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.
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Art Deco brass pendant light, Italy, 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Arredoluce, Stilnovo, Oscar Torlasco, Fontana Arte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Compatible with US/EU standards. LED compatible. Mid-Century and Art Deco style pendant lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. This chandelier is composed of a brass ...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Chrome
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Chandelier in Satin Crystal and Brass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, chandelier, model '2054', nickel-plated brass, satin crystal glass, Italy, circa 1960 This chandelier (c. 1960) by the esteemed French master glass wor...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare original Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1642 Beautiful 28" ceiling fixture from blue-ish polished and satin glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smo...
Brass
Set of 3 Painted Metal Suspensions, Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Set of 3 metal hanging lamps painted in dark green, yellow and red, produced by Fontana arte in the 1970s. The lamps have all been rewired and are in excellent condition. Dimension...
Metal
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic pendant light model no. 2259 designed by famous designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960. It is made of solid brass with a na...
Brass
Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This pendant light presents itself as a vertically articulated composition, defined by a measured balance between structural rigor and visual fluidity. Its proportions are slender an...
Brass
Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An iconic design pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished Murano glass with sandblasted ...
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Rare and highly sculptural chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, distinguished by its extraordinary composition of large curved glass panels, brass structure ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model #1088 Chandelier 1959
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Model 1088 chandelier with 9 dual lense sets of thick studio glass, sand blasted at the center to diffuse light and configured arround a suspended ring of nickel plated brass. D...
Nickel
Mid-Century Modern Wall/Ceiling Lamp by Veca & Fontana Arte, Italy
By Fontana Arte, VECA
Located in Palermo, IT
This stunning pair of mid-century modern flush mounts was manufactured in Italy by Veca during the 1970s. Heavily influenced by the refined aesthetic of Fontana Arte, these ceiling l...
Art Glass
Medium 'Pinecone' Suspension Lamp in Opaline Glass & Chrome for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Paola Navone
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' suspension lamp in opaline glass & chrome for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass tec...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension, Italy circa 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension. Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Two large curved acid etched glass shades mounted on a brass frame. Takes 9 candelabra bulbs. Compli...
Brass
$6,194Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Italian chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, 1940s – Sculptural Mid-Century Elegance An elegant and rare chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in the 1940s, exemplifyi...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Acid-Etched Chiseled Crystal Pendant Light Model 1748
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, rare and exquisite suspension or ceiling lights model 1748, Italy, 1950s. This iconic sculptural chandelier features a thick, beveled diff...
Brass
Model 1933 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 1933 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Manufactured in Italy, circa the 1950s. Textured glass panels meet to form a slim curved rectangle body. The gorgeous aged b...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1748, Italy, 1957. Beautiful 22" ceiling fixture from very thick profiled glass, partially wit...
Brass
Model 2220 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2220 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. A teardrop formed brass shade makes up the exterior portion of this sim...
Brass
Italian mid-century modern glass chandelier 1462 Max Ingrand Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern pink and opaline glass chandelier 1462 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950s Chandelier n 1462 with rounded diffuser composed of two parts: one in opaline...
Brass
Max Inrgand for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier Model 2338
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare chandelier or ceiling light model 2338 with five polished teardrop shaped double glass shades with partial sand-blasted centers suspended by brass s...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Art pendant light. Italy c1950
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte pendant light. Brass and acid etched glass. (A model that hasn't been copied!)
Brass
$6,720Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Ceiling Light by Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Ceiling Light by Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1930s. Unique sculptural 'Saturn' ceiling light, with an illustrative metal frame ...
Metal, Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier, 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte model 1239 elegant chandelier or suspension ceiling light with large curved polished crystal glass disc atop frosted glass diffuser with central brass or...
Brass
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte. Originally designed in 1933 by the eternally iconic Gio Ponti, the 0024 pendant light features ...
Metal, Chrome
Max Ingrand Pendant Light for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Striking pendant light model 1933 in the marvelous aquamarine glass version, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1960s. Fully original and in am...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Art Deco Fontana Arte Pendant Lamp Lantern Blue Glass Brass, Italy, 1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare, documented glass lantern by Fontana Arte, circa 1940 Stunning large blue glass lantern with etched rhombus pattern and fine brass work. This handmade piece is lovely to see ...
Brass
Pair of Pendants by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of iconic design pendants by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished Murano glass with san...
Brass
Rare Counterbalance chandelier by Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte c1954
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare counter balance light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Model 2260 Exquisite design; and quality by the Fontana Arte company. Italy 1950s All original paintwork. The light ha...
Brass
Pair Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 2211 pendants Italy c1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 221 pendant lights Dark grey glass encloses a white glass cylinder for diffused light. The drop is currently at 100cm but can easily be adjusted...
Brass
1960's Brass & Murano Glass Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Schoorl, NL
Very elegant 1960's pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, from the Micro series. The iconic double lens cut panels of thick (2cm) profiled polished Murano glass with...
Glass
Max Ingrand 1995 hanging lamp Fontana Arte 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Presenting a beautiful pendant lamp, model 1995, designed by the illustrious Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte, Italy in 1960. This exquisite piece exudes a stylish and cl...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Light Fixture, Italy, 1960's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Light fixture by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in original patina. This example is the largest known, as the ones currently on the market are 15x15. It comes out of a Lele...
Glass
PIETRO CHIESA - FONTANARTE - 2-light chandelier - Made in ITALY 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Milano, IT
PIETRO CHIESA - FONTANARTE - 1950s 2-light chandelier , composed of a glass of grosso spedite nile green color, 2 cups of murano glass green color, and stello and frame of brass and ...
Brass
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte made in Italy in the 1940s. Three exquisitely sculpted and sandblasted glass discs interact with light in contrasting manner...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier, Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Naples, IT
Rare, unique, important pendant lamp variant of mod. 1849.. The chandelier features an elegant and refined design, typical of the style of Max Ingrand. The shapes are sinuous and har...
Brass
Rare Model 2177 Chandelier by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2177 Chandelier by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1965. A rare linear chandelier comprising of five chrome cylinder spotlights and two cur...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte ceiling suspension model 1239, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte ceiling suspension model 1239 Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Takes 3 medium base bulbs. Rewired for US. Brass was beautifully restored. Overall drop i...
Metal, Brass
Italian mid-century modern chandelier by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern chandelier by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s Glass chandelier with a round base. The lampshade is composed of eighteen sheets of clear glass, shaped a...
Metal
Max ingrand Fontana Arte Brass and Glass Pendant Mod. 2409, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Den Haag, NL
Diameter 34 height 90 including the chain Beautiful Fontana Arte pendant designed by Max Ingrand featuring a thick glass screen and patinated brass mounting. Height can be easily ad...
Brass
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte Drop Pendant Lamp, Model 2259, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning Mid-century ceiling pendant light chandelier dating back to the 1960s. Model no. 2259, handcrafted by Fontana Arte in Italy and designed by the renowned Max Ingrand. This ...
Brass
Vintage Art Deco Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa, Brass & Glass, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage Art Deco Italian chandelier, ceiling light made of hand crafted brass and partially etched, hand blown smoked crystal glass, designed by Pietro Chiesa and produced by FontanaArte, in good condition. The wires have been renewed. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1930 - 1950, Milan, Italy. Pietro Chiesa was an Italian designer born in 1892, in Milan, Italy and passed away in 1948, Paris, France. Chiesa finished his apprenticeship in the studio of the furniture designer, interior decorator Giovan Battista Gianotti in Milan. Chiesa comes from an artistic family, he opened his own glass making studio, Botega di Pietro Chiesa in 1921 Milan. Chiesa concentrated mainly on designing glass, he treated glass like a valuable material. Fontana Arte is an Italian lighting and design company founded in 1931 Milan, Italy. Founded by the two well-known Italian architect and designers Giovanni Ponti...
Metal, Brass
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte Cupola Y2K style color space age
By Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fontana Arte pendant lamp called " Cupola." Original design is 1978. This modern style pendant is still producing. But this color was producing only 2000s - 2010s. Now out of produc...
Steel
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Pendant Lamp Lantern Glass Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Max Ingrand Fontana Arte pendant lamp Mod. 1995, Italy, 1960. Dimensions 7.87" x 12.6" (cone shade only) Original conic l...
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Rare and highly sculptural early chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, dating to the early 1950s. An exceptional example of Chiesa's early lighting design fo...
Metal, Brass
Model 1636 Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 1636 Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1950s. A gorgeous polished brass drop pendant featuring a rather complex design at t...
Brass
Set of three Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte pendant lights model 2259
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Lovely set of three original Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte 'Model 2259' Heavy crystal glass lenses partially satinized with brass hardware. Condition is wonderful. Brass has been p...
Brass
Pietro Chiesa Fontane Arte Style Glass & Brass Chandelier, Italy 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant mid-century pendant was designed and manufactured in Italy in the 1950s. It features a brass central rod that extends into a decorative, curved structure supporting a ...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Rare chandelier c1950
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Very rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier. Italy c1950 Twelve candelabra style arms and one downlighter with thick glass lense. Elegant and very rare.
Brass
$19,383 / item
Max Ingrand 2210 pendant lamp Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exquisite triple pendant lamp, model 2210, was designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy, 1960s. A testament to timeless elegance and exceptional craftsm...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Gio Ponti for Fontana Art Glass Gilt Brass 8-Light Chandelier
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Coimbra, PT
This original brass chandelier from the 1950s is attributed to Gio Ponti (1891-1979) and Emilio Lancia (1890-1973). Made of solid polished brass, white lacquered aluminum and 8 bevel...
Aluminum, Brass
Rare Italian Murano Cut-Glass Chandelier 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing Mid - Century Fontana Arte chandelier. Chrome frame with precious green colored Hammered cut-glass. Available an other chandelier with gold frame. Lighting: takes six sm...
Cut Glass
Fontana Arte, Chandelier, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white opaline glass chandelier designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.375” H x 22” Diameter Dimensions of Canopy: 1.7...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Brass & Opaline Glass Pendants, Max Ingrand & Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
2 Rare Italian Mid-Century Modern solid brass and mold blown white opaline glass pendants, chandeliers or lanterns by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Priced and sold individually. The ...
Brass
FONTANA ARTE ZOdIAC CHANDELIER GLASS METAL CROME 1950 ITALY
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
AMAZING DISK LAMPLIGHT WITH INCISED ZODIAC SIGNS AND CHROME METAL STRUCTURE BY FONTANA ARTE OF 1950.ITALY. in excellent state i preservation.
Glass
1960's Brass and Murano Glass Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Very elegant 1960's pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, from the Micro series. The iconic double lens cut panels of thick (2cm) profiled polished Murano glass with...
Brass
Suspension Light by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Suspension light by Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960s. Satin glass diffuser, satin nickel hardware. Custom...
Nickel
Fontana Arte Chandelier/Ceilling Light Brass Glass Metal, 1950, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte.
Brass
Medium 'Pinecone' Suspension Lamp in Opaline Glass & Gold Metal for Fontana Arte
By Paola Navone, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' suspension lamp in opaline glass & gold for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass techn...
Metal, Steel
1940's Large Satin Glass Pendant Attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Art
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Schoorl, NL
This 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.
Glass
Pair of Franceschina pendants by Umberto Riva for Fontana Arte, 1980s
By Fontana Arte, Umberto Riva
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of Franceschina pendants designed by Umberto Riva in 1989 and manufactured by Fontana Arte. The diffuser is made of satin opal blown glass and the frame is in grey aluminium wi...
Aluminum
Pair of Sisten Ceiling Lamps by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Gianni Celada
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A pair of Sisten ceiling lamps designed by Gianni Celada and produced by Fontana Arte in the 1970s. These Sisten ceiling lamps are part of the Sisten series; consisting of various w...
Metal