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Fornasetti Furniture

The Italian artist, illustrator and furniture maker Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative design talents of the 20th century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and — most frequently, and in some 500 variations — an enigmatic woman’s face based on that of the 19th-century opera singer Lina Cavalieri. Fornasetti used transfer prints of these images, rendered in the style of engravings, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that ranged from chairs, tables and desks to dinner plates, lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often surreal and always fun.

Fornasetti was born in Milan, the son of an accountant, and he lived his entire life in the city. He showed artistic talent as a child and enrolled at Milan’s Brera Academy of Fine Art in 1930, but was expelled after two years for consistently failing to follow his professors’ orders. A group of his hand-painted silk scarves, displayed in the 1933 Triennale di Milano, caught the eye of the architect and designer Gio Ponti, who, in the 1940s, became Fornasetti’s collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking a series of desks, bureaus and secretaries that pair Ponti’s signature angular forms with Fornasetti’s decorative motifs — lighthearted arrangements of flowers and birds on some pieces, austere architectural imagery on others. The two worked together on numerous commissions for interiors, though their greatest project has been lost: the first-class lounges and restaurants of the luxury ocean liner Andrea Doria, which sank in 1956.

Fornasetti furnishings occupy an unusual and compelling niche in the decorative arts: they are odd yet pack a serious punch. They act, essentially, as functional sculpture. A large Fornasetti piece such as a cabinet or a desk can change the character of an entire room; his smaller works have the aesthetic power of a vase of flowers, providing a bright and alluring decorative note. The chimerical, fish-nor-fowl nature of Fornasetti’s work may be its greatest strength. It stands on its own. Bringing the Fornasetti look into the future is Barnaba Fornasetti, who took the reins of the company after his father's death.

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Creator: Fornasetti
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #77
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the crying face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.77 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative matchbox with an interior comprised of a metal sliding tray, the exterior enameled with classical gates of Rome / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox
$1,050 Sale Price
30% Off
Set of 6 Astronomici Tea Cups
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
This set of hand-decorated porcelain tea cups with gold accents is adorned with exquisite zodiac designs, making this ensemble a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies betwee...
Category

2010s Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 114 Profile Themes Variation
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series. This striki...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #281
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri on a nude female torso, no.281 / made in Milano Italy circa ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
By Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The Italian artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest, most imaginative design talents of the 20th Century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and, most frequently, an enigmatic woman’s face. Fornasetti used...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

FORNASETTI Zodiac Libra Print
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti "Libra" silk screen print on masonite / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches / Depth: 1 inch 1 available...
Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Paper

FORNASETTI Zodiac Libra Print
FORNASETTI Zodiac Libra Print
$385 Sale Price
30% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated in various musical instruments (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original lab...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
Fornasetti paper weight with NATO phonetic alphabet with pen rest
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with pen holder. With the phonetic alphabet o as in Oscar P as in Papa Q as in Quebeck etc..
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti hand painted decorative plate, "Tema e Variazioni" 78, made in Italy
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Have you ever wondered who's the woman that appears on the iconic Fornasetti plates? You might believe she's just an imaginary muse, dreamed by Piero Fornasetti. Turns out, she's way...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Fornasetti Curved Cabinet Architettura Black and White Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The curved cabinet shape was designed by Barnaba Fornasetti in 2003 and now it can be considered one of the most iconic pieces of furniture in the Itali...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

FORNASETTI Zodiac Cancer Print
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti "Cancer" silk screen print on masonite / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches / Depth: 1 inch 1 availabl...
Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Paper

FORNASETTI Zodiac Cancer Print
FORNASETTI Zodiac Cancer Print
$385 Sale Price
30% Off
Piero Fornasetti Boxer Umbrella Stand
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Piero Fornasetti Boxer Umbrella Stand A whimsical example. Late 1970s/80s example
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Astronomici Teapot
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Refined zodiac motifs cover this elegant hand-decorated porcelain teapot with gold accents, turning an everyday object into a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies between s...
Category

2010s Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare & Stunning Decorative Set Of Six Fornasetti Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Portlaoise, IE
This extraordinary and highly collectible set of six porcelain plates is from the iconic Giornali (Newspapers) series by the legendary Italian design house, Fornasetti. Designed by P...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Oggi Maria Pia newspaper table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 198...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
Fornasetti Italy bulls eye convex round mirror brass mid century ring hook
By Fornasetti
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Unusual round multi convex mirror - brass frame with round ring holder... signed with back gold sticker
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Piero Fornasetti, mod. 187 "Theme and Variations" series plate, Fornasetti 1960
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Mod. 187 "Theme and Variations" series serigraphed porcelain plate Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, ca. 1960 Serigraphed porcelain. Diam: 25.5 cm Marked Conditions: Excellent, no...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 Custom Commissioned Plates by Piero Fornasetti for Fleming Joffe Ltd
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
A rare collection of 12 custom commissioned plates made by Piero Fornasetti for New York small leather goods company, Fleming Joffe Ltd. in the 196...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1960s by Piero Fornasetti for Testa Studio Advertising Plate
By Fornasetti
Located in Brescia, IT
Piero Fornasetti by Armando Testa Studio Very rare and limited series, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with cameos on red background (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original labe...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
$3,850 Sale Price / set
30% Off
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Limited Edition Print 1/100
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" 1/100 limited edition print depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri / made in Milano Italy, 1998 Width: 14 inches / Height: ...
Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Paper

Fornasetti Porcelain Surrealist Themes & Variation Plate, #260
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti porcelain Surrealist Themes & Variation plate #260, The Snail, Atelier Fornasetti The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts a surreal depic...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1960s Set of Six Fornasetti Tea Cups and Saucers White and Gold Ceramic Signed
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A good vintage Set of six Fornasetti porcelain tea/coffee cups and saucers with geometrical gold decor. Each cup and saucer bearing the signature and logo. Made in Italy ca.1960s ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Consolle Facciata Quattrocentesca Red / Black Handcrafted Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The Fornasetti console is a wooden storage piece of furniture silkscreened and laquered by hand following the Atelier's traditional method. The m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Piero Fornasetti, Posacenere, prod. Fornasetti Milano anni '60
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Raro posacenere alto in metallo serigrafato disegnato da Piero Fornasetti e prodotto da Fornasetti Milano negli anni '60 Ottime condizioni di conservazione Fornasetti nasce nella fi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Piero Fornasetti Cammei Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage pair of Mid-Century Modern Cameo off-white lamps designed in the 1960s by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression, Piero Forna...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

Piero Fornasetti, Mid Century Modern, Magazine Rack, Lacquer, Metal, Italy 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in Manhasset, NY
Piero Fornasetti, Mid Century Modern, Magazine Rack, Lacquer, Metal, Italy 1960s A rare Piero Fornasetti labeled and numbered no. 1 of 98 having a lacquered metal and brass form. Th...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Decorative Ceramic Cat Bitossi Fiorato, Gold Flowers on Turquoise
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
A coveted collector’s item as early as the 1950s, Fornasetti cats surprise with the sophisticated decorations that colour their surroundings with sheer ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Rare Vintage Matador & Bull Porcelain Dinner Plates Set of Six
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These wonderful hard to find and hard to come by complete set of RARE wonderful bullfight black and white vintage Mid-Century Modern porcelain dinner plates are the genius work and i...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Milano 'Fiori' Pattern Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve, circa 1965
By Fornasetti
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An incredibly rare set of 12 large porcelain dinner plates in the 'Fiori' pattern designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti - Milano, circa 1965. There are two plates o...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Rectangular Box with Smoking Motif
By Fornasetti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Fornasetti long, rectangular, box with a charming illustration of three pipes. Hand colored Lithography on metal. Exterior metal box slides over a metal interior box, powder coated...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Tin

Vintage Piero Fornasetti Vide Poche or Trinket Dish
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic small dish which could be used as a Vide Poche, catchall, jewelry tray, etc designed by Piero Fornasetti. Great musical theme and very good condition.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Handmade Decorative Centrepiece Rosone Black White Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The art of the table is manifested in this hand-decorated porcelain centrepiece with gold accents: Fornasetti's unmistakable decorative style makes it a true collector's item. Any...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Bighe Red & Black MidCentury Table Lamp, Italy, 1950s
By Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
A red and black cylindrical table or side lamp from the 1950s, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Atelier Fornasetti, Milan, Italy. Crafted from metal and brass, the lamp features lith...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Catchall Arturo Toscanini in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Porcelain catchall/ashtray by Piero Fornasetti - Milano The 1950s-1960s The large ceramic tray or ashtray depicts the poster of Toscanini' Concert. "This is the poster of the inaugu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Frame with Convex Mirror Farfalle Butterflies Color on White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Like all Fornasetti accessories, the mirrors turn an everyday action into an aesthetic experience. Measures: Ø28 cm. This mirror frame is handcrafted using original artisan techni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Set of six plates, design Piero FORNASETTI Clematites series. Milan, 1950s
By Fornasetti
Located in Torino, IT
Set of six plates, design Piero FORNASETTI clematites series. ORIGIN Milan PERIOD 1950s DESIGNER Piero FORNASETTI MARK Fornasetti - Milan MODEL Series dishes Clematites MATERIA...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 333
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series, reinterpret...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

20th Century Italian Round Umbrella & Stick Stand By Piero Fornasetti c.1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A vintage 20th Century Italian metal stick stand, designed by Piero Fornasetti, features a unique design with umbrellas and sticks encircling the outer cover. The interior is painted...
Category

20th Century Italian Other Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Grande Antico Gold Cocktail Plate by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage gilt decorated GRANDE ANTICO porcelain plate by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milano Italy circa 1950s Original mark on the back Diameter 9.5 inches, height 1 inch 1 available i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set 12 Porcelain Plates Eva Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Eva. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Astrolabe Plate, Number 5
By Fornasetti
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
The Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate depicts an astrolabe, it is number five of twelve in series. This is a very rare edition with the special mark on the back side "La Production I...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Fornasetti Oggetti Con Nastro Wastebasket / Trash Can
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful example of this form. This example was deaccessioned from the Fornasetti Archives. Original surface is very nice.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti ‘Alsatian Dog’ Umbrella Stand
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A wonderfully fun umbrella stand by the creative designer, Piero Fornasetti. One of many dogs that Piero featured on his umbrella stands, this example portrays an Alsatian dog...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set 12 Porcelain Plates Adamo Black/White/Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Adamo. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Set of Six Strumenti Musicali Plates, 1950s-1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti set of six strumenti musicali plates 1950s-1960s. The plates each depict a different selection of stringed instruments including guitars and lutes on a faux bois...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Piero Fornasetti, Vintage Plate from the Series of Church Domes Cupole d'Italia
By Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Decorated porcelain Plate number 5 from the series Cupole d’Italia: Cupola di San Lorenzo a Torino. Each plate with a different dome of an Italian church seen from the inside named and numbered on the reverse. These plates were designed and executed for building contractor Andrea Brenta, Milan, as Christmas presents...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 5 Small Plate or Coasters in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti, Italy 1950s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury a set of five beautiful black and white small plates or coasters in porcelain displaying drawn animals with money (snail, dog, hen, turtl...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Milano "Musicalia" Gilt Coasters Set of 4, Italy for Bonwit Teller
By Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
Fornasetti Milano "Musicalia" Gilt Coasters Set of 4, Italy for Bonwit Teller Offered for sale is a set of four Mid-century Modern Fornasetti Milano "Musicalia" coasters made in Ita...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer porcelain plate. By Fornasetti. From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni) Model no. 218. With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare oranges aluminum Tray Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, ca. 1955 Serigraphed metal. Label not present H 4.5 cm x 39 x 51 cm Bibliography: Mariuccia Casadio, Barnaba Fornasett...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set 12 Porcelain Plates Adamo Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Adamo. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Round Tray Città di Carte Hand-Colored on Metal
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Like all Fornasetti accessories, the tray is handcrafted using original artisan techniques. This tray is silk-screened by hand, painted by hand and covered with a smooth lacquer. Mea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti Commedia Dell'arte Maschere Italiane Porcelain Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti set of four Porcelain Commedia Dell'arte Maschere Italiane Porcelain lates, Italian Masks, circa 1970s Each plate depicts a character from the Commedia Dell'ar...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Cushion Abbaglio from the Series Tema e Variazioni Cotton
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The Fornasetti cushions will add to each room an unexpected detail thanks to the most iconic Italian atelier designs. The decoration features t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Cotton

FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #14
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri through a keyhole, no.14 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960 O...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Sole Chair by Piero Fornasetti for Fornasetti Milano
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in the 1950s, the Sole Chair by Piero Fornasetti features a repeating radiant sun motif (a transferred lithographic print). In this ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Beech, Birch

Fornasetti Themes & Variation Porcelain Plate, Number 200
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Themes & Variation Porcelain Plate with Original White Box, Number 200, The Statue, 1990s The Fornasetti porcelain plate is number 200 in the Themes & Variation series. ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Fornasetti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Fornasetti furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 143 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 53 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Fornasetti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Richard Ginori, Alfredo Barbini, and La Murrina. Prices for Fornasetti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $274 and can go as high as $32,216, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,614.
Questions About Fornasetti Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Fornasetti plates are hand-made in Italy. They continue a tradition of excellent craftsmanship that goes back to founder Piero Fornasetti, who established the atelier during the 1950s. Shop antique and modern Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Fornasetti is an art design company that produces furniture and home accessories decorated by hand. Piero Fornasetti established the company in Milan, Italy, during the 1950s as his atelier. As of December 2021, his son, Barnaba Fornasetti, heads the company. You'll find a selection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    The style of Fornasetti is mid-century modern. The Italian artist and designer crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal library of images rendered in transfer print engravings, including birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and an enigmatic woman's face, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that range from chairs, tables and decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti art, furniture and decorative objects.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Piero Fornasetti was an Italian artist and designer born in Milan, Italy, in 1913. In 1950, he founded an atelier in the city, creating furniture and home decorations. Fornasetti died on October 9, 1988. His company, Fornasetti, continues to produce hand-decorated decor under the guidance of his son Barnaba Fornasetti. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    You can buy Fornasetti directly from the brand's online store. In addition, numerous brick-and-mortar retailers around the world carry Fornasetti pieces. You can also shop for the brand's furniture and home décor on multiple online platforms. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    How you display Fornasetti plates is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to rest them flat on a low table or shelf, while others position them upright on plate stands. You can also thread string or twine through the two holes found on the back of every piece and display it as wall art. Find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To burn a Fornasetti candle, first trim the wick to remove any soot. Then, light the candle and allow it to burn for up to three hours. Use a snuffer to extinguish the candle, as blowing out the flame can disturb the wax. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Opera singer Natalina ‘Lina’ Cavalieri is the face that inspired Piero Fornasetti throughout his artistic career, from his plates to wallpaper and more. Lina Cavalieri was known as the most beautiful woman in the world during her lifetime from 1874-1944. It was eight years after Cavalieri’s death that Fornasetti came across her image in a magazine and was thereby inspired to replicate it repetitively. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    The style of art by Fornasetti varied. His use of whimsical motifs has often led his artwork to be associated with Surrealism, while his use of repetitive imagery, like in his many prints featuring opera singer Lina Cavalieri, skewed toward Pop art. As a designer, his works reflected mid-century modern sensibilities with a playful twist. Explore a collection of Piero Fornasetti art and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, each and every Fornasetti design is hand made and hand painted. The colors are expertly applied by painters, ensuring no two items are alike. You’ll find a variety of Fornasetti designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To hang Fornasetti plates, thread a length of string through the two small holes found on the tops of their backs. Tie the string in a secure knot and then hang from a nail, screw or hook. Avoid using plate hanger hardware, as it could crack or damage the plates. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Piero Fornasetti is famous for his work as a designer. The Italian artist was one of the wittiest and most imaginative talents of the 20th century. Fornasetti crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and — most frequently, and in some 500 variations — an enigmatic woman's face based on that of opera singer Lina Cavalieri. Fornasetti used transfer prints of these images, rendered in the style of engravings, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that ranged from chairs, tables and decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often Surrealist and always fun. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti pieces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not Piero Fornasetti images are in the public domain depends on the image. The artist produced more than 11,000 works during his lifetime. Only some no longer carry a copyright and are in the public domain. Shop a range of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    No, every Fornasetti porcelain figurine is handmade. In fact, the brand produces all of their home decorative items by hand at their workshop in Milan, Italy. If you see indications that a figurine came from a factory, it is likely not an authentic Fornasetti. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Fornasetti on 1stDibs.

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