Fornasetti Porcelain
The Italian artist, illustrator and furniture maker 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.
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Creator: Fornasetti
Fornasetti Themes & Variation Porcelain Plate, Number 200
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Themes & Variation Porcelain Plate with Original White Box,
Number 200,
The Statue,
1990s
The Fornasetti porcelain plate is number 200 in the Themes & Variation series. ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n24” Porcelain, 1991, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n24” porcelain, 1991, Italy.
Category
1990s Italian Other Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Decorative Ceramic Cat Bitossi Fiorato, Gold Flowers on Turquoise
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
A coveted collector’s item as early as the 1950s, Fornasetti cats surprise with the sophisticated decorations that colour their surroundings with sheer ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 Porcelain n. 42 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Long Island, NY
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 . Porcelain n.42 ,Made in Italy .
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2010 porcelain n.43 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Long Island, NY
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2010 Porcelain n.43 . Made in Italy
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2011 Porcelain n.44 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Long Island, NY
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2011 Porcelain n.44 Italy
Category
2010s Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer porcelain plate.
By Fornasetti.
From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni)
Model no. 218.
With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Astronomici Decorative Plate
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
The Fornasetti motif of the zodiac characterises this elegant hand-decorated porcelain plate with gold accents: a true collector's item, which you can use as an ornament for table ar...
Category
2010s Italian Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Milano Set of 4 Porcelain Plates Archimboldesca Series Vegetable Head
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage set of four plates by Piero Fornasetti from the "Arcimboldesca" series is a remarkable and artistic collection that embodies the whimsical and imaginative design sensibilit...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Fornasetti Dome Plate, Cupola Galleria Di Milano Number 7 in Series
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Dome Plate,
Cupola Galleria di Milano
Number 7 in Series,
Dated 2018
Each plate in the series has a different dome of a named and numbered building on the reverse, seen from the inside and below.
Dimensions: 9 1/4 inches x 1 inch high. (23.50cm diameter x 2.54cm)
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy's oldest active shopping gallery and a major landmark of Milan in Italy. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the centre of town, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. .
These plates were originally designed and executed for building contractor Andrea Brenta, Milan, as Christmas presents...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Handmade Decorative Centrepiece Rosone Black White Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The art of the table is manifested in this hand-decorated porcelain centrepiece with gold accents: Fornasetti's unmistakable decorative style makes it a true collector's item.
Any...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate, Tema E Variazioni, Pattern Number 96
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Themes & Variations gold plate, butterfly,
Tema E Variazioni,
Pattern number 96,
Atelier Fornasetti.
A variation of Fornasetti's Tema E...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate, Tema E Variazioni, Pattern Number 34
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate,
Tema E Variazioni,
Pattern Number 34,
Atelier Fornasetti.
A variation of Fornasetti's Tema E Variazion...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Themes & Variations Porcelain Plate, Number 9, Maori Tatoos
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Themes & Variations porcelain plate,
Pattern Number 9,
Atelier Fornasetti,
1990s
The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts the face o...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #74
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate #74
The Clock,
Atelier Fornasetti
The Surreal Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts the face...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960.
Original mark on t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set 12 Porcelain Plates Adamo Black/White/Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Adamo. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
1960 Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Astronomici Plate, #7 in Series
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
1960 Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate with number 7 in the Astronomici series.
Astronomici means "Astronomics". This is a rare pattern in black and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set 12 Porcelain Plates Eva Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Eva. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
By Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The Italian artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest, 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, an enigmatic woman’s face. Fornasetti used...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set 12 Porcelain Plates Adamo Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Adamo. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti, Vintage Plate from the Series of Church Domes Cupole d'Italia
By Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Decorated porcelain
Plate number 5 from the series Cupole d’Italia: Cupola di San Lorenzo a Torino.
Each plate with a different dome of an Italian church seen from the inside named and numbered on the reverse. These plates were designed and executed for building contractor Andrea Brenta, Milan, as Christmas presents...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Italian Fornasetti Musical Instrument Themed Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful Italian musical instrument plates by Piero Fornasetti, an Italian versatile and eclectic artist, characterized by an unstoppable creative flair that made him one of the most prolific figures of the 20th century, and difficult to ascribe to a specific movement. Titled Strumenti Musicali Piccoli and made in Italy. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory.
Photographed along with and also available within our shop-
Charles Hollis Jones Glass and Lucite Dining Table
Pair of Mastercraft Brass Bamboo Dining Chairs
Imperial Glass Bamboo...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain Plates from the Musical Instruments Series by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Porcelain plates from the Musical Instruments series by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
with screen-printed and hand-painted decoration.
Produced and designed in the 1950s by Piero Fornasetti.
Present the brand of the manufacture.
This plate are very rare and in very good conditions, probably never used as plate but just to decorations for a living wall or in a kitchen furniture...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Astrolabe Plate, Number Twelve in Astrolabio Series
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate depicts an astrolabe, it is number twelve of twelve in series. A ribbon above reads "Ad Habendum Horam Ineqvalem Et Qvatvor Angvlos Celi In Die"....
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Handmade Centrepiece Tema E Variazioni n°399 White Black Burnished Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The art of the table is manifested in this hand-decorated porcelain centrepiece with gold accents: Fornasetti's unmistakable decorative style makes it a true collector's item.
Any...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic
Barnaba Fornasetti Calendar Plate for 2013 with Piero Fornasetti Self Portrait
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Barnaba Fornasetti Calendar Plate for 2013,
with Piero Fornasetti Self Portrait,
#518 of 700
The plate depicts an image of Piero Fornase...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “N.22 Piatto Calendario” Happy 1989 Porcelain, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “N 22 Piatto Calendario” happy 1989 porcelain, Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain "Recipe" Plates Mid-Century Modern Set of Three
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful hallmarked set of three Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti recipe plates are amusing and unusual. One is for stuffed crown roast or frankfurters, the other ...
Category
1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti "Nummus" Green Porcelain Plate Mid-Century Modern
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Fornasetti plate is numbered three and is from the collection of the Roman coin series. All hallmarked on the back. This is a ver...
Category
1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 20” Porcelain, 1987, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 20” porcelain, 1987, Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Milano 'Fiori' Pattern Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve, circa 1965
By Fornasetti
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An incredibly rare set of 12 large porcelain dinner plates in the 'Fiori' pattern designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti - Milano, circa 1965. There are two plates o...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “Plate n.16 Calendario “ Porcelain 1983 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “Plate n.16 Calendario “ porcelain 1983 Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “N18 Piatto Calendario” Porcelain, 1985, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “N 18 Piatto Calendario“ porcelain, 1985, Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “ N.22 Piatto Calendario “ Happy 1989 Porcelain Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “N 22 Piatto Calendario “ Happy 1989 Porcelain Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Rare Vintage Matador & Bull Porcelain Dinner Plates Set of Six
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These wonderful hard to find and hard to come by complete set of RARE wonderful bullfight black and white vintage Mid-Century Modern porcelain dinner plates are the genius work and i...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Custom Commissioned Plates by Piero Fornasetti for Fleming Joffe Ltd
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
A rare collection of 12 custom commissioned plates made by Piero Fornasetti for New York small leather goods company, Fleming Joffe Ltd. in the 196...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Vintage "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sized porcelain square vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Piero Fornasetti bowl or serving piece has all the elements of botanicals and flowers and is enti...
Category
1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 19” Porcelain, 1986, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 19” porcelain, 1986, Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.
Fornasetti porcelain are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Fornasetti porcelain, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 25 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 6 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original porcelain by Fornasetti were created in the modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider porcelain by and Piero Fornasetti. Prices for Fornasetti porcelain can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $395 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $795.
Creators Similar to Fornasetti
Questions About Fornasetti Porcelain
- What is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Fornasetti is an art design company that produces furniture and home accessories decorated by hand. Piero Fornasetti established the company in Milan, Italy, during the 1950s as his atelier. As of December 2021, his son, Barnaba Fornasetti, heads the company. You'll find a selection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- Who is Piero Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Piero Fornasetti was an Italian artist and designer born in Milan, Italy, in 1913. In 1950, he founded an atelier in the city, creating furniture and home decorations. Fornasetti died on October 9, 1988. His company, Fornasetti, continues to produce hand-decorated decor under the guidance of his son Barnaba Fornasetti. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- What style is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The style of Fornasetti is mid-century modern. The Italian artist and designer crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal library of images rendered in transfer print engravings, including birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and an enigmatic woman's face, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that range from chairs, tables and decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti art, furniture and decorative objects.
- Where can I buy Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can buy Fornasetti directly from the brand's online store. In addition, numerous brick-and-mortar retailers around the world carry Fornasetti pieces. You can also shop for the brand's furniture and home décor on multiple online platforms. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To burn a Fornasetti candle, first trim the wick to remove any soot. Then, light the candle and allow it to burn for up to three hours. Use a snuffer to extinguish the candle, as blowing out the flame can disturb the wax. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How you display Fornasetti plates is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to rest them flat on a low table or shelf, while others position them upright on plate stands. You can also thread string or twine through the two holes found on the back of every piece and display it as wall art. Find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Opera singer Natalina ‘Lina’ Cavalieri is the face that inspired Piero Fornasetti throughout his artistic career, from his plates to wallpaper and more. Lina Cavalieri was known as the most beautiful woman in the world during her lifetime from 1874-1944. It was eight years after Cavalieri’s death that Fornasetti came across her image in a magazine and was thereby inspired to replicate it repetitively. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Is Fornasetti hand painted?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, each and every Fornasetti design is hand made and hand painted. The colors are expertly applied by painters, ensuring no two items are alike. You’ll find a variety of Fornasetti designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To hang Fornasetti plates, thread a length of string through the two small holes found on the tops of their backs. Tie the string in a secure knot and then hang from a nail, screw or hook. Avoid using plate hanger hardware, as it could crack or damage the plates. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Fornasetti plates are hand-made in Italy. They continue a tradition of excellent craftsmanship that goes back to founder Piero Fornasetti, who established the atelier during the 1950s. Shop antique and modern Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What style of art is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The style of art by Fornasetti varied. His use of whimsical motifs has often led his artwork to be associated with Surrealism, while his use of repetitive imagery, like in his many prints featuring opera singer Lina Cavalieri, skewed toward Pop art. As a designer, his works reflected mid-century modern sensibilities with a playful twist. Explore a collection of Piero Fornasetti art and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, every Fornasetti porcelain figurine is handmade. In fact, the brand produces all of their home decorative items by hand at their workshop in Milan, Italy. If you see indications that a figurine came from a factory, it is likely not an authentic Fornasetti. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether or not Piero Fornasetti images are in the public domain depends on the image. The artist produced more than 11,000 works during his lifetime. Only some no longer carry a copyright and are in the public domain. Shop a range of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.