Large Ceiling Lamp Attributed to Pietro Chiesa, Italy, 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:Fontana Arte (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Pietro Chiesa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Diameter: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945131664242
Fontana Arte
Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting fixtures, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti.
The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus — at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere.
The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass.
Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels, bold lighting pieces such as the Parola series and the Giova, a combination flower vase and table lamp. As a key incubator of modern design under Aulenti’s tenure, Fontana Arte remained true to its long-held commitment — creating objects that have never been less than daring.
Find vintage Fontana Arte lighting fixtures such as pendants, table lamps and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Rare Brass Chandelier Attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940sBy Fontana Arte, Pietro ChiesaLocated in Milan, ITBeautiful brass chandelier attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Each single brass arm blooms on the top and falls down to be joined with brass rings to the other arms. The ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Vanity Corner attributed to Pietro Chiesa, Italy, 1950sLocated in Milan, ITItalian 50s corner vanity attributed to Pietro Chiesa. Central large mirror and two adjustable side mirrors with brass lamps. Large green Nile glass tops...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Vanities
MaterialsBrass
- Brass and Crystal Ceiling Lamp by Lumi, Italy, 1970sBy LumiLocated in Milan, ITRemarkable canoe ceiling lamp by Lumi with crystal body and brass details.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Minimalist Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Two Steel Ceiling Lamps by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli, Italy, 1960sBy Martinelli Luce, Elio MartinelliLocated in Milan, ITSet of two "Calotta" ceiling lamps by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli. Steel bars folded and curved compose these beautiful pendant lamps.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Set of Two "Neverrino" Ceiling Lamps by Luciano Vistosi for Vistosi, Italy, 1970By Luciano Vistosi, VistosiLocated in Milan, ITPair of Neverrino ceiling lamps by Luciano Vistosi for Vistosi. Different sizes and same green tone glass dome revealing the amazing Murrine pattern when switched on. This design i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Cantilevered Table Lamp Attributed to Lumentform, Italy, 1970sBy Lumenform, Roberto MenghiLocated in Milan, ITCantilevered Italian 1970s table lamp. Thin metal frame tube with adjustable shade and heavy counterweight. This piece is a later homage to Libralux lamp designed by Roberto Menghi.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Chandelier attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1940sBy Fontana Arte, Pietro ChiesaLocated in Premariacco, ITElegant 1940s glass chandelier with various workmanship and floral-themed decorations. Main structure and brass edge also machined. It has no marks or labels, so given the design o...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 1940s Stunning Six-Light Pendant Attributed to Pietro ChiesaBy Pietro ChiesaLocated in Amsterdam, NHElegant 1940s pendant curved glass decorated with floral motifs. It holds six lights and is in excellent condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Pietro Chiesa Lantern, Italy, 1940sBy Pietro ChiesaLocated in Brussels, BEPietro Chiesa Lantern, Italy, 1940sCategory
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Chandelier Pendant Ceiling Disco Lamp Attributed to Pietro Chiesa, 1950sBy Pietro ChiesaLocated in Traversetolo, ITWonderful Italian Mid-Century Modern six lights chandelier or pendant ceiling lamp in disco shape attributed to Pietro Chiesa, produced in the 1950s. The structure is made of polishe...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 1940's Large Satin Glass Pendant Attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana ArtBy Fontana Arte, Pietro ChiesaLocated in Amsterdam, NHThis elegant, surprisingly large pendant light consisting of a brass frame and one unique large glass reflector. In the center 6 electrical E14 polychromed metal sockets and a brass stem. Please note, we have multiple ‘saucer’- lighting in stock.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
- Suspension lamp attributed to Pietro ChiesaBy Pietro ChiesaLocated in Lugo, ITHanging lamp. Attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1940/45 Two glass and brass Good conditions. Thank youCategory
Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass