Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
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.
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Creator: Fontana Arte
Mod. 1371/1 Glass Picture Frame by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, c.1960
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in London, GB
An exquisite Mod. 1371/1 glass picture frame designed by Pietro Chiesa and produced by the Milanese company, Fontana Arte, c.1960. A simple brass fitting / back support couples the t...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Max Ingrand mod. 2291 paperweight for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Max Ingrand model 2291 paperweight for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
Signed with the incised F X
Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte 6
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Cut Glass
'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’ ...
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Max Ingrand Nile Green Crystal Bowl or Vanity Tray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous bowl or vanity tray in a wonderful Nile green beveled crystal, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1950s.
This fantastic piece is fabul...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Blue Fruit Bowl "Model 1419" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brussels, BE
Blue Fruit Bowl "Model 1419" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
FONTANA ARTE CENTROTAVOLA GLASS 1960 ITALY
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
FONTANA ARTE CENTERTAVOLA GLASS MOLATO VERDE NILO OF 1960....ITALIA ..coming from ua villa Milan
Category
1960s Italian Other Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
1960s Pair of Fontana Arte Deep Grey Glass Circular Bowls
By Fontana Arte
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A pair of beautiful deep grey glass Fontana Arte bowls. In very good condition. Exceptional display pieces which look wonderful on a coffee table or desk.
Dimensions: Large W20cm x ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
20th Century Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte Photo Frame in Wood and Ground Glass 40s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Photo frame designed in 40s by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. The photo frame is composed of two parts united as a "sandwich", one side is in ground glass, the back is in wood, the support is in brass. This frame is very rare for its dimensions.
Perfect idea for wedding, birthday, anniversary or graduation gift...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte Cartoccio Q Vase, Designed 1932
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extraordinary vases designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1932 and manufactured by Fontana Arte, made from hot folding of a sheet of glass. Cartoccio Q is available in transparent glass. Manu...
Category
1930s Italian Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Empty Pocket Glass, 1955, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana arte empty pocket.
Category
1950s Italian Other Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Model 2392 in Crystal & Nickeled Brass
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
"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.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Mod 2393 in Crystal, Nickeled Brass 50s
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Erwin Walter Burger for FONTANA ARTE crystal photo holder
By Fontana Arte, Erwin Walter Burger
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant photo frame designed by Erwin Walter Burger for Fontana Arte in the 1950s, a refined example of Italian design that combines functionality and beauty. Made entirely of ground...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Vase Lamp by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Vase-lamp in lacquered metal and brass, satin white glass diffuser made by Fontana Arte, Italian company founded in Milan in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti.
Specializing in g...
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Metal
20th Century Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Centerpiece 2039 in Colored Glass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Very beautiful Centerpiece designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, model 2039, designed in '60s. The Bowl has a base in silvered metal and then it is entirely in colored glass (ora...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Erwin Walter Burger for FONTANA ARTE crystal pocket emptier
By Fontana Arte, Erwin Walter Burger
Located in Milano, IT
A masterpiece of grace and craftsmanship, this elegant 1950s beveled crystal bowl emptier bears the unmistakable signature of Erwin Walter Burger for Fontana Arte. Entirely hand grou...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Octagonal Green Centrepiece / Vide Poche by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Beautiful and unique octagonal centrepiece or vide poche signed Fontana Arte.
Green Art Glass. A remarkable piece for a study or living room.
Signed FX
Italy 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Decorative Box in Wood and Glass, 50s
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
20th Century Max Ingrand Candlestick in Crystal and Brass for Fontana Arte, 50s
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
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.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Max Ingrand, Mid-Century cut glass ashtray, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare elegant pink colored glass ashtray designed by the famous designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s.
A work that demonstrates al...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Glass Notepad, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Fontana Arte two-colored glass notepad.
Original label.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Rare Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte picture frame
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare picture frame from Fontana Arte. Early 1950s
Exceptional quality curved pink glass frame.
Expected signs of age in the glass.
No chips or nicks.
There is a larger version ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
Fontana Arte Glass paperweight with two decorative silver coins, Italy 1958
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Fontana Arte Glass paperweight with two decorative silver coins, Italy 1958
This paperweight was made as a souvenir for the 50th anniversary of the Italian A.E.C Electrical company.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Fontana Arte Ashtray Glass Metal Crome, 1960, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte Ashtray glass metal Crome, 1960, Italy.
Category
1960s Italian Other Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Glass Wall Soap Dish, 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Delft, NL
Fontana Arte glass wall soap dish, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fontana Arte vase in incamiciato blown glass 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Parma, IT
Glass vase produced by Fontana Arte 1970s. In gray and white blown and incamiciato glass of distinctive conical shape.
In excellent condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Glass Tray by Dube, Duilio Barnabe, Abstract Painting, Signed
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice abstract glass painted tray, by the well-known artist, Duilio Barnabe. Signed "Dube" it measures 14 x 14 square high 1.5.
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Large Grey Glass Centerpiece Model 1639
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte large bevelled curved smoky grey glass centerpiece or dish, model 1639, Italy, circa 1961. This exquisite glass centerpiece has a triangular shape with softly rounded co...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Center Piece or Wall Decoration by Dube’
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte center piece made by Italian artist Dube’ in the 1950s representing a red lily with gold accents. He created the piece by back painting a curved glass and then etching i...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte crystal vase and metal
By Fontana Arte
Located in Monaco, MC
How chic is this vase?
Lovely Fontana Arte production of the 60's.
Blue mirrored glass and a piece of metal ready to hold a single flower.
Perfect condition
More information u...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Fontana Arte Large Gray Glass Dish or Centerpiece Model 1419
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte large gray glass dish or centerpiece with profiled and curved glass resting on an angular fitted black enameled metal base, Italy, c. 1956. This gray glass is a rare colorway in this model and the form is quite elegant in its curved form.
Literture:
Roberto Aloi, Esempi di Decorazione Moderna di Tutto il mondo, Vetri d’Oggi, Milan, 1955, p.54 (picture 11)
Franco Deboni, Fontana Arte : Gio Ponti, Pietra Chiesa...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fontana Arte decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Fontana Arte decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Fontana Arte decorative objects, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 85 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Fontana Arte were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Piero Fornasetti, Marcello Fantoni, and Dino Martens. Prices for Fontana Arte decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $304 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,124.
Creators Similar to Fontana Arte
Questions About Fontana Arte Decorative Objects
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025Painting is the type of art that made Lavinia Fontana famous. Specifically, the 16th-century Bolognese artist became widely known for her portraiture; from her commissions, she could financially support her entire family. Some of her best-known works include Portrait of a Noblewoman and Portrait of the Gozzadini Family. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of fine art.
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