Skip to main content

Fontana Arte Vases

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.

18
1
to
16
3
19
18
18
11
3
1
18
1
13
4
2
3
4
4
3
Height
to
Width
to
18
6
5
4
2
19
19
543
1,027
534
387
358
Creator: Fontana Arte
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...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art 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...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art 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 Vases

Materials

Crystal

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.
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Crystal

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 Vases

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 Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte Cartoccio Q Vase, Designed 1932
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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 Vases

Materials

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 Vases

Materials

Brass

20th Century Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte Vase mod. Cartoccio in Glass, 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...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass

Transparent Glass Vase "Cartoccio" by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy
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...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

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 Vases

Materials

Brass

Fontana Arte “Pietro Chiesa “ Vase Glass, 1940, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte.
Category

1940s Italian Other Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass

Fontana Arte Vase Glass 1950 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass

"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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Gold, Chrome, Metal

"Cartoccio" Fontana Arte Italian Design Midcentury Crystal Vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
"Cartoccio" vase by Fontana Arte Italy, 1940-1950s Acid crystal Perfect condition.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass

20th Century Max Ingrand Vase for Fontana Arte in Brass and Glass '50s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Turin, Turin
Some infos about the author Max Ingrand: French modern designer, decorator, and glassmaker Max Ingrand was born in Bressuire in 1908. He studi...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Brass

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 Vases

Materials

Brass

Fontana Arte “Cartoccio” Glass, 1949
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

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...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Brass, Metal

Related Items
Vaso in Vetro Di Murano Di Sommerso, Anni '60
Located in Milano, MI
Creatore Sommerso Periodo del design 1960 - 1969 Periodo di produzione 1960 - 1969 Paese di produzione Italia Stile Mid-Century Stato Eccellente — Questo pezzo vintage/antico è in condizioni quasi originali. Materiale Vetro di Murano...
Category

1760s Italian Antique Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Shiva flower vase by Ettore Sottsass was designed in 1973 following the inspiration garnered from his love for Catalan women w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
H 9.06 in W 6.7 in D 2.76 in
Vaso in vetro di Murano
By Dino Martens, Effetre International Company, Tapio Wirkkala, Venini, Lino Tagliapietra
Located in Lugo, IT
Vaso in vetro bianco con filamenti neri e ad oro. Ci sono dei piccoli punti dei filamenti non perfetti, nelle foto si nota. Grazie
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Vaso in vetro di Murano
Vaso in vetro di Murano
H 24.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant vase was designed by famous Italian architect Ettore Sottsass in 1962. It is in white clay and its geometric shape with a white finish is adorned with a series of parall...
Category

2010s Italian Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass
Chalice Vase by Ettore Sottsass
H 18.51 in Dm 7.88 in
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 Vases

Materials

Crystal

Ceramic Fontana Italian Vase, 1960s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Ceramic handmade vase by Fontana made in Siena Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Silver leaf infused blown case glass vase by Seguso Verti d'Arte, 1970
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Mouth blown case glass art vase with a waisted standing rim below a flaring lip. The deep slate blue/black glass is infused with silver leaf flecks and encased in clear glass. The un...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Blue Art Glass Murano Vase
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage cobalt blue art glass murano vase. Blown art bubble glass in cobalt blue with a white added rim. Very nice vibrant cobalt blue color. Vintage...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Senape Flower Vase Ettore Sottsass Japanese Urushi Laquer Model B
By Ettore Sottsass, Marutomi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Senape flower vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi. This model is limited Japanese urushi lacquer model. Japanese traditional ur...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Post-Modern Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Plastic

Vaso in vetro di Murano
By La Murrina
Located in Palermo, PA
Bellissimo vaso rosso con motivo astratto multicolore, nero, verde, bianco e celeste con polvere d'argento che crea una suggestiva texture di forme e colori. Vaso in vetro di Murano ...
Category

1980s Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Vaso in vetro di Murano
Vaso in vetro di Murano
H 28 in W 17 in D 8 in
"Cartoccio" Fontana Arte Italian Design Midcentury Crystal Vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
"Cartoccio" vase by Fontana Arte Italy, 1940-1950s Acid crystal Perfect condition.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Set of Two Red Thick Glass Vases
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Set of two murano red glass vases 1960s. Beautiful pair of Murano large red vases, rectangular design.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Previously Available Items
Vintage Pale Pink Glass Vase "Cartoccio" by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Italy
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

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 ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Ettore Sottsass Blue Vase for Fontana Arte
Ettore Sottsass Blue Vase for Fontana Arte
H 9.06 in W 7.09 in D 3.15 in
Rare, Colored Glass Vases, Model No. 2122, by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Colored glass, mirror, lacquered wood, brass. Each of these elegant bottle forms (rose, blue, green, yellow) has a brass insert for flowers. Price listed is per bottle.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Brass

Fontana Arte Crystal Bud Vase
By Fontana Arte
Located in Stockton, NJ
A Fontana Arte brass bud vase with circular crystal base. Marked "Made in Italy".
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Ettore Sottsass Vase for Fontana Arte in Blue Glass
By Ettore Sottsass, Fontana Arte
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...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Ettore Sottsass Vase for Fontana Arte Vase in Blue Glass
By Ettore Sottsass, Fontana Arte
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...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Mod.2392, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Soliflore vase Mod. 2392 Fontana Arte, very thick cut crystal, nickel-plated brass. Production Fontana Arte 1964. Producer Label. Small chip at the top ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Brass

Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Omai Vase Table Lamp, Italy, 1956
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Max Ingrand project, 1954, for Fontana Arte, Italy, white satin glass, small brass seal in the vase, metal base, white lacquered, measures: height 33 cm, diameter 24 cm.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Mid-Century Vase Cartoccio by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern satin glass vase Cartoccio by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte , 1940s Aquamarine blue satin glass vase Cartoccio model...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Stained 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 Vases

Materials

Glass

Fontana Arte Handkerchief Vase Fazzoletto Bowl
Fontana Arte Handkerchief Vase Fazzoletto Bowl
H 10.62 in W 14.96 in D 14.96 in
20th Century Max Ingrand Soliflore Vase for Fontana Arte in Crystal and Brass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Turin, Turin
Soliflore vase designed in 1950s by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The vase is in ground crystal, brass and blue painted metal. Very good condition.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Brass, Metal

1970s Italian Fontana Arte Single Orchid Vase with Glass and Chrome
By Fontana Arte
Located in Aspen, CO
Rare 1970s Italian documented Fontana Arte single orchid vase featuring a clear glass design with chrome detailing.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Vases

Materials

Chrome

Fontana Arte vases for sale on 1stDibs.

Fontana Arte vases 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 vases, although blue editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 17 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original vases 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 vases by Tomaso Buzzi, Lorenzo Burchiellaro, and Guido Gambone. Prices for Fontana Arte vases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $572 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,787.

Recently Viewed

View All