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.
Gae Aulenti Tavolo Con Ruote Low Glass Coffee Table on Casters for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Gae Aulenti, this low coffee table consists of a tempered glass top supported by four black industrial wheels and was produced by Fontana Arte and imported by Luminaire. ...
Steel
Fontana Arte, Coffee Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass coffee table, model 2461, designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.5"H x 50....
Glass, Walnut
Fontana Arte, Side Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass side table designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Minor scuffing to legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.7"H x 22.5"W x 18.5"D All items s...
Glass, Walnut
Fontana Arte, Coffee Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and crystal glass coffee table, model 2461, designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s.
Glass, Walnut
Max ingrand coffee tables - mid-century art fountain 1958's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand coppia tavolini bassi Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s-1960s wooden base and interlocking shaped crystal top. Side tables feature circular glass tops beveled, characterized b...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti, Glass Top, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern coffee table ( tavolo con route ) from Gae Aulenti, the original for Fontana Arte, with glass top and swivel wheels in good condition. The Italian indust...
Glass, Rubber
Fontana Arte Glass Coffee Table 1970, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful geometric all Glass and Chrome Coffee table . Architectural Deign . so stylish . Good condition . Fontana Arte 1970s Italy
Glass
Mid-century 'Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Duilio Barnabè' coffee table.
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Palermo, IT
Small table designed in 1958 by the great master of Crystal ''Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and painted by Duilio Bernabè known as Dubè.'' Duilio Barnabè, known artistically as Dubé, ...
Crystal
$8,404Sale Price / item|20% Off
Teso Glass Table Designed by Renzo Piano in 1985 for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Renzo Piano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Renzo Piano made his design debut with a coordinated line of furnishing systems for Fontana Arte, using only one material: Glass, symbol of the company’s production history. Availabl...
Glass
Mid-Century Coffee Table Model 1774 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italy, 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Coffee Table by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italy, circa 1958 This coffee table, manufactured in Italy by Fontana Arte, is the Model 1774, designed by Max Ingrand aroun...
Mirror
Fontana Arte coffee table made in Italy 1952
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare and exquisite coffee table, designed and crafted by Fontana Arte in Italy in 1952, is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Fontana Arte, a prestigious Italian d...
Glass, Walnut
$2,266Sale Price / item|20% Off
Tavolo Con Ruote Low Table with Glass Top by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An Industrial trolley used at the Fontana Arte plant to transport glass: This was the object that inspired Gae Aulenti to design her Tavolo con Ruote. Thi...
Glass
Rare Art Deco Modernist Cocktail Table By Pietro Chiesa by Fontana Italia C.1940
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Bernville, PA
Exceptional and Rare cocktail table by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Italia circa 1940. Beautifully done silvered metal over brass, etched glass and mirrored top with a compass ...
Brass, Chrome
Max Ingrand Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Mod. 1774, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Coffee table manufactured in Italy by Fontana Art, Model 1774, designed by Max Ingrand, circa 1958. The base is from curved blackened iron with solid brass profiles attached to the l...
Brass, Iron
Max Ingrand, Coffee Table, Green Convex Glass, Metal, Brass, Fontana Arte, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A green convex glass, metal and brass coffee table, model 1774, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958.
Brass, Metal
Mirrored Crystal Glass Coffee Table by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960 ca
By Fontana Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Coffee table with a polished wood base and grey mirrored crystal glass top designed by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960 ca. The table present four cylindric legs with brass detail in the e...
Crystal
Fontana Arte Midcentury Glass Wood Consolle Dining Table, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design large consolle or dining table designed and produced by Fontana Arte with wooden top and footrest and thick, ground glass legs, made in Italy in the ...
Glass, Wood
$9,108Sale Price / item|20% Off
Tour Table with Glass Top Designed by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tour is the evolution of the table with wheels. Again with wheels, but in this case taken from bicycles, it was a surprising piece. The beveled float glass top, 0.6" thick, rests on four pivoting wheels attached to four stainless steel plates...
Glass
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Glass Table mod. 1817/1
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...
Crystal, Brass
Beveled Murano Glass Sofa Table by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1955
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern French, Italian sofa table made of hand blown beveled Murano glass. Attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, possibly a unique commission or prototype, Circa 1955 - 1960, Milan, Italy. The detailed etched coffee table is supported by a gold colored metal frame, standing on four round feet. Wear consistent with age and use. Maurice Max-Ingrand, better known as Max Ingrand was a French artist, designer and decorator born in 1908, in Bressuire, France and passed away in 1969, in Paris. Ingrand studied in Paris at the French University École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. During this time, he was educated by the well-know French glass artists Jaques Grüber...
Metal
Coffee Table by Fontana Arte, Model 2461, Italy, 1968
By Fontana Arte
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular coffee table on a substructure of dark brown stained beech covered with a thick glass pane. The struts consist of u-shaped profiled wooden slats.
Glass, Wood
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Crystal Coffee Table, 1930
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...
Crystal
20th Century Fontana Arte Coffee Table Model 2461 in Wood and Glass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Low table or coffee table model number 2461 designed by Fontana Arte in 1960s. The table has a very modern and particular structure totally in wood, where the main theme is the celeb...
Glass, Wood
Coffee Table by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful coffee table was designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in 1956. The elegant brass legs support the rectangle crystal...
Brass
$16,006Sale Price|60% Off
Rare Pietro Chiesa Large Glass Dining Table for Fontana Arte, circa 1940
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
Large glass dining table designed by Pietro Chiesa and manufactured by Fontana Arte, Milano, circa 1940 extremely rare and important monument...
Bronze
1990s Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte Tavolo Con Ruote Glass Coffee Table 47"
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tavolo Con Ruote coffee table, originally designed by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte in 1980. This particular example was produced in Italy and dates back to the 1990s. The t...
Metal
$3,309Sale Price / item|20% Off
"Tavolino 1932" Coffee Table Designed by Gio' Ponti for FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tavolino 1932" is a classic coffee table, originally designed by Gio' Ponti in 1932 and manufactured by FontanaArte, made of two 0.59" th. discs of float glass and featuring a frame in polished nickel plated brass. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: Ø 24", H. 24" GIO' PONTI, right from the start, was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design as an eclectic character. He graduated from Milan Polytechnic in 1920 and was art director for Richard Ginori from 1923-1930. In 1926, with editor Gianni Mazzocchi, he founded the magazine Domus, staying on as editor until his death. He was invited to take over the art direction of Luigi Fontana in 1931 and in 1932 he founded FontanaArte with Pietro Chiesa. He was one of the promoters of the Compasso d’Oro Award and a founder member of the ADI (Italian association for industrial design), as well as curating programmes for the Milan Triennale on many events and teaching at Milan Polytechnic. He designed numerous famous public and private buildings, including the houses in Via De Togni, the tower-house in Corso Venezia, offices for RAI and Ferrania, the Littoria tower in Parco Sempione, the Pirelli skyscraper in Milan, Taranto Cathedral, Villa Planchart in Caracas and Denver Museum of Modern Art. In the field of design he created timeless furniture, lighting and objects for FontanaArte, as well as the Superleggera chair and furniture for Cassina, Christofle cutlery and Richard Ginori china.
Brass, Nickel
Italian Midcentury Wall-Mounted Glass and Brass Console Table by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Original and documented mid-century glass and brass console table manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy in the 1950s. The elliptical console table has its original light turquoise-c...
Brass
Gio Ponti & Pietro Chiesa Side Table Set 2 by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Milano, MI
Rare pair of side tables by Gio Ponti & Pietro Chiesa produced by Fontana Arte. Petite pair of tables with compass legs and angled mirror tops. Wood h...
Mirror, Wood
$9,800Sale Price|21% Off
Carved Mahogany Legs & Glass Top Side Table by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte ca.1952
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Geneva, CH
Beveled crystal glass top and carved mahogany legs side table by Max Ingrand produced by Fontana Arte, Italy ca. 1952 Good vintage condition. L 54.5 x D 41.5 x H 41.5 cm Literature ...
Glass, Mahogany
Fontana Arte fiberglass and glass coffee table model 2542, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare coffee table model 2542 by Fontana Arte combines contrasting yet complementary materials: fiberglass and crystal. This unusual combination, characterized by their plastic vers...
Glass, Fiberglass
Dube 'Duilio Barnabe' Coffe Table for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950's
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Dube for Fontana Arte. Duilio Barnabe (1914-1961) A stunning Fontana Arte coffee table, with chiseled edge back painted glass top by Duilio Barnabe in ri...
Art Glass
$3,269Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fontana Glass Table Designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1932 for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Pietro Chiesa, it was an extraordinary piece of essentiality and elegance. This coffee table is made from a double curved single piece of thick glass (15 mm). Available i...
Glass
Orio Side Table by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Weesp, NL
Orio Side Table for Fontana Arte – A Timeless Postmodern Masterpiece Step into the refined world of 1980s Italian design with this Orio side table, a rare and elegant creation for F...
Iron
Green Glass Table by Duiliu Barnabé / Fontana Arte, c.a. 1960
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare and sophisticated low table by mid century painter Duilio "Dubé" Barnabé. It's heavy glass top has chiseled edges and behind glass painting. ...
Brass, Steel
$3,295Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte Blue Mirrored Glass Wood and Brass Serving Trolley, Signed
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and refined food trolley by Fontana Arte, signed, from the 1950s, Italy. The trolley is beautifully crafted in various elements. We find two shelves to place various objects....
Brass
Low Glass Table by Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, 1948
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
Chic round low table with black lacquered, wooden legs. Manufactured by Fontana Arte, designed by Pietro Chiesa. The glass plate is original.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Brass, Chrome & Glass Console / Sofa Table, Willy Rizzo
By Fontana Arte, Maison Jansen, Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern brass, chrome and smoked green glass console / sofa table in the style of Willy Rizzo for Maison Jansen, circa 1970 with the smoked glass by Fontana Arte. This double tier console...
Brass, Chrome
Fontana Arte refined coffee table with thick blue glass top
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte Milan Very refined coffee table with metal structure and thick blue cut glass top. Fontana Arte Milan, around 1960.
Glass
Tavolino Curvo 2633 - Large Curved Coffee Table by Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Firmato da Pietro Chiesa,rappresenta per l’epoca un pezzo straordinario per essenzialità ed eleganza. È un tavolino ricavato dalla doppia curvatura di una unica lastra di grosso spes...
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Modernist Coffee Table Model 2013, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare modernist coffee table model 2013 with original rectangular crystal glass and central mirrored glass top resting on lacquered brass base with conica...
Brass, Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Bar Cart or Serving Trolley, circa 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Max Ingrand Bar Cart or Serving Trolley, model 2246 made by Fontana Arte, Milan, Italy, circa 1960 brass, smoked glass 59.5cm high, 61.5cm diameter This stylish bar cart designed by...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Orio Coffee Table by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Pierluigi Cerri
Located in Renens, CH
Minimalist designed Orio side table by the architect and designer Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, 1970s: The base of this table is made of cast iron with a metal stem and a rare, b...
Metal
Fontana Arte Table Mod.1736
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Red Lion, PA
This beautiful coffee table is designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Model 1736 Italy, 1950s This table is made with a beautiful green colored glass with metal and brass. You ...
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte Designed Glass Table
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern glass table with tubular connecting rods. Please confirm location.
Glass
Table basse italienne carrée vintage Fontana Arte en bois verre fumé années 70
By Fontana Arte
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Table basse carrée vintage des années 70, modèle attribué à la marques italienne Fontana Arte, très beau design du piétement en bois de hêtre style teck, plateau carré en verre fumé,...
Smoked Glass, Wood
Tavolino Curvo 2633 - Small Curved Coffee Table by Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Firmato da Pietro Chiesa,rappresenta per l’epoca un pezzo straordinario per essenzialità ed eleganza. È un tavolino ricavato dalla doppia curvatura di una unica lastra di grosso spes...
Glass
Duilio Barnabé Dubé Retro-Painted Glass Coffee Table Blue Green Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Barnabe
Located in Milano, IT
Rare painted glass coffee table by Duilio Barnabé, made in Italy by Fontana Arte Glass makers, circa 1958. Featuring a black painted metal and brass base, it supports a thick, curved...
Metal
Metal and Glass Coffee table by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Red Lion, PA
Black lacquered metal and grey mirrored glass top mod. 2001 coffee table by Max Ingrand - Circa 1960 Edition Fontana Arte
Metal
"Orio" Coffee Tables by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, 1980s
By Pierluigi Cerri, Fontana Arte
Located in Renens, CH
This pair of "Orio" side tables was designed by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte in the 1980s. Minimalist and of remarkable quality, the "Orio" side table is timelessly elegant. I...
Metal, Iron
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Coffee Table, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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, Wood
1950's Duilio Barnabé Dubé Fontana Arte Painted Eglomise Glass Coffee Table
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Barnabe
Located in Milano, IT
This rare round coffee table was designed by Duilio “Dubè” Bernabè and produced by Fontana Arte, in Milan, circa 1958. The tabletop is made of ground crystal glass, and then reverse-painted using the églomisé technique. The design features bold, expressive brushstrokes forming leaf motifs in shades of green, magenta, and bright blue over a soft grey background—creating a vibrant yet sophisticated composition. The base is composed of slender, black-painted metal legs with elegant brass feet, giving the table a light and sculptural presence. Signed "Dubè Fontana Arte...
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand Minimalistic Two Tier Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Max Ingrand Minimalistic Two-Tier Coffee Table with Blue And Clear Glass Tops Model 2147 Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte No. 6 p. 131
Metal
Postmodern Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart, Circa 1980s
By Franco Raggi, Fontana Arte
Located in Peabody, MA
A postmodern drinks trolley by the Milanese designer Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte, circa 1980s.
Glass, Acrylic
$9,500
Fontana Arte Glass Table
By Fontana Arte
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful glass tripod table by Fontana Arte—Italy, circa 1950s. Curved wooden frame, brass joints, and tripod angled legs. Original glass with unique rough cut edge Incredible ...
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Coffee Table, Italy, circa 1956
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Coffee table on four forked brass legs supporting the slightly rounded glass top. The table was designed in 1956 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte.
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Glass Coffee Table Model 1870/1circa 1950
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chicago, IL
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte beveled glass with lacquered metal legs terminating in darkly patinated brass. Model 1970/1 c 1950. The incredible piece of Fontana Arte beveled glass is...
Brass
Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Glass, Brass and Iron, Italy, 1958 Max Ingrand designed this coffee table to study materia...
Brass
Fontana Arte Consolle Brass Glass, 1950, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Glass
Italian wood and mirrror coffee table by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Brama Wooden Coffee Table by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1970s Elegant and sophisticated, this Brama coffee table, designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte in the 1970s...
Brass