Gaetano Pesce was of a generation of Italian architects who in the early 1960s rebelled against the industrial perfection of modernism by conceiving new furniture and objects that were at once expressive and eccentric in form; or you might say they were more like art than functionalist design.
Born in the picturesque coastal Italian city of La Spezia in 1939, Pesce was a precocious talent who could have forged a career as an artist but opted instead to go to Venice to study architecture because, as he has said, it was “the most complex of all the arts.” Rather than having new worlds opened to him at design school, however, Pesce found the rationalist curriculum oppressive in its insistence on standardization and prescribed materials and technologies.
Pesce wanted to explore the latest of both materials and technologies to create objects and buildings never before imagined, with what he called “personalities” that spoke to the issues of the day. He was keen to examine ways to diversify mass production so that each manufactured work could be distinct.
In 1964, Pesce met Cesare Cassina, of the forward-looking furniture company C&B Italia in Milan (now known as B&B Italia), for whom he would create many important designs, beginning with a collection of what he called “transformational furniture” — two chairs and a loveseat — made entirely out of high-density polyurethane foam. To make the pieces easy to ship and cost-efficient, he proposed that after being covered in a stretch jersey, they be put in a vacuum, then heat-sealed flat between vinyl sheets. Once the foam was removed from its packaging, the piece returned to its original shape — hence, the name Up for the series, which debuted in 1969.
In addition to these pieces, Pesce proposed for the collection something he referred to as an “anti-armchair,” which took the shape of a reclining fertility goddess, the iconic Donna.
Producing the piece's complex form turned out to be a technical challenge. Bayer, the foam’s manufacturer, deemed it impossible to accomplish. Pesce persisted and came up with a new procedure, demonstrating not only the designer’s key role in researching the nature and potential of new materials but also his vital importance in “doubting rules.” The Up chair and accompanying ottoman were born, and they were revolutionary in more ways than one.
In the early 1970s, Pesce began exploring one of his key concepts, the idea of the industrial originals. Employing a mold without air holes, and adding a blood-red dye to the polyurethane, he cast a bookcase that resembled a demolished wall, the rough edges of the shelves and posts resulting from fissures in the material made by trapped air.
Through his research into polyurethane, Pesce figured out a way to make a loveseat and armchair using only a simple wood frame and strong canvas covering as a mold. Since the fabric developed random folds during the injection process, the pieces were similar but not identical. Cassina named the suite of furnishings Sit Down and introduced it in 1975. By experimenting with felt soaked in polyurethane and resin, Pesce conceived I Feltri, another collection of armchairs introduced by Cassina in 1987.
Pesce went on to live a life that defied expectation and convention and along the way became one of the most seminal figures in art and design.
Find vintage Gaetano Pesce chairs, sofas, vases and more on 1stDibs.
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Clear Aqua, Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase - Clear Aqua, Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Aqua, Mauve Mate...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Grey Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase - Clear grey, matt turquoise Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear grey an...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer L Vase Soft Resin Clear And White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear and matt white. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm. Colours: clear and matt wh...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Special Vase XL Soft Resin Red Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti Special Vase - Clear aqua and coral red Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Clear aqu...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L Clear Aqua, Grey, Pastel Pink
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Aqua, Grey, Pastel Pink Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 40cm x H 24cm Colours: Cl...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa L Vase Soft Resin White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase - Matt White Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt white. Material: RESIN Vase in...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa XL Vase Soft Resin White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase - Matt white Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - Ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Matt white. Material: RESIN Vase i...
Resin
$985 / item
Nugget Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic design by Gaetano Pesce will make a singular, utterly captivating accent in a contemporary interior. A precious work of art, it belongs to the Fish Design Collection of s...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Resin Clear White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear, white. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: cl...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Light Fuchsia Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, clear light fuchsia, matt dust green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Clear...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa L Vase Soft Resin Red Pastel Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase, Clear Dark Ruby And Matt Pastel Blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Dark R...
Resin
$1,035 / item
Indian Summer Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
A strikingly singular addition to a personal art collection, this gorgeous vase is a veritable work of art of bold visual impact. Entirely crafted of soft resin, it boasts a magnific...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Yellow, Lime, Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra color vase - Clear yellow, matt lime, matt turquoise. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 3...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase XL Resin Orange Pink
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear orange, matt pastel pink. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL ...
Resin
$1,080 / item
Clear Special Large Red Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning vase belongs to the Fish Design Collection of iconic, unique pieces designed by Gaetano Pesce. Chalice shape, it is strikingly han...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase XL Resin Fuchsia Pink Lilac
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra color vase - Clear pink, clear fuchsia, clear lilac, matt pink. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - ø...
Resin
$1,080 / item
Nugget Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning vase belongs to the Fish Design Collection of iconic, unique pieces designed by Gaetano Pesce. Chalice shape, it is strikingly han...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Soft Resin Light Fuchsia Matt Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, clear light fuchsia, matt dust green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear li...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Resin Blue Orange
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, orange. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Blue, orange. Material: RESIN ...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase XL Resin Clear Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Picture showing L size. Measures: XL - ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Cle...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Resin Clear Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear and Gold. Material: RE...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special L Vase Resin Mint Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special vase - Matt Mint and Clear Light Fuchsia. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt...
Resin
$1,082 / item
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase XL Resin Grey Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, grey, yellow. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Grey, yellow. Material: RESIN Va...
Resin
Spaghetti Extracolor Extra Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
What could be more Italian than an abstract pile of spaghetti transformed into a stunning, cutting-edge design object. This soft resin vase was created...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Soft Resin Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, matt and clear red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt and clear red. Mater...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Resin Green Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, green and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: green and gold. Material: RE...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Brown Fuchsia Pink Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear brown, fuchsia, pink and matt yellow. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Blue Acid Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, acid green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Blue, acid green. Material: ...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Green Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, green and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: green and gold. Material: RESI...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Orange and Matte Pastel Pink. *All the pieces are hand-made and...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase M Resin Clear Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours...
Resin
Contemporary Blue and Clear Resin Vase from the Fish Collection by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Ibiza, Spain
The “Nugget” vase, designed by Gaetano Pesce as part of his celebrated Fish Collection, is a sculptural object crafted entirely in hand-poured resin, a signature technique of the des...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Size Large Clear and Matte White 'Indian Summer' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. ...
Resin
Meritalia Flower Vase / Orange and Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Half Ball Vase with Big Surprise Base, Meritalia, 2010
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1st edition Gaetano Pesce half ball vase for Meritalia with the big surprise base. Fantastic and rare example of Pesce’s exquisite ability with resin. The wo...
Resin, Plastic
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase XL Resin Yellow Ruby Pink Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Matt Warm Yellow, Dark Ruby, Clear Pink, Matt Fuchsia Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL...
Resin
Vase Mod. Indian Summer Designed By Gaetano Pesce, Italy
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary vase designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 and edited by Fish design. Made in fumé blue and matt turquoise resin. Unique piece. Italy Measurements: Diameter 22cm x H 36cm ...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti L Vase Soft Resin Orange Dark Lavender
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear orange, matt dark lavender. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer M Vase Soft Resin Fuchsia Ocean Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear light fuchsia and matt ocean blue. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish design collection. Meas...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
"Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Handmade in Italy by Corsi Design. *Due to the handmade nature of the piece, variati...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer L Vase Soft Resin Fuchsia Ocean Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear light fuchsia and matt ocean blue. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ...
Resin
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Green and Matte Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Clear Green and Matte Pink "Nugget" Vase, size Large in soft resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. ...
Resin
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Matte White 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Special Vase L Resin Red Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti Special Vase - Clear aqua and coral red Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear aqua,...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Grey Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase - Clear grey and matt turquoise Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear grey...
Resin
Rare Resin and Fabric Gaetano Pesce Vase for Meritalia, 2004
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Designed by maestro Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia and crafted from resin-soaked fabric draped around a center vessel. Pesce’s process captures the textile mid-gesture, creating the ill...
Fabric, Resin
Rock Vase (Large), Black and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions, hues and colours’ d...
Resin
Design Vase "Goto", Designer Gaetano Pesce, 1995
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Delft, NL
Design vase "Goto", Designer Gaetano Pesce 1995 Vase "Goto", sculpture-object in resin, designed by the Architect/Designer Gaetano Pesce, realized for the 'Caffè Florian' during the temporary exhibition during the Venice Biennale of 1995. The color is yellow, green (blue) and pink (orange) The text on the vase is in Italian "Brindiamo a Venezia", object-sculpture modeled with a mask depicting the head of the Lion of San MarCo...
Plastic
Clear Vase Extra Colour (Large), Bottle Green, Clear Pink and Matte Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Clear" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Clear vase extra colour - 2-Tone Bottle Green, Clear Pink and Matte Yellow 'Feet'. *...
Resin
Vase Mod. Indian Summer Designed By Gaetano Pesce, Italy
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary vase designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 and edited by Fish design. Made of colored soft resin. Unique piece. Italy Measurements: Diameter 22cm x H 36cm Bibliography ...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce, Amazonia L, Vase in Flexible Blue Resin, Italy, 2013
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
From the eclectic architect and designer Gaetano Pesce's humorously eponymous Fish Design series, Amazonia L is a cheeky blue vase on feet. To create the works in this series intens...
Resin
Design Vase "Goto", Designer Gaetano Pesce, 1995
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Delft, NL
Design vase "Goto", Designer Gaetano Pesce 1995 Vase "Goto", sculpture-object in resin, designed by the Architect/Designer Gaetano Pesce, realized for the 'Caffè Florian' during t...
Plastic
$1,015 / item
Rock Black and White Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
A strikingly singular addition to a personal art collection, this gorgeous vase is a veritable work of art of bold visual impact. Entirely crafted of soft resin, it boasts a magnific...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase M Resin Yellow, Lime, Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear yellow, matt lime, matt turquoise. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Pompitu I Vase L Light Ruby Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu I Vase - Clear Light Ruby And Matt Fuchsia Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Lig...
Resin
Spaghetti Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Clear Blue and Matte Lime 'Spaghetti' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce vase from the goto series 1995 Venice Bienale
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Vigevano, PV
Vase "Goto" designed and created by Gaetano Pesce for the "Temporary" exhibition of Caffè Florian, on the occasion of the Venice Biennale in 1995. The vase has the shape of the head...
Plastic
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L - Pink Red Ocean
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Antique Pink, Clear Red And Matt Ocean Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 40cm x H 2...
Resin
$436 / item
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase M Resin Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, matt and clear red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Matt and clear red. Materia...
Resin
Pompitu II Extracolor Extra Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milan, IT
This visually stunning vase resembles a highly abstract version of the human heart. It's body is separated into two textured chambers, one opaque and one transparent. Veiny, thin, da...
Resin