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.
Mid-Century wall mirror with gold glass frame Fontana Arte for Veca
By VECA, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Glass with gold-colored side edge Elegant wall mirror made by Fontana Arte for Veca, traceable to Italian production of the mid-20th century. The mirror features a refined, slightl...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wooden and Crystal Mirror
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...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Fontana Arte Attribution, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror; design and production attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s.
Brass
Fontana Arte Orange Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958. We have the same model with a smokey frame available also. Beautiful mirror with an anomic (non-geometrical or organic) orange...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte mirror. Rare.
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare large size wall mirror with brass frame by Fontana Arte. Brass has nice patina Mirror plate has very minimal signs of age.
Brass
Fontana Arte Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958. We have the same mirror available in orange as well. Beautiful mirror with an anomic grey-smokey smooth glass frame and anomic...
Brass
Fontana Arte Blue Glass and Brass Wall Mirror, circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A Fontana Arte blue glass and brass wall mirror; exuding charm and grace in a simple and refined design; with a clear rectangular mirror plate ...
Brass
Fontana Arte mirror with brass frame, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A charming mirror with brass frame, Italian manufacture, Fontana Arte production, 1950s The Fontana Arte brand has always been associated with decorative and lighting elements that ...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wall Mirror, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A rare asymmetrical wall mirror, designed by Max Ingrand and produced for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1958 With a dusty rose / apricot colored asymmetrical glass frame, the floating c...
Brass
1960s Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Grey Glass Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A stunning and rare example of a smokey grey circular glass mirror designed by Max Ingrand and made by Fontana Arte in 1966. The mirror is surrounded by a conclave glass frame in smo...
Art Glass, Mirror
Fontana Arte, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
Model 2014 mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Model 2014 mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Features a floating glass surround with nickel clip details.
Nickel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Shaped Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
A Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare wall mirror, circa 1955 With an elegant curved shape, amber colored crystal and rectangular mirror plate with brass mounts. With its original labe...
Brass
Luigi Fontana Brass Toilette Mirror, Fontana Arte, circa 1940
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Fontana
Located in New York, NY
A brass shaped toilette mirror designed by Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte, circa 1940. With a charming shape and decoration to the crest, with brass feet used for table support and ...
Brass
Two Gio Ponti shape Fontana Arte table or wall mirrors Italy c1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Two Gio Ponti shape Fontana Arte free standing table or wall mirrors. Italy c1950 in very good condition Lovely patina to brass. Mirror in very good condition. Some age but no rea...
Brass
Midcentury Round Wall Glass Mirror by Luigi Fontana for Fontanit, Italy 1950s
By Luigi Fontana, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing round wall mirror by Luigi Fontana for Fontanit. The mirror is made of a concave, green glass frame with the mirror in the centre. Made in Italy in the 1950s. T...
Metal, Chrome
$946Sale Price|61% Off
Mid-century Fontana Arte mirror for Veca with green frame stamp 1960s
By Fontana Arte, VECA
Located in Palermo, IT
This vintage wall mirror, a masterpiece of Italian Mid-Century Modern design, is the result of the prestigious collaboration between Fontana Arte and Veca, dating back to the 1960s. ...
Metal
Mid Century Italian Green Tapered Mirror Attributed to Fontana Arte, c. 1940s
By Luigi Fontana, Fontana Arte
Located in Westport, CT
A lovely modern scalloped and tapered shield shape mirror in a lovely green glass joined with gold leaf water gilded baguettes Origin: Italy, Dating: 1940ca Condition: Very good,...
Art Glass
Large Diamond-Shaped Wall Mirror by Luigi Brusotti for Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Brusotti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A large and rare diamond-shaped wall mirror designed by Luigi Brusotti for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. An extraordinary decorative object that perfectly encapsulates the poetic and m...
Brass
Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte circular mirror blue concave glass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte wall mirror. c1960 Blue concave glass with bevelled mirror and brass surround. Mirror plate in very good condition with minimal age. Blue glass frame w...
Glass, Mirror
Fontana Arte, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
Midcentury Squared Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing squared wall mirror model 2377 mirrored coloured cut glass frame black wood fitting by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy 29 - January - 1965. The original stamp is still visible on the back, as shown in the picture. Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte n°7. Max Ingrand (1908 – 1969) ; Creating forward-thinking and innovative pieces of furniture years before his time, French stained glass designer and decorator Max Ingrand created design classics such as the Fontana table lamp, a bulbous white-painted metal frame with a satin white blown glass shade and globe. The Italian contemporary...
Metal
Max Ingrand Round Orange Smoke Wall Mirror Fontana Arte Model, 1699
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand round orange-smokey mirror for Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy Mid-century We have a similar model available in light blue as well. Handmade elegant orange-smokey colored...
Glass
Mirror with a colored glass frame attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mirror - Art deco style - Italy Measures : 51x4cm H:70cm Art Deco style mirror with a blue beveled edge. Back with a mounting bracket allowing for portrait or landscape orientation....
Mirror, Wood
Max Ingrand Mirror Fontana Arte Round Illuminated Flower, Italy, circa 1964
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare 23" Illuminating mirror with bevelled edges by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, circa 1964 Backlit round petal mirror by the glass artist Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. As every piece by Max Ingrand the delicacy of formal composition and idea of glass and light are stressed radically. The mirror consists of handmade small glass petals radiating around the actual central mirror. The mirror engulfs its surrounding in an intricate play of light and shadow. A beautiful decorative piece in very good original condition by one of the most inventive masters of light/design. Measurements: 23.22" x 3.5" Provenance: derives from a private collection, Milan, Italy. Literature: Domus, December 1956 Luci e trasparenze Fontana Arte 1930...
Glass, Mirror
Fontana Arte Attribution, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror; design and production attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s.
Brass
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror
By Paolo Buffa, Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror. Offered mirror is rectangular in shape and has a beautifully detailed frosted etched design around the interior perimeter of this lovel...
Mirror
20th Century, Fontana Arte Illuminated Wall Mirror 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte was launched in 1932 with a mission to develop products with a more artisanal feel. The Italian design company's offerings range from stained glass to furnishings and li...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Fontana Arte Rare Adjustable Pivoting Brass Vanity Table Mirror, Italy, 1940s
By Luigi Fontana, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte rare exquisite adjustable vanity or table mirror composed of curvaceous shaped brass frame with central top brass scroll decoration resting on a curved stand with decora...
Brass
Max Ingrand Round Blue Mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Mid Century Italy
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 30" Version of a mod.1699 mirror by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, Italy. Max Ingrand round blue mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy, circa 196...
Brass
$6,911Sale Price|25% Off
Gio Ponti Large wall mirror by Fontana Arte from the Hotel Royal, Naples, 1955
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Gio Ponti wall mirror from the original furniture of the hotel Royal Rome, 1955. Manufactured by Fontana Arte. Measures: H 138 cm, 46 x 3.5 Brass, mirror and ash. Designed as a v...
Brass
Asymmetrical Fumè Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A striking asymmetrical wall mirror designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1958, a refined expression of post-war Italian design where glass, light, and geometry converge with p...
Brass
Gio Ponti Table Mirror in Brass and Portoro Gold Marble, Fontana Arte Italy 1950
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century double-sided table mirror in brass and stunning Portoro marble. This unique piece is attributed to Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte and was produced in Italy during...
Marble, Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1930
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1930 A rare and beautiful Italian Art Deco grand-scale wall mirror with a rose gold glass frame, with acanthu...
Cut Glass, Wood
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Rectangular Brass and Glass Mirror Model 2172A
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare rectangular modernist mirror model 2172A composed of exterior brass frame and thick polished beveled colored glass interior frame. This chic model ...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Large Rectangular Mirror Model 2273
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte large rectangular long mirror model 2273 in colored, curved and profiled crystal glass framing mirrored glass with polished wood strips or supports on t...
Glass, Mirror
$2,186 / item
Patinated Brass Fontana Arte Mirror, c.1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Watford, GB
A curvaceous mirror by Fontana Arte in patinated brass, c.1950s. Dimensions: H 40 x W 32 x D 3 cm Material: Mirrored Glass and Brass Condition: Very Good
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Beveled Crystal Mirror
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare and exquisite hourglass shaped crystal beveled mirror with brass mounts, Italy, 1950s. This striking impeccably crafted mirror exudes modernism and ...
Crystal, Brass, Metal
GIO PONTI - FONTANA ARTE - Mirror with brass frame - Made in ITALY 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Clean and elegant line this mirror matchable with all types of furniture , is original from the 50s. The brass frame is perfect and has the patina of time, but if the customer prefer...
Brass
A 20th Century Glass Shield Mirror by Pietro Chiesa
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in London, GB
Italy, circa 1940 An early twentieth century shield form mirror with etched crosshatching to the segmented glass borders, designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Height 107....
Glass
Max Ingrand Round Orange Smoke Wall Mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand round orange-smokey mirror for Fontana Arte, Milan Model 1699, Italy Mid-century; labelled at the reverse of the mirror (date of production) We have an identical model 16...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Oval Green Crystal Mirror Model 2046, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare exquisite oval green crystal mirror model 2046 consisting of a double glass frame of lighter and darker green colored, curved and beveled glass fram...
Metal
$2,272Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Small Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage small wall mirror by Fontana Arte, realized in 1950s. Brass structure. Very good condition.
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Crystal Mirror Model 2085, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare and exquisite shield or ovoid shaped glass mirror model 2046 consisting of a thick beveled blue green colored glass frame suspending the original mi...
Brass
Mod. 1669 Circular Glass Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
A Mod. 1669 circular concave glass mirror designed by Max Ingrand for the Milanese company, Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This beautiful light brown / dark yellow coloured glass example ...
Brass, Chrome
Mirror "1669" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in bruxelles, BE
Italian glass mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Model: 1669 Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Brass
$2,041Sale Price|31% Off
Mirror from Fontana Arte with Square Metal and Mirrored Frame, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. Made in mirror, glass and metal. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and ready to ...
Metal
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Glass Mirror, Italy, circa 1940
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
A Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte etched glass mirror in a stunning aqua color. The scalloped shaped form is segmented with etched glass motif and decorated with crystal rosettes. The inner oval mirror plate is surrounded by a braided brass molded decoration with the outer molding also in brass, supported by a carved wood backing. All original. Designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, circa 1940 Size: 27 1/2" high x 22" wide x 1" deep Pietro Chiesa (born 1892, Milan–died 1948...
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Round Fontana Arte Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Round Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, 1960s Designer Biography : "Max Ingrand was born in 1908 ...
Glass
Fontana Arte Copper Framed Mirror, Italy, circa 1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A rare copper framed trapezoid shaped mirror made by Fontana Arte, circa 1940. The frame is widest at the top and tapers toward the base. Of very simple and elegant form. Of grand...
Copper
Max Ingrand mirror Fontana Arte sculpture Butterfly shape mid-century.
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
Fountain art mirror to be positioned in two ways with wings, downward, upward to your liking. The side parts include a unique bevel for objects machined from max magnitude. Talk abou...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
Pair of Italian Murano Glass, Shield Form Mirrors, Max Ingrand & Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Mirrors attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. These exquisite pieces combine a timeless neoclassical shield b...
Mirror, Murano Glass
Vanity Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare table Mirror with rose colored glass by Max Ingrand. Manufactured by Fontana Arte, Milan, Italy circa 1950s.
Brass
Fontana Arte Art Deco Mirrored Console Italian Circa 1930
By Fontana Arte
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco mirrored console by Fontana Arte Milano with original decorated glass depicting Diana the Huntress. Mirrored console over a gilt carved...
Travertine
Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Oval Glass Mirror or Plateau or Tray
By Fontana Arte
Located in Manhasset, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Oval Glass Wall Mirror or Mirrored Plateau Tray A stunning rare and important wall mirror or mirrored pla...
Glass, Mirror
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Oval Blue Crystal Mirror Model 2046, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare exquisite oval blue crystal mirror model 2046 consisting of a double glass frame of lighter and darker blue colored, curved and beveled glass framin...
Metal
Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Catania, IT
A Mod. 1669 circular concave glass mirror designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This beautiful light brown / dark yellow coloured glass example has a chromed brass su...
Art Glass
FONTANA ARTE MIRROR BRASS WOOD GLASS 1940 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional Wall or Console Mirror Della Fontana Arte 1940. Brass edge with The oxidation of years on request can be polished to new.
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Model '1699' Circular Wall Mirror, Italy, circa 1963
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand, for Fontana Arte Model '1699' circular wall mirror in an elegant rose tinted glass with mounted round clear glass mirror in the center, surrounded in brass molding. The...
Brass
$2,315Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Square Mirror by Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Square Mirror by Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s. Little defects lower left, otherwise very good condition. cm. 65×3×65
Metal