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.
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
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
Rare Ruby Red “Cartoccio” Vase by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Bochum, NRW
A striking early example of Pietro Chiesa’s iconic Cartoccio series for Fontana Arte, originally designed in 1932. This vintage ruby‑red vase is formed from a single sheet of hot‑fol...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
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
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
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
Mid-Century wall mirror with gold glass frame Fontana Arte for Veca
By VECA, Fontana Arte
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
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
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, 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
Floor Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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 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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Pair of ‘Micro’ Sconces, Model 2240, 1950s, Signed
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Fontana Arte Orange Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Pair of Model "1963" Brass Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Rare Pair of Large Sconces, Italy 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Pendant Lamps Glass Brass Mod. 1995, 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" (measurements cone shade only) overall he...
Brass
Rare Single Sconce by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
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
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Vase mod. Cartoccio 30s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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 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
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, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wooden and Crystal Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
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
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
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
Max Ingrand '2254' wall sconce for Fontana Arte in crystal and nickel-plated brass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte model 1829 pair of Italian wall sconces 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
Rare Max Inrgand for Fontana Arte Chandelier Model 2338
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
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
Max Ingrand Table Lamp Brass Glass Mod. 2278, Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Pair of Max Ingrand Model 1943 Wall Lights in Frosted and Bevelled Glass, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and exquisitely preserved pair of Model 1943 wall lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, produced in the 1950s. These sculptural appliques display all the hallmarks of Ingran...
Brass, Metal
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 per Fontana Arte Plafoniera a sospensione Modello 1748
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
$1,553Sale 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
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
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
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
Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Mod. 0836 Brass Glass, Italy
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
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
Studio Buratti 'Tropico' White Marble & Glass Table Lamp for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Oscar e Gabriele Buratti
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
Max ingrand coffee tables - mid-century art fountain 1958's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Linear Chandelier by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chandelier by Fontana Arte (Italy, 1960s) Curved etched striped glass is cradled by an enameled and brass detailed housing. Cross v shaped aramature with a brass centered suspension...
Brass
Max Ingrand Round Orange Smoke Wall Mirror Fontana Arte Model, 1699
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand round orange-smokey mirror for Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy Mid-century We have a similar model available in light blue as well. Handmade elegant orange-smokey colored...
Glass
FONTANAARTE - PIETRO CHIESA - vaso modello cartoccio in vetro - ITALIA 1950.
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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
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
Model 1485 Flush Mounts by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
$4,690Sale Price / item|20% Off
Yumi Carbon Fiber Floor Lamp by Shigeru Ban for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Shigeru Ban
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
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror
By Pietro Chiesa, Paolo Buffa, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror. Offered mirror is rectangular in shape and has a beautifully detailed frosted etched design around the interior perimeter of this lovel...
Mirror
Fontana Arte Glass Coffee Table 1970, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful geometric all Glass and Chrome Coffee table . Architectural Deign . so stylish . Good condition . Fontana Arte 1970s Italy
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Shaped Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
A Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare wall mirror, circa 1955 With an elegant curved shape, amber colored crystal and rectangular mirror plate with brass mounts. With its original labe...
Brass
$7,964Sale Price / item|20% Off
Teso Glass Console Designed by Renzo Piano in 1985 for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Renzo Piano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Renzo Piano made his design debut with a coordinated line of furnishing systems for FontanaArte, using only one material: Glass, symbol of the company’s production history. Dimension...
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
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamps for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' table lamps for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
Max ingrand Fontana Arte Brass and Glass Pendant Mod. 2409, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Midcentury Squared Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing squared wall mirror model 2377 mirrored coloured cut glass frame black wood fitting by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy 29 - January - 1965. The original stamp is still visible on the back, as shown in the picture. Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte n°7. Max Ingrand (1908 – 1969) ; Creating forward-thinking and innovative pieces of furniture years before his time, French stained glass designer and decorator Max Ingrand created design classics such as the Fontana table lamp, a bulbous white-painted metal frame with a satin white blown glass shade and globe. The Italian contemporary...
Metal