Fontana Arte Peach and Green Glass Notepad Holder, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Fontana Arte two-colored glass notepad. Original label.
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Desk Accessories
Brass
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 Peach and Green Glass Notepad Holder, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Fontana Arte two-colored glass notepad. Original label.
Brass
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
Fontana Arte Empty Pocket Glass, 1955, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana arte empty pocket.
Glass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Hand-chiseled ticket holder Mid-Century Italy 40s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Hand-chiseled crystal office card holder. Designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. The thickness of the crystal is 2.3 cm. Nile green color. Very rare and valuable a...
Brass
$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
P. Chiesa Nile Green Glass and Bronze Pen Holder by Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular pen holder in Nile green faceted crystal with a decorative bronze elephant. This outstanding piece was designed by the mastery of Pietro Chiesa and produced by Fontana Ar...
Metal, Bronze
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.
Silver
Beveled Nile Green Crystal and Brass Pen Holder by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous pen holder in Nile green beveled crystal and solid brass, produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the early 1950s. This refined and sculptural desk accessory features a t...
Crystal, Brass
Erwin Walter Burger for FONTANA ARTE crystal photo holder
By Erwin Walter Burger, Fontana Arte
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...
Crystal
Pen Holder Desk by Fontana Arte for Rolex Shop Dealer, 1960s
By Rolex, Fontana Arte
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
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
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
Cut Glass
Italian crystal photo holder for FONTANA ARTE
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant 1980s Photo Frame by Fontana Arte - Italian Design in Satin-Finished Blue Crystal with Original Box A refined piece of Italian design history, this elegant photo frame was pr...
Crystal
1970s Crystal Paperweight Sculpture by Fontana Arte for ISTUD, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
This elegant limited edition paperweight sculpture was made by Fontana Arte for ISTUD Italia in the 1970s. As the pictures show, it comes with its original box and ticket which s...
Crystal
Fontana Arte Ashtray Glass Metal Crome, 1960, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte Ashtray glass metal Crome, 1960, Italy.
Glass
$488Sale Price|24% Off
H 2.5 in Dm 3 in
Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown green and white twisting ribbons Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. This paperweights are often ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
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
$502
H 3.94 in W 7.88 in D 10.63 in
Blue Murano Glass Bowl or Pocket Emptier, Fontana Arte style, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous blue glass bowl in Murano glass. This gorgeous piece was designed in Murano, Italy in the 1960s clearly in the style of Fontana Arte. This bowl is in amazing conditions w...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$2,219
H 0.99 in W 6.7 in D 7.29 in
'Scalpellato' Glass Dish by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1935
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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
$1,017 / set
H 0.79 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in
Pietro Chiesa Midcentury Chiseled Crystal Desk Set for Fontana Arte, 1930s
By Max Ingrand, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This hand chiselled crystal desk set was designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1930s Fontana Arte S.p.A. is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Minimalist German Brass Pen Holder, 1950s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Minimalist German Brass Pen Holder, 1950s
Brass
$838
H 10.44 in Dm 16.54 in
Transparent Etched Glass Vase "Cartoccio" by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This vase was designed by Pietro Chiesa and manufactured by Fontana Arte. It is made in transparent etched glass and has a very nice ‘Cartoccio’ (paper bag) sha...
Glass
$1,800 / set
H 0.79 in W 9.53 in D 6.62 in
Fontana Arte 1950s Modernist Glass Pen Holder or Stand and Ashtray Desk Set
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern desk set featuring an adjustable pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy, circa ...
Glass
Beveled Glass Ashtray by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian beveled glass ashtray by Fontana Arte / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Length 6.5 inches / width 6.5 inches / height 1 inch Order Reference: FABIOLTD G77 This pi...
Glass
1960s Italian Design Crystal Key Fontana Arte Style Paperweight
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare crystal key paperweight Perfect condiction.
Crystal
$1,137
H 7.49 in W 9.45 in D 3.15 in
Fontana Arte Nile Green Crystal and Brass Photo Frame, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and rare photo frame in Nile green crystal and solid brass. This refined decorative piece was produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1950s. In amazing condition, with...
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
Fontana Arte 1970 Ronson Veraflame Desk Lighter In Glass And Gilt Bronze
By Fontana Arte, Ronson
Located in Miami, FL
Geometric desk lighter designed by Ronson. A very beautiful desk-lighter, designed by Ronson back in the 1970. This modernist lighter is from the Veraflame collection, created in Am...
Bronze
Fontana Arte Glass Italian Design 1950s Desk Sets of 3
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Fontana Arte desk set (Pietro Chiesa). The glass is a splendid nile green color. Below you will find the measurements of each piece. Set of 3: 1,650 Kg NOTE: We offer our customers...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 25.2 in W 10.63 in D 10.04 in
Fontana Arte Empty Pockets / Ashtrays MetalCrome Glass 1970 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Very Rare Empty Pockets / Ashtrays Fontana Arte
Glass
Mid Century Modern Fontana arte letter rack.
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Thick pale glass letter rack useful for a desk. This is an early Model due to the pale green colour of the glass. The metal partitions that hold the ...
Glass
Vintage Glass Ashtray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Ashtray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s cm. 20x3x20 Vey good condition.
Murano Glass
Small Glass Dish by Fontana Arte C.1960’s
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
A small bevelled glass bowl, dish by Fontana Arte. Etched FX. Very good original condition. Beautifully made with minor surface scratches.
Glass
Ettore Sottsass Blue Vase for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinaire sculptural vase by Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte from the late 1980s. The sculptural vase is made of wonderful blue glass and as you can see from the photos have a ...
Art Glass
Fontana Arte Brass Picture Frame, 1960's
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice sculptural design Undulating brass frame with original glass (small chip on corner) or can switch to a vanity mirror A great decorative piece that will compliment a Gio Ponti c...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Vase for Fontana Arte Vase in Blue Glass
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural vase by Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte from the late 1980s.The sculptural vase is made of blue glass and as you can see from the photos have a particular shape. The vase...
Art Glass
Duilio 'Dubé' Barnabé, Fontana Arte
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Glass dish by Duilio (Dube´) Barnabé Reverse painted and bevelled glass Produced by Fontana Arte Italy c 1956.
Glass
Fontana Arte Hand Mirror by Italian Architect Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
A hand mirror, model number 2032, designed by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte with beveled glass edges and black glass backing. Comes with original box and certificate of authenticity. M...
Mirror
Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa Ashtray Glass, 1950, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa ashtray glass 1950 Italy.
Glass