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.
Brass and Glass Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1950s, Italy
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Brass and Glass Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1950s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with 3x E14 light bulbs. Wired and suitable...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Chandelier Suspension Light Mod. 1088 Glass Brass, 1959
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare 26.4" suspension lamp Mod. 1088, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Milano circa 1959 Early vintage original chandelier with 9 dual lense sets of thick studio glass, sand blasted at...
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
Mid-Century wall mirror with gold glass frame Fontana Arte for Veca
By Fontana Arte, VECA
Located in Palermo, IT
Glass with gold-colored side edge Elegant wall mirror made by Fontana Arte for Veca, traceable to Italian production of the mid-20th century. The mirror features a refined, slightl...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Gae Aulenti Tavolo Con Ruote Low Glass Coffee Table on Casters for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Gae Aulenti, this low coffee table consists of a tempered glass top supported by four black industrial wheels and was produced by Fontana Arte and imported by Luminaire. ...
Steel
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, 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
Pair of 'Canna Fiorita' Table Lamps by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Roberto Menghi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 'Canna Fiorita' table lamps by Piero Castiglioni and Roberto Menghi for Fontana Arte, produced in Italy in the early 1980s, embodies the experimental spirit of late-Mode...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Chandelier Suspension Light Mod. 2097 Glass Brass, 1959
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Chandelier Suspension Light Mod. 2097 Glass Brass, 1955 The chandelier model 2097 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte exemplifies the designer’s refined ideas o...
Brass
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, 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
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
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
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte, Model 1944 Thick Glass Sconces 5 Pieces, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Rare Single Sconce by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant wall light designed by Max Ingrand exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to geometry, proportion, and material. The fixture features a spherical screen in frosted ...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Pendant Lamps Glass Brass Mod. 1995, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Max Ingrand Fontana Arte pendant lamp Mod. 1995, Italy, 1960. Dimensions 7.87" x 12.6" (measurements cone shade only) overall he...
Brass
Fontana Arte, Side Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass side table designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Minor scuffing to legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.7"H x 22.5"W x 18.5"D All items s...
Glass, Walnut
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
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
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
Floor Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Floor lamp designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1933 and reissued by Fontana Arte in the 1960s. With a brass structure and two linen panels, it emits a warm and balanced light. Its vertical,...
Brass
Max Ingrad For Fontana Arte Drop Pendant Lamp, Model 2259, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Vase mod. Cartoccio 30s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Turin, Turin
After an apprenticeship with the glassmaker Giannotti Pietro Chiesa opened his own glass workshop in 1921. In the early 1920s he participated in the Monza Biennale, the Venice Bienna...
Glass
Fontana Arte Orange Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958. We have the same model with a smokey frame available also. Beautiful mirror with an anomic (non-geometrical or organic) orange...
Brass
Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Mod. 0836 Brass Glass, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in München, BY
Stunning Pietro Chiesa desk lamp manufactured by Fontana Arte type 0836, Italy. Made from Fontana Arte's signature green glass base, a brass frame and a lever adjustable white opali...
Brass
Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte ‘Parco dei Principi’ Floor Lamp with Beige Shade
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
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 Oval Light Peach and Gray Glass Framed Mirror for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Max Ingrand Model 2046 Oval Light Peach and Gray Glass Framed Mirror for Fontana Arte. Reference: Edoardo Paoli, Quaderni di Vitrum No.8, specchiere e specchi, p. 115 Quader...
Chrome
Fontana Arte sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, 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
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wooden and Crystal Mirror
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Some notes about the author Max Ingrand: a famous French master glass worker and decorator, he was artistic director of FontanaArte for one decade, starting from 1954. During that ti...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Max Ingrand per Fontana Arte Plafoniera a sospensione Modello 1748
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Max Ingrand per Fontana Arte è una squisita sospensione o plafoniera modello 1648 composta da uno spesso diffusore in cristallo acidato smussato di forma irregolare e curvilinea con ...
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 wit...
Brass
Mod. 1938 wall sconces produced by Fontana Arte 1968
By Fontana Arte
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare pair of wall lamps model 1938 produced by Fontana Arte in 1968. Brass frame, molded glass screens, 2 light points. In 1933, a department specializing in modern furniture was cr...
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Mirrored Glass Picture Frame by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A perfectly preserved mirrored glass rectangular picture frame designed and manufactured by Fontana Arte, one of the leading manufacturers of Mid-Century Modern design in Italy. The ...
Cut Glass, Mirror
Pair of Pendants by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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 Max Inrgand for Fontana Arte Chandelier Model 2338
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
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 Arte model 1829 pair of Italian wall sconces 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
These vintage wall lamps were designed by the famous Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Milan, Italy, around the 1960s. The wall sconces feature a sophisticated and luxurio...
Aluminum, Brass
Fontana Arte flush mount ceiling light Model 1485, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, 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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte mirror. Rare.
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare large size wall mirror with brass frame by Fontana Arte. Brass has nice patina Mirror plate has very minimal signs of age.
Brass
$19,550 / 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
Max ingrand coffee tables - mid-century art fountain 1958's
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand coppia tavolini bassi Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s-1960s wooden base and interlocking shaped crystal top. Side tables feature circular glass tops beveled, characterized b...
Crystal
Max Ingrand '2254' wall sconce for Fontana Arte in crystal and nickel-plated brass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
White curved frosted glass diffuser screen, brushed nickel-plated brass body. 1950s-60s in very good original condition
Crystal, Brass
Fontana Arte Model 2404 Frosted glass and Chrome Sconces, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Two pairs of Fontana Arte Model 2404 sconces in chrome-plated brass and frosted glass.
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti, Glass Top, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern coffee table ( tavolo con route ) from Gae Aulenti, the original for Fontana Arte, with glass top and swivel wheels in good condition. The Italian indust...
Glass, Rubber
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
Mid-century 'Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Duilio Barnabè' coffee table.
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Small table designed in 1958 by the great master of Crystal ''Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and painted by Duilio Bernabè known as Dubè.'' Duilio Barnabè, known artistically as Dubé, ...
Crystal
Studio Buratti 'Tropico' White Marble & Glass Table Lamp for Fontana Arte
By Oscar e Gabriele Buratti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Studio Buratti 'Tropico' white marble & glass table lamp for Fontana Arte. Executed in high quality marble, thick etched hand blown opaline glass and galvanized gold colored metal....
Marble, Metal
$1,578Sale Price|20% Off
Rare and Exquisite Decorative Bowl by Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Step into the world of mid-century elegance with this rare and exquisite decorative bowl by Fontana Arte, dating back to the 1960s. Radiating with timeless allure, this piece seamles...
Brass
Stunning Large Glass Table Lamps by Fontana Arte, Italy , 1980s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Aachen, NRW
Max Ingrand Model 1853 Table Lamp for Fontana Arte – Large Version This lamp is a timeless design classic by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. It features a white satin-blown glass shad...
Opal
Rare Chandelier 1508 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Beautiful Fontana Arte chandelier model 1508 designed by Max Ingrand. Composed of a green concave glass shade and a clear glass top. The glass top creates the rose color edge and pr...
Brass
Model 1485 Flush Mounts 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
FONTANAARTE - PIETRO CHIESA - vaso modello cartoccio in vetro - ITALIA 1950.
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
FONTANA ARTE - PIETRO CHIESA - Grande vaso in vetro originale degli anni 50, bellissima tonalità di verde ,tipico anni 50. Il vaso e i perfetto stato di conservazione.
Art Glass
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, chromed and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rewiring upo...
Metal
Pietro Chiesa Table Lamp for Fontana Arte in Glass and Brass
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Elegant table lamp crafted in brass and exquisite smoked glass, attributed to the designs of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, as evidenced by a pair of documented floor lamps featured...
Brass
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
1960 Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Italian Design Mid Century Modernist Crystal Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Bowl Fontana Arte 1960-1969 Smoked Crystal Ground Crystal on the edge Perfect Condiction
Crystal
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Model 1537 Wall Lamp, Italy 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Naples, IT
Wall lamp model 1537 from 1940 by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, made of opaline glass and brass. A highly refined design by one of the greatest masters of lighting, this exceptiona...
Brass
Luigi Fontana Brass Toilette Mirror, Fontana Arte, circa 1940
By Luigi Fontana, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A brass shaped toilette mirror designed by Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte, circa 1940. With a charming shape and decoration to the crest, with brass feet used for table support and ...
Brass
Fontana Arte, Modernist Curved Blue Glass and Brass Fire Place Screen, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice curved fire place screen is made of a brass base and a blue curved glass screen. This is a work by famous Italian Designer Fontana Arte, circa 1970.
Brass
Fontana Arte Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958. We have the same mirror available in orange as well. Beautiful mirror with an anomic grey-smokey smooth glass frame and anomic...
Brass
$4,690Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1930
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1930 A rare and beautiful Italian Art Deco grand-scale wall mirror with a rose gold glass frame, with acanthu...
Wood, Cut 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