231185662
Piero Fornasetti
The Italian artist and illustrator 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: Nantucket, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Eight Vintage Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters in the "Vini E Liquori" PatternBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Nantucket, MAEight drinks coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 'Vini E Liquori' pattern, each depicting a different liquor bottle label in 22 karat gold.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCeramic
- MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti, Painted with Hot Air Balloons, "Palloni"By Piero FornasettiLocated in Nantucket, MASet of eight ceramic coasters by Fornasetti, in the "Pallino" pattern. Each painted with an historic hot air balloon on the front with English translat...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCeramic
- Vintage Highball Glasses by Culver, Ltd. in the 'Midas' Pattern with 22k GoldBy Culver Ltd.Located in Nantucket, MAEight vintage highball glasses by Culver, LTD. in the gold version of the 'Midas' pattern. Decorated with 22 karat gold American coins (obverse and reverse) on branches of raised tra...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
- MCM Libbey Glassware Highball Glasses in the "Marine Life" PatternBy Libbey Glass Co.Located in Nantucket, MASet of 8 Libbey glass highball glasses in the 'Marine Life' pattern having atomic design fish in 22k gold on a ground of raised translucent green 'waves'. Libbey discontinued this pa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Vintage Nautical Themed Pilsner Glasses Decorated in Blue Enamel and 22k GoldLocated in Nantucket, MAVintage nautical themed pilsner glasses with two rows of rectangles, each containing a sailboat or nautical object, in blue enamel and 22 karat ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Culver, LTD Marbleized Rocks Glasses in 22k Gold, Enameled and Frosted SurfaceBy Culver Ltd.Located in Nantucket, MASet of four Culver, LTD rocks glasses decorated with 22k gold, enamels and frosted surface in a marbleized, endpaper pattern.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGlass
- Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Coasters in Original BoxBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Atlanta, GAPiero Fornasetti "Mitologia" coasters in original box, Italy, circa 1950s. Nice to find them in their original box, however tattered. This set original...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Set of Neo-classical Gold Coasters, Mitologia PatternBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAPiero Fornasetti Ceramic Set of Neo-classical Gold Coasters, Mitologia Pattern, Mythology Pattern, Original Faux Bois Box, 1950s Dimensions: 4 1/8 inches diameter x 1/2 inch high T...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCeramic
- Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Set Neo-Classical Mythological Gold Coasters MitologiaBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAPiero Fornasetti ceramic complete set of neo-classical gold coasters, Mitologia Pattern, Mythology Pattern, 1950s Measures: Diameter 4 1/8 inches x...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCeramic
- Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Cocktail or Glass Coasters, Set of EightBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Haddonfield, NJPiero Fornasetti "Mitologia" set of 8 bar or drink coasters, circa 1970's. This stylish set of cocktail coasters were produced exclusively for the New York City department store Bonw...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Soli E Lune Sun and Moon Pattern Ceramic Coasters by Piero FornasettiBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAPiero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters, "Soli e Lune" Pattern 1970s-80s This set of eight ceramic coasters features the "Soli e Lune" (Suns and Moons) pattern by the renowned Italian d...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCeramic
- 1960s 22k Gold Shoji Sake Bottle & Glasses Set by Imperial Glass Co.Located in Saint Louis, MOGorgeous and iconic Shoji pattern Sake bottle set with matching Sake glasses made by the Imperial Glass Company in the 1960s. The only one set of its kind a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGold