Mid Century Modern dish by Fornasetti (1913-1988)
About the Item
- Creator:Piero Fornasetti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.19 in (3 cm)Width: 8.47 in (21.5 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some areas of gilding around the sides have areas of wear consistent with age and use. No cracks or chips.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU985631524072
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Mid Century silver plated tray designed by Gio PontiBy Gio PontiLocated in London, GBStylish silver plated drinks tray designed by Gio ponti for Cleto Munari. Stamped to base. This elegant simple tray can accomodate 6 glasses and is ideal for Christmas festivities.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Mid Century dish by DaumBy DaumLocated in London, GBBeautiful luminescent crystal glass dish/ashtray by Daum France. The blue/green hue is reminiscent of the sea. It is unusual to find such a lovely tone. It comes complete with its D...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Mid Century Modern Crackle Glazed Ceramic Dish by Marcello FantoniBy Marcello FantoniLocated in London, GBColourful mid century, Italian ceramic dish with raised decoration of a bird in crackle glaze. Signed to the base Fantoni. We have three dishes ava...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Mid Century Modern Crackle Glazed Ceramic Dish by Marcello FantoniBy Marcello FantoniLocated in London, GBColourful Mid Century, Italian ceramic dish with raised decoration of a stork in crackle glaze. Signed to the base Fantoni. We have three dishes av...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Mid Century Modern Brass Framed Mirror in the Manner of FornasettiLocated in London, GBMirror with heavy brass frame in the manner of Fornasetti.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Vase by Atelier DieulfitLocated in London, GBCeramic stoneware vase by Atelier Dieulfit, France, signed to base. The simple abstract decoration of the vase would fit in well with a contemporary interior as would the cool grey d...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Tray by Piero Fornasetti, 1955By Piero FornasettiLocated in Berlin, DETray made of aluminum with offset-printing of birds Dimensions: H.58cm W.46cm D.1cm Design and manufacture / Piero Fornasetti Labeled 'Fornasetti'.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-century Sterling Tiffany DishBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Brooklyn, NYWe are so happy to offer this sterling silver Mid-Century Tiffany dishes. It has an oval shape and curves upwards on the ends. It stands on a pedestal (not weighted) thereby off the ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Oinochoe Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITThis Oinochoe is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. In excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, superbly decorated with the bacchante motive take from a Greek "Oinochoe" jar. Golden caption and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Trozzella Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITTrozzella Leccese - for Martini & Rossi is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, finely decorated with the illustration of the Apulian Leccese "Trozzella" vase, with the golden explicative text and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti's logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rhyton Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITRhyton is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. This is a black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing the oldest drinking vessel ever found, the Apulian rhyton. With a very detailed golden caption and title on the front of the plate. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo: "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Alambicco Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Roma, ITAlambicco per la distillazione dell'alcool is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Original title: Alambicco per la...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain