Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
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
Fontana Arte Organic Glass Form Bowl 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Munich, DE
Rare blue grey glass bowl, candy dish designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, circa 1960. Similar examples pictured in Franco Deboni’s “Fontana Arte” published by Allemandi & C., 2...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Murano Glass
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
1960s Fontana Vetri Arte Turquoise Geometric Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
An exceptional Turquoise geometric bowl by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Fontana Arte was the design house co-founded by Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1930s. These rare original pieces a...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of 1960s Fontana Vetri Arte Turquoise Geometric Bowls
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
An exceptional pair of Turquoise geometric bowls by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Fontana Arte was the design house co-founded by Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1930s. These rare original...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Duilio (Dubè) piatto Barnabé Fontana Arte Italia 1956
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Duilio (Dubè) Barnabé
Fontana Arte
Italia 1956.
Cristallo intagliato e dipinto al rovescio 1¼ h × 10 l × 9¼ p pollici
(3 × 25 × 23 cm)
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Max Ingrand heart bowl Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful heart-shaped bowl designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy in 1960. High quality crystal glass in a stunning peach colour. Hilghly decorative piece...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
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...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Eye-catchy Thick Glass Centerpiece by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Eye-catchy thick glass centerpiece manufactured by Fontana Arte.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
Round Bowl or Ashtray in Green Glass Mirrored by Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
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 Bowls
Materials
Metal
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.
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Fontana Arte Catch All Glass Bowl Brass, Italy Mid Century
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare catch-all, standing bowl from the 1960, Fontana Arte, MIlano
Rare catch-all standing bowl by Fontana Arte, circa 1960. Beautiful piece with hand-polished smooth heavy 8.26" g...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
Fontana Arte Beveled Curved Black Glass Bowl or Dish Signed FX Model 2007 A
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bright black glass beveled edge glass dish or bowl by Fontana Arte signed FX on the edge as shown.
Model 2007 A, circa 1960.
Literature Quaderno Fontana Arte no 3, 1961 p.18.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art 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 Bowls
Materials
Glass
Duilio Dubé Bernabe Fontana Arte Glass Centerpiece Bowl
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Miami, FL
Duilio Dubé Bernabe Fontana Arte glass bowl
Offered for sale is an original Fontana Arte glass footed centerpiece made by the Italian artist Duilio Du...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Lidded Bowl by Max Ingrand
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Hanover, MA
A 1960's smoked gray crystal covered bowl with chrome base and ring finial by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte (Model #2004).
Original foil label on lid.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
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Wall soap dish by Fontana Arte 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Genova, IT
2-person wall-mounted soap dish, thick glass (12mm) and chrome metal. in excellent condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Metal
Set Italian Venetian Murano Glass Cobalt Blue Sherbet Bowls, 1960s, Italy Venice
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home or dining table with this charming set of 6 fruit bowls / sherbet cups and a large serving bowl. Perfect hand blown cobalt blue and clear Murano ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian mirrored glass Vide_Poche attributed to Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Italian mirrored glass Vide_Poche attributed to Fontana Arte
Beautifully beveled glass.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Mirror
Midcentury Pietro Chiesa Carved Crystal Glass Italian Ashtray for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury carved crystal glass ashtray. This wonderful item was designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in Italy during 1960s.
This piece is unique as it has two carved sides and two straight ones and tone of the crystal, that is a very elegant water marine.
A perfect bowl to complete a midcentury-style living room or entrance.
Measures (cms):
width - 20
depth - 20
height - 2
Pietro Chiesa (1892-1948) was an Italian designer who specialised in modernist and Art Deco designs. Chiesa was one of the founding members of FontanaArte which was established in 1932, and as its artistic director, he designed hundreds of items ranging from furniture to objets d’art. A member of the Swiss Ticino family of artists, Chiesa is best known for his glass furnishing pieces, such as the Fontana table.
Fontana Arte (established in 1933) was founded by Luigi Fontana, Gio Ponti, and Pietro Chiesa as a premier producer and marketer of furniture, lighting, and furnishing accessories, and distignuished itself applying the highest standards of glass craftsmanship and techniques. Throughout Fontana Arte’s history, its lamps and furniture have been highly sought after due to their superior glass craftsmanship and innovative design.
Saint-Gobain Invests in Luigi Fontanta e Compagni
The origins of Fontana Arte go back to 1881, when Luigi Fontana established Luigi Fontana e Compagni to produce and market sheet glass for the construction industry. Luigi’s success as an entrepreneur in the growing Italian construction sector attracted the attention of the French glass-making company Saint-Gobain, which, in 1910, took a majority stake in the ownership of Luigi Fontana e Compagni transforming it into a “Società Anonima” still under the direction of Luigi Fontana. By the mid-1920s, Fontana e Compagni’s capabilities included the creation of artistic stained glass that was mostly used in functional and decorative settings of churches and cathedrals.
Gio Ponti Becomes Fontana e Compagni’s Artistic Director
In just a few years, the production of such artistic stained-glass products had become of such importance that a different division within the Fontana e Compagni was created to further its development. In 1930, Luigi Fontana met the successful young Milanese architect Gio Ponti, who was then the art director of Richard-Ginori pottery company, and they formed a partnership, under the name of Luigi Fontana SA, for the production of light fixtures, furniture, and furnishing objects. During this initial period, Gio Ponti designed from Fontana Arte the now-iconic 0024 Pendant light (1931) and the Bilia Table Lamp (1931).
Pietro Chiesa, Gio Ponti, and Luigi Fontana Found Fontana Arte
In 1932, Gio Ponti approached Pietro Chiesa to join him and Luigi Fontana and to become Luigi Fontana SA’s artistic director. In 1933, Pietro Chiesa merged his studio, the Bottega di Pietro Chiesa, with Fontana SA, and together Luigi Fontana, Gio Ponti, and Chiesa founded Fontana Arte. During Chiesa’s tenure as artistic director, Fontana Arte’s production became rich and varied. It included furniture, tables, mirrors, sculptures, and stained glass, but it was certainly in the lighting sector where Fontana Arte excelled by creating lamps and lights with the highest standards in glass craftsmanship and modern designs. From this period came the Luminator floor lamp, the Cartoccio glass vase, and the Fontana Arte table made out of a single band of bent clear glass, (all designed by Pietro Chiesa, in 1932); and the Naska lamp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
H 0.79 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Glass Vase, 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Glass Vase, 1960s.
A vintage Murano sommerso art glass vase. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1960s. Manufac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Green Murano Bowl in Mouth Blown Art Glass, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Green Murano bowl in mouth blown art glass, 1960s.
Measures: 18 x 9 cm.
In excellent condition.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
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.
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
1940s Fontana Arte Large signed rectangular bowl and ashtray
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
A very large 1940s pale green glass rectangular bowl which can be used as a 'tasca vuota' (empty pocket) or ashtray. The piece is signed on the base as per the photo. This very heavy...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
1960s Large Fontana Arte Decorative Centrepiece
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
A very beautiful example of a large Fontana Arte centerpiece. This wonderful Milanese heavy glass bowl is a vibrant turquoise colour. It has four folded corners making what was once ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Round Bowl or Ashtray in Green Glass Mirrored by Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Heavy Seguso Vetri d'Arte 'Attr.' Murano Art Glass Bowl 1950s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Heavy Seguso Vetri d'Arte (attr.) Murano Art glass bowl 1950s
A heavy Murano glass bowl most probably manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950s. Thick green and yellow glass w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Eye-catchy Thick Glass Centerpiece by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Eye-catchy thick glass centerpiece manufactured by Fontana Arte.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Previously Available Items
A Pair of 1940s Fontana Arte Glass Picture Frames
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
A pair of elegant extremely heavy glass photo frames made by Fontana Arte in the 1940s. The picture or photo is held in place by two decorative metal bolts. The larger frame has a si...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Metal
1960s Fontana Arte Small Square Bowls or Ashtrays
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
A beautiful pair of Fontana Arte glass miniature bowls or ashtrays which fit together in a small metal frame to create a beautiful ornament when not being used. They can either be u...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Vintage Decorative Bowl by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beautiful Vintage Decorative Bowl by Fontana Arte is a captivating blend of artistry and elegance. Its exquisite design features a mesmerizing blue glass top that catches and dif...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
Green Fruit Bowl by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 'Model 1419', circa 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Elegant fruit bowl by Max Ingrand. Fontana Arte. Italy circa 1960
Beautiful vintage condition.
No defects.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
H 3.55 in W 20.87 in D 13.39 in
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Blue Fruit Bowl 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Munich, DE
Max Ingrand vide poche or fruit bowl in tinted glass and with an elegant brass handle, produced by Fontana Arte in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
Grinded & Cut Glass 1960s Bowl by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Big glass bowl/centerpiece made of cut and grinded glass by Fontana Arte. Very good condition.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Cut Glass
Fontana Arte Submerged Glass Centerpiece or Bowl, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Rare submerged Murano glass centrepiece/emptying tray by Fontana Arte, engraved FX, with colour nuances from Nile green to yellow, blue and amber, Italy 1960
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Pocket Ashtray Curved Crystal, 1960, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fontana Arte pocket ashtray curved crystal, 1960, Italy.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
1960's Italian Murano Glass Fontana Arte Fruit Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th-century collectible vintage centerpiece, decorative bowl, or dish designed by the notable Italian brand that still manufactures and collaborates with grand designers to this d...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Fontana Arte Handkerchief Vase Fazzoletto Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Large so-called Fazzoletto bowl by Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This design is based on the early handkerchief glass vase designs from Pietro Chiesa. It's...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Crystal Tray
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Model 1528 graceful pink tray by Fontana Arte.
Triangular shape with rounded corners.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
1960 Fontana Arte Italian Design Curved Glass Ashtray Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Curved Glass
Perfect condiction.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte decorative bowls for sale on 1stDibs.
Fontana Arte decorative bowls 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 bowls, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative bowls by Fontana Arte were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative bowls by Marcello Fantoni, Ettore Sottsass, and Raymor. Prices for Fontana Arte decorative bowls can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $409 and can go as high as $6,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,388.
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