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.
Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte ‘Parco dei Principi’ Floor Lamp with Beige Shade
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte, floor lamp ‘Parco dei Principi’ model '1967', brass, glass, coated aluminum, bakelite, Italy, circa 1960 This elegant floor lamp by Gio Ponti is based on...
Aluminum, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Pair of ‘Micro’ Sconces, Model 2240, 1950s, Signed
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and authentic pair of ‘Micro’ sconces, model 2240, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1950s. Each sconce features double profiled glass panels: two thick, polishe...
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
Pair of Model "1963" Brass Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An iconic and rare pair of large-scale wall lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, produced around 1963. These sculptural sconces embody the refined material sensibility and moderni...
Brass
1 of 2 Dahlia Murano chandeliers by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By BD Lumica, Zero Quattro, Angelo Vittorio Mazzega, Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Two units available. "Dahlia" pendant light in the style of Max Ingrand's designs for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. This sculptural pendant light is composed of a gold and silver chro...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Green and white curved glass, enameled metal frame. 1 candelabra socket each. FREE US rew...
Metal
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 for Fontana Arte Pair of Wall Lamps Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Max Ingrand Model No. 1963 Wall Lamps for Fontana Arte Italy 1960s Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte n. 6.
Chrome
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte, Model 1944 Thick Glass Sconces 5 Pieces, Italy, 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Five (5) of Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, chiseled thick glass sconces, Italy, 1960- they are priced individually. Formidable, beautiful set of three deep-beveled oval wall lamps in...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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 with clear and satin finish and smooth cut...
Brass
A Radical MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by FRANCO RAGGI, by FONTANA ARTE, Italy 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and airy table lamp, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base in cast aluminum with integrated dimmer, 2 axes supporting 2 sheets of glass with white diffusing dec...
Metal, Chrome
Rare Pair of Table Lamps by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1955-1956, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A rare pair of table lamps designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte, 1955-1956, Milano, Italy. These specific table lamps are made of blackened cast aluminium with f...
Aluminum
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Green and white curved glass, enameled metal frame. 1 candelabra socket each. FREE US rew...
Metal
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Fontana Arte Glass Flush Mount Model 1990, Mid Century
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Large Fontana Arte Flush Mount Model 1990, circa 1960 Rare Max Ingrand semi flush mount lamp for Fontana Arte, 1960. Painted metal, brass, frosted glass, glass. It's i...
Brass, Aluminum
Model 1829 Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italy c. 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
These vintage wall lamps were designed by the renowned Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Milan, Italy, around the 1960s. The wall lamps feature a sophisticated and luxuriou...
Brass
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940 textured glass and chrome, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light, model 1940. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, chromed and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets each. FRE...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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 Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Max Ingrand Chandelier for Fontana Arte, Brass & Glass, Italian Design
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing acc...
Brass
Three Fontana Arte Wall Lights, Gianni Celada, 1980
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of three large Postmodern wall lights designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1980. Set at an angle of 45° these large wall lights (model ‚Sisten‘) are made of chromed and la...
Steel, Chrome
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
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Pair of Table Lamps in Brass & Glass, Italy 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing small pair of table lamps in brass and engraved glass by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Metal
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, chromed and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets each. FREE US rewirin...
Metal
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, brass and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rewiring upon ...
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte Scintilla Sommatoria sculptural lighting Livio Castiglioni
By Livio Castiglioni, Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sculptural hanging light designed by Livio Castiglioni in 1972. Produced by Fontana Arte. This lighting fixture consists of one base and six hanging units and one weight. Hanging u...
Steel
Fontana Arte flush mount ceiling light Model 1485, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte ceiling light model 1485 Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s Takes 4 medium base bulbs. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. Price is for 1 light. 2 lights ar...
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte Flush Mount Light, Textured Glass & Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, brass and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rewiring upon ...
Metal, Brass
"Lampira" Sconce by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti for Fontana Arte, Italy
By Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte sconce "Lampira" ( Ladybug) Designed by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti and manufactured in Italy in 1970s. Stamped "Fontana Arte" on the back. Shades can be open at dif...
Glass, Acrylic
PIETRO CHIESA - FONTANARTE - 2-light chandelier - Made in ITALY 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
Fontana Arte by Pietro Chiesa suspension ceiling light, Italy circa 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Pietro Chiesa suspension ceiling light. Designed and made in Italy in 1940s. Etched glass diffuser with a floral motif and a second diffuser in acid etched glass. Tak...
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
Max Ingrand Floor Lamp for Fontana Arte Model 2020, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An elegant floor lamp designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 2020, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cutted with chisel panels of thick Murano polished glass with ...
Brass, Metal
Monumental Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Rare 7-Light Glass Sconces, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An important and exceptionally rare pair of seven-light wall sconces by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. These striking architectural appliques perfectly embody the poe...
Metal, Brass
Rare Pair of Model 1937 Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and atmospheric pair of wall lights, model 1937, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the late 1950s — an iconic example of the designer’s refined use of glass, light, ...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand Table Lamp Brass Glass Mod. 2278, Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
An old version of the mod. 2278 for Fontana Arte, with green interior shade and flat glass diffuser. The brass has had a beautiful patina over the years. A heavy and elegant table la...
Brass
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Small Table Lamb for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Small Table Lamb for Fontana Arte Designed in 1954 by the famous French Master glassmaker and decorator Max Ingrand, this lamp was originally named 1853 a...
Metal
Floor Lamp mod. 1967, Gio Ponti, Prod. Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950's
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
This elegant floor lamp, model 1967, was designed by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte in the 1950's. It features a brass stem with joints, a crystal base, and a lacquered metal reflector. ...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Fontana Arte Sconces, Model Diamond 2762. 3 pairs available
By Fontana Arte
Located in Miami, FL
Fontana arte diamond wall lamp in aluminum 1x160w r7s tempered printed glass Diamante by FontanaArte is a wall luminaire made up of a die-cast aluminum frame. The diffuser is made o...
Aluminum
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
$1,902 / item
Fontana Arte 'Bis/Tris' Table Lamp in Brass & Glass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Fontana Arte 'Bis/Tris' table lamp in brass & glass. Designed in 1954, the 'Bis / Tris' table lamp is one of the most classic yet contemporary table lamps produced by Fontana Arte....
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Rare Pair of Large Sconces, Italy 1955
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Designed in 1955 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, this rare pair of large wall sconces exemplifies the poetic elegance and technical mastery that defined postwar Italian lighting. Ea...
Brass, Metal
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte Floor Lamp mod. 1967
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Turin, Turin
An eclectic personality, from his early days he was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design. He graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic i...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
20th Century French Pair of Beveled Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Max Ingrand
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern pair of French, Italian large wall sconces made of hand blown beveled Murano glass, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by FontanaArte in good condition...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Rare chandelier c1950
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Table lamp Daruma by Sergio Asti for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Sergio Asti, Fontana Arte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Daruma table lamp designed by Sergio Asti in 1968 for Fontana Arte. Daruma table lamp is presented in show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The rounded structure consists of ...
Opaline Glass
Italian mid-century modern table lamp 1959 Max Ingrand Fontana Arte 1950s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brass, glass and black metal table lamp 1959 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950s Table lamp model 1959 with round brass and glass lamp shade. The frame ...
Metal, Brass
1960s Tall Glass and Brass Sconce by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Elegant wall lights from the designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte.
Glass
Medium 'Pinecone' Table Lamp in Opaline Glass & Gold Metal for Fontana Arte
By Paola Navone, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' table lamp in opaline glass & gold metal for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass tech...
Metal, Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Pair of Glass and Brass Lamps, Italy, 1930's
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Fontana Arte table lamps designed by Pietro Chiesa, (1892-1948). The beveled glass column is supported by a brass plinth base, with brass molding surround on the sides. Th...
Brass
20th Century French Vintage Murano Glass Table Lamp by Max Ingrand & Fontana Art
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern French, Italian table lamp made of hand crafted lacquered metal designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte, in good condition. The sculptural desk light with a three light socket has a round painted bronze shade, particularized by a slightly smoked Murano glass insert. The lamp is supported by arched stems and sitting on a round glass base. The wires have been renewed. Minor scratches on the glass base, due to age. Wear consisting with age and use. Circa 1955 - 1960, Milan, Italy. Base: 0.5" H x 6.5" diameter Shade: 3.75" x 14.5" diameter Maurice Max-Ingrand, better known as Max Ingrand was a French artist, designer and decorator born in 1908, in Bressuire, France and passed away in 1969, in Paris. Ingrand studied in Paris at the French University École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. During this time, he was educated by the well-know French glass artists Jaques Grüber...
Metal, Bronze
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model #1088 Chandelier 1959
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
"Lampira" Sconce for Fontana Arte by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti, Italy
By Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte sconce "Lampira" ( Ladybug) Designed by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti and manufactured in Italy in 1970s. Stamped "Fontana Arte" in the back. Shade can be open at diff...
Glass, Acrylic
Fontana Arte Flush Mount Light, Textured Glass & Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, brass and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rewiring upon ...
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte Italian Midcentury Metal Glass Sconces Wall Lamps 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design sconces wall lamps or ceiling lamps ‘1940" model produced by Fontana Arte with varnished metal, chrome-plated brass, moulded glass, 1950s Italy produ...
Metal
Mongolfiera Mid Century Modern Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful Mongolfiera Model 241 Italian mid century oversized modern lamp designed by Gianna Celada for Fontana Arte with three lights and opaline glass shades on a chrome frame. T...
Chrome
Fontana Arte sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte sconces model 2434. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Green and white curved glass, enameled metal frame. 1 candelabra socket each. FREE US rewiring upon requ...
Metal
Yumi Carbon Fiber Floor Lamp by Shigeru Ban for Fontana Arte
By Shigeru Ban, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolute synthesis destined to become a new universal Classic. Essential design meets a sturdy lightweight structure in a composite of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The 170 dimmable...
Metal
Model 1485 Flush Mount by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 1485 Flush Mounts by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte (Italy, 1950s) Textured glass, brass trim, enameled off white housing. Each sconce carries four e12 socket-types. We recommen...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel