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.
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
$1,544Sale 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
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
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 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
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
$1,882Sale 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
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, Fontana Arte Prod. Italy 1950 alzata in cristallo colorato.
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand, alzata in cristallo colorato, curvato e molato con base in metallo. prod. Fontana Arte, Italia, 1950 ca. cm 50x22 . Centrotavola mid-centurymodern. Maggiori informazioni...
Crystal
Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabe) 1955.
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Barnabe
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
Max Ingrand per Fontana Arte Dubé Sole & Luna ''Duilio Barnabé'' Dubé 1955
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
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
"Empty Pocket" in ground crystal glass, produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Arezzo, Italy
A rare pocket emptier produced by Fontana Arte in the 1960s, made of very thick cut glass, Nile green color, decorative item that can be used as a pocket emptier or ashtray, excelle...
Stained Glass
Fontana Arte Glass/ Crystal, Dish, Vide-Poche, Free Form Shape Signed FX
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
'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
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
Max Ingrand Crystal Turquoise Bowl or Vanity Tray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Fontana Arte "Svuota tasche" Green Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1960, Mid-Century
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
A famous vintage cut-glass pocket tray or bowl, produced by the historic Italian company Fontana Arte. Originally designed in the 1950s and 1960s by art directors of the time, such a...
Crystal
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
Max Ingrand bowl model 1639 Fontana Arte Italy 1960 brown
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
$1,412Sale Price|20% Off
Erwin Walter Burger for FONTANA ARTE crystal pocket emptier
By Erwin Walter Burger, Fontana Arte
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...
Crystal
Round Bowl or Ashtray in Green Glass Mirrored by Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Rare round bowl or ashtray in green crystal glass and mirrored underside with four concave circle by Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Crystal
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
Fontana Arte Glass Bowl 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Munich, DE
Rare clear blue glass bowl designed for Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This beautiful glass bowl with its oval shape and gently rounded corners reflects the minimalist, elegant design of ...
Murano Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Centerpiece 2039 in Colored Glass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Metal
20th Century, Fontana Arte Glass Centerpice 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Little Ice Basket in Colored Crystal and Brass, 50s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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 Large Glass Centerpiece Mod.1639, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Large and rare salmon pink beveled glass centerpiece or plate by Fontana Arte, model 1639, Italy, circa 1961. This exquisite glass centerpiece has a triangular shape with softly roun...
Glass
Fruit Bowl in Blue Glass by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte "Model 1419", c 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Blue Fruit Bowl "Model 1419" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, circa 1960 Fontana Arte original label present In excellent vintage condition. Glass is near perfect. The brass ba...
Brass
Max Ingrand centerpiece bowl Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A refined and highly sculptural vide poche or centerpiece designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1960. This elegant piece exemplifies the refined sens...
Brass
$4,238 / set
Fontana Arte Vide Poche Glass Bowl 1960 Set of 3
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Munich, DE
Rare blue glass dish, vide poche, candy dish in three different sizes attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, circa 1960. Made in blue and green shining crystal Murano glass and ...
Murano Glass
Fontana Arte Glass Tray by Dube, Duilio Barnabe, Abstract Painting, Signed
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte
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.
Glass
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
Glass