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.
1 of 2 Dahlia Murano chandeliers by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Zero Quattro, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, BD Lumica, Angelo Vittorio Mazzega
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Two units available. "Dahlia" pendant light in the style of Max Ingrand's designs for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. This sculptural pendant light is composed of a gold and silver chro...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Set of 3 Painted Metal Suspensions, Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Set of 3 metal hanging lamps painted in dark green, yellow and red, produced by Fontana arte in the 1970s. The lamps have all been rewired and are in excellent condition. Dimension...
Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Chandelier in Satin Crystal and Brass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, chandelier, model '2054', nickel-plated brass, satin crystal glass, Italy, circa 1960 This chandelier (c. 1960) by the esteemed French master glass wor...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1748, Italy, 1957. Beautiful 22" ceiling fixture from very thick profiled glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smooth cut...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare original Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1642 Beautiful 28" ceiling fixture from blue-ish polished and satin glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smo...
Brass
Max Ingrand Chandelier for Fontana Arte, Brass & Glass, Italian Design
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte 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 acc...
Brass
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte made in Italy in the 1940s. Three exquisitely sculpted and sandblasted glass discs interact with light in contrasting manner...
Brass
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic pendant light model no. 2259 designed by famous designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960. It is made of solid brass with a na...
Brass
Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This pendant light presents itself as a vertically articulated composition, defined by a measured balance between structural rigor and visual fluidity. Its proportions are slender an...
Brass
Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte Drop Pendant Lamp, Model 2259, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning Mid-century ceiling pendant light chandelier dating back to the 1960s. Model no. 2259, handcrafted by Fontana Arte in Italy and designed by the renowned Max Ingrand. This ...
Brass
Fontana Arte flush mount ceiling light Model 1485, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte ceiling light model 1485 Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s Takes 4 medium base bulbs. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. Price is for 1 light. 2 lights ar...
Metal, Brass
PIETRO CHIESA - FONTANARTE - 2-light chandelier - Made in ITALY 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
PIETRO CHIESA - FONTANARTE - 1950s 2-light chandelier , composed of a glass of grosso spedite nile green color, 2 cups of murano glass green color, and stello and frame of brass and ...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Light Fixture, Italy, 1960's
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Light fixture by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in original patina. This example is the largest known, as the ones currently on the market are 15x15. It comes out of a Lele...
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Rare chandelier c1950
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Very rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier. Italy c1950 Twelve candelabra style arms and one downlighter with thick glass lense. Elegant and very rare.
Brass
Pair of Pendants by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of iconic design pendants by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished Murano glass with san...
Brass
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model #1088 Chandelier 1959
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Model 1088 chandelier with 9 dual lense sets of thick studio glass, sand blasted at the center to diffuse light and configured arround a suspended ring of nickel plated brass. D...
Nickel
Ceiling Light by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceiling Light by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s A serene and architecturally considered ceiling pendant by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, the composition layers two d...
Aluminum, Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Pendant Lamp Lantern Glass Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Max Ingrand Fontana Arte pendant lamp Mod. 1995, Italy, 1960. Dimensions 7.87" x 12.6" (cone shade only) Original conic l...
Brass
Max ingrand Fontana Arte Brass and Glass Pendant Mod. 2409, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Den Haag, NL
Diameter 34 height 90 including the chain Beautiful Fontana Arte pendant designed by Max Ingrand featuring a thick glass screen and patinated brass mounting. Height can be easily ad...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Attr to Pietro Chiesa Fontana Art Deco Gilt Chandelier c1950
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Coimbra, PT
This Mid-Century Modern chandelier from the 1950s is attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. This original Elongated large it is flanked by two etched glass on each side. The s...
Brass
Fontana Arte Cupola Y2K style color space age
By Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fontana Arte pendant lamp called " Cupola." Original design is 1978. This modern style pendant is still producing. But this color was producing only 2000s - 2010s. Now out of produc...
Steel
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Acid-Etched Chiseled Crystal Pendant Light Model 1748
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, rare and exquisite suspension or ceiling lights model 1748, Italy, 1950s. This iconic sculptural chandelier features a thick, beveled diff...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier model 1508 Italy c1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Curved coloured crystal glass and brass brass. Covered with a clear crystal glass dish. Twelve spherical bulbs (E12) sockets. 25w
Brass
Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte
Brass
Art Deco Fontana Arte Pendant Lamp Lantern Blue Glass Brass, Italy, 1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare, documented glass lantern by Fontana Arte, circa 1940 Stunning large blue glass lantern with etched rhombus pattern and fine brass work. This handmade piece is lovely to see ...
Brass
Max Ingrand Pendant Light for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Striking pendant light model 1933 in the marvelous aquamarine glass version, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1960s. Fully original and in am...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte ceiling suspension model 1239, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte ceiling suspension model 1239 Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Takes 3 medium base bulbs. Rewired for US. Brass was beautifully restored. Overall drop i...
Metal, Brass
Vintage art glass pendant lamp by Fontana Arte Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Embrace the rare and remarkable with this stunning Art glass chandelier by Fontana Arte, a true Italian masterpiece hailing from the 1970s. Fontana Arte was founded in 1932 by Luigi ...
Metal
Model 2220 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2220 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. A teardrop formed brass shade makes up the exterior portion of this sim...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Bronze and Murano Glass Pendant or Lantern by Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional Italian Mid-Century Modern bronze and hand blown Murano or Venetian glass chandelier or pendant or lantern by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. A unique piece of d...
Bronze
Elegant Italian chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, 1940s – Sculptural Mid-Century Elegance An elegant and rare chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in the 1940s, exemplifyi...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Art pendant light. Italy c1950
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte pendant light. Brass and acid etched glass. (A model that hasn't been copied!)
Brass
Fontana Arte Model 1485 Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte ceiling light model 1485 Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s Takes 4 medium base bulbs. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. Price is for 1 light. 2 lights ar...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wall/Ceiling Lamp by Veca & Fontana Arte, Italy
By VECA, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
This stunning pair of mid-century modern flush mounts was manufactured in Italy by Veca during the 1970s. Heavily influenced by the refined aesthetic of Fontana Arte, these ceiling l...
Art Glass
Max Ingrand 1636 pendant lamp Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exquisite pendant lamp, model 1636, designed by the legendary Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1960, is a rare and refined piece that reflects the pinnacle of Italian lighting de...
Brass
FONTANA ARTE ZOdIAC CHANDELIER GLASS METAL CROME 1950 ITALY
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
AMAZING DISK LAMPLIGHT WITH INCISED ZODIAC SIGNS AND CHROME METAL STRUCTURE BY FONTANA ARTE OF 1950.ITALY. in excellent state i preservation.
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Pendant Light Model 2409, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte pendant or suspension light model 2409 consisting of dome-shaped brass shade and a thick polished cle...
Brass
Art Deco Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa, Brass & Glass, Italy, 1930
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 20th Century, large vintage Art Deco Italian ceiling light, lamp made of hand crafted brass and partially etched, hand blown smoked crystal glass. The round chandelier was designed by Pietro Chiesa and produced by FontanaArte, in good condition. The wires have been renewed. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1930, Milan, Italy. Pietro Chiesa was an Italian designer born in 1892, in Milan, Italy and passed away in 1948, in Paris, France. Chiesa finished his apprenticeship in the studio of the furniture designer, interior decorator Giovan Battista Gianotti in Milan. Chiesa comes from an artistic family, he opened his own glass making studio, Botega di Pietro Chiesa in 1921, in Milan. Chiesa concentrated mainly on designing glass, he treated glass like a valuable material. Fontana Arte is an Italian lighting and design company founded in 1931, in Milan, Italy. Founded by the two well-known Italian architect and designers Giovanni Ponti...
Crystal, Brass, Metal
Italian Design Pendant by Fontana Arte Model 2492 Ca 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Encinitas, CA
Pendant by Fontana Arte model 2492 design: Fontana Arte. A white matte lacquered aluminium dome mounted with a chrome trim plated section. Opaline original glass shield. Excellent...
Chrome, Aluminum
Uovo Pendant Light by Ben Swildens for Fontana Arte (2 available), Italy, 1972
By Ben Swildens, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic “Uovo” pendant light designed in 1972 by Ben Swildens for the renowned Italian lighting house Fontana Arte. This celebrated design is characterized by its softly sculptural eg...
Chrome
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte. Originally designed in 1933 by the eternally iconic Gio Ponti, the 0024 pendant light features ...
Metal, Chrome
Max Ingrand 1990 flush mount Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A rare and highly collectible example of Italian mid-century lighting, this model 1990 flush mount ceiling lamp was designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and produced in Italy cir...
Aluminum, Brass
Medium 'Pinecone' Suspension Lamp in Opaline Glass & Gold Metal for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Paola Navone
Located in Glendale, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' suspension lamp in opaline glass & gold for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass techn...
Metal, Steel
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte No 2296 Ceiling Lamp in Glass, Brass and Metal, 1964
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Ceiling lamp no 2296 by Italian grandmaster Max Ingrand for the Milanese glass and lighting company Fontana Arte in Glass, Metal and beautifully patinated polished brass in very good...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Light Model 2448
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte exquisite circular semi-flush mount ceiling light model 2448 with thick rectangular panels of chiseled crystal glass suspended from nickel-plated brass s...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An iconic design pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished Murano glass with sandblasted ...
Brass
Glass and brass chandelier 2296 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in MIlano, IT
Glass and brass chandelier 2296 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950s Ceiling lamp model 2296 oblong, in frosted, transparent and colored glass with brass frames composed of eightee...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1748, Italy, 1957. Beautiful 22" ceiling fixture from very thick profiled glass, partially wit...
Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier, 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte model 1239 elegant chandelier or suspension ceiling light with large curved polished crystal glass disc atop frosted glass diffuser with central brass or...
Brass
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension. Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Two large curved acid etched glass shades mounted on a brass frame. Takes 9 candelabra bulbs. Compli...
Brass
Rare pair Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte 'Micro' pendants Model 1933
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare pair original Max Ingrand pendents Double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished glass with satin finished glass centres In excellent condition. No chips or cracks. Love...
Brass
Large 'Pinecone' Suspension Lamp in Transparent Glass & Gold for Fontana Arte
By Paola Navone, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Large 'Pinecone' suspension lamp in transparent glass & gold for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass tec...
Metal
Model 2054 Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2054 ceiling light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1956. Nickel-plated brass, curved, satin and ground crystal. Rewired for U.S. standards....
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Model 1954 Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 1954 pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, late 1950s. Enameled metal armature with original paint,...
Brass, Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier, Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Naples, IT
Rare, unique, important pendant lamp variant of mod. 1849.. The chandelier features an elegant and refined design, typical of the style of Max Ingrand. The shapes are sinuous and har...
Brass
Rare Max Ingrand chandelier for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier 18 bulbs. Small Eddison screw (One of the few models that has not been reproduced!)
Nickel
1960's Brass and Murano Glass Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Very elegant 1960's pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, from the Micro series. The iconic double lens cut panels of thick (2cm) profiled polished Murano glass with...
Brass
Medium 'Pinecone' Suspension Lamp in Opaline Glass & Chrome for Fontana Arte
By Paola Navone, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' suspension lamp in opaline glass & chrome for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass tec...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Pietro Chiesa Fontane Arte Style Glass & Brass Chandelier, Italy 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant mid-century pendant was designed and manufactured in Italy in the 1950s. It features a brass central rod that extends into a decorative, curved structure supporting a ...
Brass
Max Ingrand ceiling lamp model 2448 Fontana Arte 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning ceiling lamp model 2448 designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy 1960. The lamps feature a round chrome structure that holds thirty-two chiseled gla...
Chrome, Nickel