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.
Fontana Arte Thick Nile Green Chiseled Crystal & Brass Photo Frame, Italy, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare photo frame in thick hand-sculpted Nile green crystal and solid brass. This stunning piece was designed by Pietro Chiesa and produced by Fontana Arte ...
Crystal, Brass
Pietro Chiesa per Fontana Arte cornice portafoto n. 1370
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Eleganza senza tempo racchiusa in un set di cornici portafoto disegnate da Pietro Chiesa per Fontana arte. mod 1370\1 composto da una fascia in ottone, che nella sua curvatura manti...
Brass
Pair frame no.1371 by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Italia c. 1946 20th century
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Palermo, IT
Timeless elegance encapsulated in a set of photo frames designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana arte. mod 1370\1 composed of a brass band, which in its curvature keeps the two hand-cut c...
Brass
Italian Grinded & Cut Glass 1960s Bowl/Centerpiece by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Glass bowl/centerpiece made of cut and grinded glass by Fontana Arte. Very good condition.
Cut Glass
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
Fontana Arte Glass and Walnut Wood Boxes Edited by Fontana Arte c1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
Fontana Arte pair of walnut and glass boxes. Edition Fontana Arte c1940. Excellent condition. H 3” × L 5” × D 5 cm H 3.25 × L 5” ×D 5 cm
Glass, Walnut
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 in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabe) 1955.
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabé) 1955. Centrotavola in cristallo di grandi dimensioni e spessore dipinto a mano nel...
Crystal
Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Model 2393, Crystal & Brass, Circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte 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 accessories. It is known for working with curved crystal and producing lighting fixtures, becoming a prominent name in Italian design over the years. Here we have a vertical "Soliflore" vase model 2393 in thick crystal and nickel-plated brass by Fontana Arte designed in 50s. This decorative object is a perfect idea for a gift (wedding, graduation, new born...
Brass
Midcentury Box Wood and Art Glass by Erwin Burger for Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Erwin Burger
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular decorative box in wood and art glass with reverse painted glass by Erwin Burger for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Crystal
"Giova" Table Lamp + Flower Pot Designed by Gae Aulenti for FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Giova" is a refined table lamp and flower pot hybrid piece of design, designed by Gae Aulenti and manufactured by FontanaArte, featuring a chromed metal base, a middle globe in transparent blown glass, an inner globe in polished white opaline glass, an upper half-sphere in pink blown glass with decorative bubbles, black power cable, plug and switch. Its lighting source is 1 x 100W 230V E27 (HA, FL, LED). DIMENSIONS: Ø 19.7", H. 23.2" "Giova" marks the debut of Gae Aulenti in the field of lighting design. Available in two sizes, it is both a lamp and a luminous sculpture. Placed on a metal base, a transparent bowl containing a sphere of white opal glass, which in turn houses the light source. Placed above there's a smaller bowl in blown "pulegoso" glass, meaning "with irregular bubbles", which serves as a flower vase. Now also available with gray "pulegoso" glass and a gold finished base. GAE AULENTI graduated from Milan Polytechnic in 1953 and since 1956 has been working there designing for architecture, interior and industrial design and theatre scenery. In the early eighties she was the artistic director at FontanaArte, creating timeless lamps and furnishing elements for the company that are still in the catalogue. In particular: Giova lamp...
Metal, Gold, Chrome
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Picture Frame
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Picture Frame Offered is an unusual early mid-century Italian glass and brass frame attributed to Fontana Arte. This timeless design, executed...
Brass
Fontana Arte Mirrored Crystal Italian Design, 1960s Ashtray Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Fontana Arte 1960s Mirrored crystal Perfect condiction Measure: Diameter 16.5 cm, height 2.5 cm.
Crystal
Midcentury Box Wood and Art Glass by Erwin Burger for Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Erwin Burger
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing little rectangular decorative box in wood and art glass with reverse painted glass by Erwin Burger for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Glass, Art Glass, Cut Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Picture Frame by Fontana Arte, Hand-Blown Glass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A wonderful find. This perfectly designed heavy glass picture frame in hand-blown turquoise glass was made by Fontana Arte in the 1960s and was found here in Italy. It is signed on t...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Blue Glass Tray, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
A refined and highly architectural Italian glass vide-poche or serving tray designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1960s. Executed in deeply saturated cobalt blue curved cry...
Glass
$1,879Sale Price|20% Off
Unique diamond faceted crystal ashtray Fontana Arte 1950s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Ashtray by Fontana arte Italy, 1950's. Indulge in the elegance of this exquisite ashtray or Vide-Poche, crafted in Italy during the prestigious Fontana Arte's prime in the 1960s. The...
Crystal
20th Century Max Ingrand Picture Frame for Fontana Arte Mod 1371 Glass and Brass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Turin, Turin
Picture frame model n. 1371 designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1960s. The picture frame is in glass and brass, with its own patina of time.
Brass
Fontana Arte Large Double-Sided Nile Green Photo Frame with Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and rare large double-sided picture frame in Nile green crystal glass with a silvered mirror base. This incredibly elegant piece was produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during...
Crystal, Silver
Italian Rectangular Crystal Vase by Pierangelo Gallotti & Luigi Radice, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
A sculptural Italian cut crystal vase designed by Pierangelo Gallotti & Luigi Radice in the 1960s. Produced by Fontana Arte, one of Italy’s most esteemed glass manufacturers, its...
Chrome
1950 Max Ingrand Fontana Arte MidCentury Italian Design Smoked Crystal Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Bowl Fontana Arte Italy, 1950 Smoked Crystal Bowl Great Manufacture Perfect condiction
Crystal
Max Ingrand brass and glass picture frame for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Max Ingrand Picture Frame for Fontana Arte, Model 1371. Italy 1960s
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
$1,081Sale Price|20% Off
Vaso scultura in vetro "Cartoccio" d'epoca di Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Vaso vintage unico di Pietro Chiesa questo vaso speciale è stato disegnato da Pietro Chiesa nel 1932 e realizzato da Fontana Arte fino agli anni '70. È un...
Art Glass
$1,692Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte Playing Cards Box in Cerused Oak and Glass, Italy 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Playing Cards Box in Cerused Oak and Glass, Italy 1940s The Handle depicts two cannons, and the box inside is divided into three compartments to hold p...
Glass, Oak
Fontana Arte Decorative Box, Wood & Crystal, Italy, Circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte 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 acce...
Glass, Wood
Max Ingrand per Fontana Arte Dubé Sole & Luna ''Duilio Barnabé'' Dubé 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Palermo, IT
Cristalli a lastra Fontana Arte Dube 'Duilio Barnabe', 1955 Max Ingrand. Coppia centrotavola Fontana Arte realizzato dall'artista italiano Dube' negli anni '50 che rappresenta la c...
Crystal
$1,542Sale 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
Mid-Century Modern Picture Frame by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and elegant thick glass photo frame produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s The glass, of considerable thickness, features the "Nile Green" color typical of glass produced in the...
Glass
$1,326Sale Price|30% Off
Fontana Arte 1970 By Erwin Walter Burger Decorative Art Glass Squared Dish Bowl
By Fontana Arte, Erwin Burger
Located in Miami, FL
Dish bowl designed by Fontana Arte. A beautiful vintage piece of art-glass, created in Milano Italy by Fontana-Arte, back in the early 1970. This exceptional decorative piece has be...
Art Glass
$5,403Sale Price|48% Off
Gio Ponti & Pietro Chiesa, Unique Cigars Box, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1930
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Firenze, IT
Unique piece. “Grissinato” turned wood box with decorated blue crystal, blue corrugated crystal lid, hand-decorated. “Pipe smoking man” decoration. Designed by masters Gio Ponti &...
Crystal, Brass
Max Ingrand Crystal Turquoise Bowl or Vanity Tray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular bowl or vanity tray in marvelous light turquoise beveled crystal, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1950s. This fantastic piece is...
Crystal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italian Nine Facets Glass Dish, circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
Max Ingrand designed for Fontana Arte Faceted Italian glass dish Vide Poche. Fontana Arte faceted Italian glass dish in very thick iconic Fontana Arte green glass...
Glass
Pair of Sculptural Glass and Brass Candleholders by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Offered is an exceptional pair of sculptural glass and gold-plated candleholders by renowned Italian design house Fontana Arte, circa 1970s. Exemplifying the brand's refined use of g...
Gold Plate, Brass
Fontana Arte Nile Green Crystal Double-sided Photo Frame, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous and refined mid-century picture frame in thick nile-green crystal glass. This delightful piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s and is attributed to Fontana Arte. In ...
Crystal
"Cartoccio" Fontana Arte Italian Design Midcentury Crystal Vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
"Cartoccio" vase Fontana Arte Italy, 1940-1950s Crystal Vase Perfect condition.
Glass
Cigar Box and Ashtray by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, PA
Introducing an exquisite piece of functional art: the Fontana Arte Cigar Box and Ashtray. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this unique item seamlessly combines the elegan...
Crystal
Glass Cartoccio Vase by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This extraordinary vase was designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1932 for Fontana Arte. It is made from one hot folded sheet of glass. This vintage Cartoccio in smoked glass and is in very g...
Glass
Mid-Century Fontana Arte Desk Set in Thick Nile Green Glass 50s Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Very elegant desk set in thick Nile green cut glass, steel, and metal, consisting of a pad, envelope holder, and paperweight. Made by Fontana Arte, Italy in the 1950s. Engraved "Fx" ...
Steel
Max Ingrand, Attb Glass Bowl/Dish/ Vide Poche, Freeform by Fontana Arte, Fx Mark
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful freeform dish/Vide - Poche by Fontana Arte, with FX mark in bottom, shows light scratches near signature. Amazing green /blue color tone glass, very traditional for the ear...
Glass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Green Glass Pen Holder by Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green glass base with the black Bakelite and bras pen holder.
Glass
Fontana Arte Glass/ Crystal, Dish, Vide-Poche, Free Form Shape Signed FX
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very pretty signed Fontana Arte, vide-poche. We think is Max Ingrand design.Also Pietro Chiesa worked at Fontana's at same time. Signed with FX and acid Fontana Italy.
Art Glass, Glass
Fontana Arte Empty Pocket Glass, 1955, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana arte empty pocket.
Glass
$3,291Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 Box
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 box.
Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Sculptural Glass Dish or Vide Poche Model 1419
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte exquisite glass dish or vide poche with colored profiled and curved glass resting on an angular fitted black enameled metal base, Italy, c. 1956. The sop...
Metal
outstanding fontana arte vase by max ingrand
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Munich, DE
very rare max ingrand vase / centerpiece for fontana arte. in wonderful and extremely nice patinated condition.
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Fontana Arte Little Ice Basket in Colored Crystal and Brass, 50s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte was launched in 1932 with a mission to develop products with a more artisanal feel. The Italian design company's offerings range from stained glass to furnishings and li...
Brass
Fontana Arte Glass and Brass Picture Frame, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite picture frame by Fontana Arte, crafted in Italy during the 1960s. This sculptural piece combines thick, curved glass with refined brass accents, creating a luxurious yet...
Art Glass
Model "2004" Box by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lidded box with brass handle manufactured by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Made in Milan circa 1960s. Literature: Quaderni di Fontana Arte
Crystal, Brass
Iconic Mid century modern Murano Glass Photo Frame Max Ingrand Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Refined Italian photo frame from the 1950s, produced by Fontana Arte and designed by Max Ingrand. The piece is crafted in thick shaped glass with polished beveled edges, brass insert...
Brass
$1,630 / set
Candle holders Pietro Chiesa
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Pair of candle holders by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte c1940s
Brass
'Scalpellato' Glass Dish by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1935
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
A circa 1930 ‘scalpellato’ handcut glass dish designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. The beautiful aquamarine coloured glass was produced using the ‘scalpellato’ or ‘chiselled’ ...
Glass
Pen Holder Desk by Fontana Arte for Rolex Shop Dealer, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Rolex
Located in taranto, IT
Extremely rare complete desk pen holder from the 1960s, Fontana Arte production for Rolex, consisting of a thick two-tone glass, amber and Nile Green base, with double internal engraving of the Rolex logo and large central crown from a closed Rolex dealer shop...
Glass
Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brussels, BE
Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
Glass, Wood
Max Ingrand bowl model 1639 Fontana Arte Italy 1960 brown
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Behold the exquisite Glass Bowl Model 1639, a testament to the visionary design of Max Ingrand and the meticulous craftsmanship of Fontana Arte, Italy, in 1960. Crafted from thick br...
Glass
Triangular Fontana Arte Bowl, Turquoise Blown Glass, Italy, Circa 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A super example of a pale turquoise Fontana Arte decorative bowl. In a triangular shape with turquoise glass. In good condition.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Exceptional Strong & Thick Curved Design Murano, Glass Art Floor Jardiniere Vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Lisse, NL
Great condition and all handcrafted thick glass planter or jardiniere, made in Italy. If you are looking for a truly exclusive and very stylish, extra large vase then this avantgard...
Art Glass, Murano 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
$338Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte sculpture, rationalist 1960's bicolor stratified glass vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Glass Vase - Stand Alone Glass Sculpture - Fontana Arte The piece is fluid, and is an abstract sculpture in its own right beside being an actual vase. It is preserved in very goo...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Midcentury Crystal Glass Ashtray/ Vide-Poche by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in North Miami, FL
Indulge in the elegance of this exquisite ashtray or Vide-Poche, crafted in Italy during the prestigious Fontana Arte's prime in the 1960s. The square-shaped design boasts a transpar...
Murano Glass