Rare 1960s Fish Pesci Appetizer or Hors D'oeuvre Tray by Piero Fornasetti
About the Item
- Creator:Piero Fornasetti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.19 in (3 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Slightly faded.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4787224012862
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Tray-Top Table By Piero FornasettiBy FornasettiLocated in London, LondonTray table By Fornasetti Milano Lithographically decorated Enamelled steel Flower and bow images Folding black stand Tray and stand with Fornasetti labels Italy ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Calendar Plate from 1977 by Piero FornasettiBy FornasettiLocated in London, LondonCeramic plate By Piero Fornasetti For Rosenthal Piatto calendario of 1977.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Dinner Plates
MaterialsCeramic
- 1960s Italian Mirror by Santambrogio & De BertiBy Santambrogio & De BertiLocated in London, LondonWall mirror Attributed to Santambrogio & De Berti Black metal frame Brass details Italy 1960Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1960s Danish Orange Glass Pendant by HolmegaardBy HolmegaardLocated in London, LondonOrange glass pendant By Holmegaard Stamped made in Denmark on inner cork stopper Teak top Denmark 1960s.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
- 1960s Murano Glass Wall Light by La MurrinaBy La MurrinaLocated in London, LondonWall light By La Murrina Murano glass Metal back plate Italy 1960s/1970s.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Saint Matthew Ceramic Plate by FornasettiBy FornasettiLocated in London, LondonCeramic plate By Fornasetti Gilt and monochrome printed Italy 1970s.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Dinner Plates
MaterialsCeramic
- 22-Karat Gold Chinoiserie Themed Hors d'oeuvre Platter, circa 1960sBy Culver Ltd.Located in Saint Louis, MOVintage and with such a beautifully delicate Chinoiserie pattern, this Hors d'oeuvre platter features a 22-karat gold plated rim. Up your entertaining with this beautiful and unique ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Platters and Serveware
MaterialsGold
- Piero Fornasetti Attributed Pistol Barware Metal Serving Tray, 1960sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage Pistol And Gun Tray Attributed to Piero Fornasetti, 1960s. This is a great studio Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti style Pistol Barware Metal Serving Tray. Very decorative Piero Fornasetti's Iconic square enameled metal tray featuring antique pistols, guns, and gunpowder pouches illustrations. The underside has a printed wood effect. Vintage Italian Piero Fornasetti Pistol...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsMetal
- Piero Fornasetti Studio, Pistol Barware Metal Serving Tray, 1960sBy Fornasetti, Piero FornasettiLocated in Atlanta, GAThis is a great studio Fornasetti pistol tray from the 1960s. The design is attributed to Piero Fornasetti, Italy. The stylishly decorative enamel square metal tray features a quirky and cool print of...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsMetal, Enamel
- Rare Piero Fornasetti Tabby Cat Tray, 1950sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Munich, DEA fabulous light-colored and black version of the tromp l’oeil Tabby cat designed by Piero Fornasetti. Originally designed and produced in the mid-1950s as per the Fornasetti catalog...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- Matteo Thun Memphis Milano Hors d'oeuvre SetBy Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, Matteo ThunLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLA Memphis style porcelain tray set for hors d'oeuvres, designed by Matteo Thun in 1982 for the Memphis group. The set comprises the 'Manitoba' tray, 'Michigan' oil holder, 'Erie' sal...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain