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.
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Vase mod. Cartoccio 30s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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
outstanding fontana arte vase by max ingrand
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Munich, DE
very rare max ingrand vase / centerpiece for fontana arte. in wonderful and extremely nice patinated condition.
Crystal, Brass
"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
$1,326Sale Price|30% Off
Fontana Arte 1970 By Erwin Walter Burger Decorative Art Glass Squared Dish Bowl
By Erwin Burger, Fontana Arte
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
$346Sale 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
Italian Round 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
Transparent Etched Glass Vase "Cartoccio" by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
"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
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...
Crystal
Italian modern glass vase Cartoccio by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1980s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glass vase Cartoccio by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1980s Cartoccio vase entirely made of frosted glass. The irregular shape features folds and rounded edges. Prod...
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
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
Max Ingrand, Mid-Century cut glass ashtray, Italy, 1950s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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...
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
$1,106Sale 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
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Brass Vase
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...
Brass
Italian Square 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
Fontana Arte Cartoccio small textured glass vase Pietro Chiesa 1932 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Small version of Cartoccio textured glass vase from Fontana Arte. Approx dimensions 9 x 8 x 6.75 inches high
Glass
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
Fontana Arte “Cartoccio” Glass, 1949
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte “Cartoccio” glass, 1940.
Glass
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...
Brass, 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.
Glass
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte Vase Model 2665
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte rare large graphic colored crystal vase consisting of dark blue central square cylinder with attached brown tria...
Art Glass
Rare 1st edition Giova lamp by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte, 1964
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Splendid Giova lamp designed by Gae Aulenti in 1964 for Fontana Arte, the famous Italian lighting design house. It has the particularity of having 2 possibi...
Glass, Opaline Glass
Fontana Arte Umbrella Holder Glass Brass, 1945, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte umbrella holder glass brass, 1945, Italy.
Glass
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
$287Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in W 6.7 in D 1.97 in
1960s German Walther Glas "Solifleur" Single Stem Round Vase in Crystal
By Walther Glass
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage 1960s "Solifleur" single stem vase by german manufacturing company "Walther Glas". It's a quite big version of one of Walther's most famous design...
Glass, Art Glass
$1,710 / item
H 20.9 in Dm 7.9 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte Vase Model 2665
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte rare large graphic colored crystal vase consisting of dark blue central square cylinder with attached brown tria...
Art Glass
$2,984 / set
H 20.9 in Dm 7.9 in
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamps for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' table lamps for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
$1,800
H 16.62 in Dm 6.23 in
Tall Green 'A Scavo' Murano Glass Fluted Vase Attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Tall fluted green 'a Scavo' glass vase or candlestick holder attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano, Italy. Elegant in form and showing extraordinary craftmanship with the use of t...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Gae Aulenti "Giova" Table Lamp, Small Version, Fontana Arte, 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Experience timeless Italian design with this exquisite "Giova" lamp by the legendary Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte, designed 1964. A beautiful and collectible light sculpture, the "Gi...
Metal
$4,950
H 2.5 in Dm 6.75 in
Pietro Chiesa Attributed Fontana Arte Round Carved Wood Box with Glass Top 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite round carved wood box attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. Beautifully crafted with elegant proportions, this sculptural decorative box features rich...
Glass, Wood
$1,569Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in Dm 7.88 in
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
"Pileino" Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
White Metal lamp. Stamped Gae Aulenti, Artemide on the underside. The shade is adjustable. Wear due to time and age.
Metal
Rare Ruby Red “Cartoccio” Vase by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Bochum, NRW
A striking early example of Pietro Chiesa’s iconic Cartoccio series for Fontana Arte, originally designed in 1932. This vintage ruby‑red vase is formed from a single sheet of hot‑fol...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Cartoccio Vase by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This extraordinary vase was designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1932 for Fontana Arte. It is made from a hot folded sheet of glass. The manual production makes each vase unique. The vase h...
Glass
1960s Fontana Arte Rectangular Dish
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Exceptional large 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 piece...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown 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
Glass
Glass Cartoccio Vase by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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 green glass is in mint condit...
Glass
Posacene mod. 2087 Max Ingrand Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Rivoli, IT
Beautiful floor ashtray, production Fontana Arte 1950s Lacquered metal frame and brass thick colored crystal disc.
Metal
Ettore Sottsass crystal vase for Fontana Arte 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Parma, IT
Ettore Sottsass colored crystal vase mod.2665 produced by Fontana Arte in the 1970s. In colored crystal assembled by glue. In excellent condition.
Crystal
Vaso portafiori luminoso '2483/1' FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Vaso Portafiori luminoso modello '2483/1' disegnato da Max Ingrand e prodotto da FontanaArte negli anni '60. Realizzato in metallo verniciato rosso e vetro satinato.
Metal
Sold
H 9.26 in Dm 13 in
Vintage Pale Pink Glass Vase "Cartoccio" by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Italy
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
The design is of the 30s, but this vase is made in the 1970s. This vase was designed by Pietro Chiesa and manufactured by Fontana Arte. It is made in pale pink with blue shades etche...
Murano Glass
Ettore Sottsass Blue Vase for Fontana Arte
By Ettore Sottsass, Fontana Arte
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 “Pietro Chiesa “ Vase Glass, 1940, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte.
Glass
Fontana Arte Vase Glass 1950 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Glass