Skip to main content

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.

to
8
157
70
157
54
19
107
69
2
1
1
156
73
95
39
1
33
27
5
10
6
109
73
63
44
12
226
220
4
1
230
195
200
117
10,082
3,941
2,540
2,239
Creator: Fornasetti
Fornasetti paper weight with NATO phonetic alphabet with pen rest
By Piero Fornasetti, 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 Silk Cushion Sardine Fishes on Blue
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. Cushion cover material: S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Silk

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 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, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Fornasetti, Piero 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

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Marbalia Large Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass
By WonderGlass, Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by the iconic Italian decorative firm, Atelier Fornasetti, Through The Clouds takes inspiration from daydreaming. Delicate glass clouds float above the viewer, suggesting di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 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

FORNASETTI Umbrella Stand
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian metal umbrella stand, featuring a design of casa con colonne on the outer cover. The interior is green, and the top is accented with a brass rim, with original alumin...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti Tray Holder Black
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 25 x 60 cm wood tray. The image shows the tray on its holder (the tray is not included in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful large table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives ...
Category

20th Century Italian Other Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Plexiglass

Fornasetti Tray Holder Tray Black Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 40 cm diameter metal round tray.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Cylindrical Lamp Base Comme Des Fornà, Black White Red
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The cylindrical shape allows Fornasetti's imagination to create surprising decorative effects in which the shapes follow one another endlessly. The architectural design makes this hand-silkscreened metal lamp base...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Table Cammei Blue on Sponged Brown, Column Base, Vintage
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
A Fornasetti table is the perfect synthesis of the artist's vision: a perfect balance of functional design and visionary illustrations that bring new meaning to a common object. Like all Fornasetti pieces of furniture, it is handcrafted using original artisan techniques. This table is silk-screened by hand, hand painted and covered with a smooth lacquer. Cammei decoration is inspired by one of the collections of Piero Fornasetti. This decoration combines Piero's interests about history, collecting and classic culture. The atelier often uses this decoration for its most popular pieces: from screens to ashtrays, from lamps to trays, plates and paper baskets This table is published on several books among which Piero Fornasetti. Fornasetti the complete Universe, Rizzoli NY. Also a copy of the same table...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare Vintage Mid-20th Century Limited edition Fornasetti Umbrella Stand
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
This highly decorative piece is in excellent condition and a rare subject depicting bags & light luggage from the mid-20th century. There is also an image showing the limited edition...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Six Iconic "Julia" Plates by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six "Julia" displaying porcelain plates with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Variations”). These plates were m...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern 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

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Marbalia Small Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass
By WonderGlass, Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by the iconic Italian decorative firm, Atelier Fornasetti, Through The Clouds takes inspiration from daydreaming. Delicate glass clouds float above the viewer, suggesting di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Fornasetti, Rosenthal
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

Piero Fornasetti N 8 Coaster Ceramic 1950
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti.
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

"Architecture" Table Lamp by Piero Fornasetti (Original), Italy 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Argelato, BO
"Architecture" table lamp in brass and metal by Piero Fornasetti (Original), Italy, 1980s Work of the great Italian graphic genius Piero Fornasetti, the "Architettura" lamp represen...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Fornasetti Table Top Bocca Red Lips Hand Colored, Wooden Legs
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
A Fornasetti table is the perfect synthseis of the artist's vision: a perfect balance of functional design and visionary illustrations that bring new meaning to a common object. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small and rare box signed Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milan, 1960s Classic screen-printed decoration. Useful as a pocket emptier
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Fornasetti Cushion Chiave Key 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

Cylindrical Handmade Black Pleated Silk Lampshade
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This cylindrical lampshade in silk with a metal frame is the ideal complement to create, together with the base, a lamp that becomes an art object. Any minor discrepancies between...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fornasetti paper weight 1962 Zodiac calendar
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with Zodiac calendar c1962
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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

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

Piero Fornasetti, Ashtrays, prod. Fornasetti Milan 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare tall screen-printed metal ashtray designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti Milano in the 1960s Excellent condition Fornasetti was born in the fibrillating post-W...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Fornasetti Duck Ceramic 1960 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti duck ceramic 1960! Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Table Lamps Model Julia by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of table lamps model Julia by Fornasetti, sticker on the base, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti ‘Opera’ decorative dishes, vintage pair (ashtrays, wall decorations)
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Piero Fornasetti, Italy (designer) 'Melodramma' (Opera) series decorative dishes, (dishes, ashtrays, wall decorations) No.2: Pollione (Norma by Vincenzo Bellini) No.21: Otello (Ote...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti "Nummus" Green Porcelain Plate Mid-Century Modern
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Fornasetti plate is numbered three and is from the collection of the Roman coin series. All hallmarked on the back. This is a ver...
Category

1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti porcelain plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "4, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" and "Arzberg Germany...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fornasetti Chair Capitello Corinzio
By Fornasetti
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This chair has a lithographically applied graphic which is hand-finished and covered with a smooth lacquer.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray by Pierro Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Montreal, QC
Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray Transfer lithograph by Pierro Fornasetti
Category

1890s Italian Antique Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Set of Six Small Fornasetti Dishes
By Fornasetti
Located in Chicago, IL
6 gold leaf ceramic dishes rare design with original box.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti Porcelain Plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "6, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" and "Arzberg Germany...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fornasetti Calender Plate 2010 porcelain n.43 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Long Island, NY
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2010 Porcelain n.43 . Made in Italy
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ Tripod Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ side table or occasional table composed of lithographic printed, lacquered and hand-painted on wood tabletop with image of card suits, heart...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI "Fiori della notte" Round Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large vintage original round "fiori della notte" table with transfer-printed wooden top and fluted black base, can be used as a dining table or center table / made in Milan Italy by ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Fornasetti Umbrella Stand with Music Theme, Milano, circa 1980
By Fornasetti
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Piero Fornasetti painted metal umbrella stand of a musical theme with painted sheet music and musical instruments. Original label on the reverse. Italy, circa 1980s.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Other Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Malachite Fornasetti Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Malachite Fornasetti plates.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Malachite

Fornasetti Tray Table
By Fornasetti
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Piero Fornasetti butlers tray and supporting metal base. Tray depicts the scene in a large theatre as viewed from the back of the stage, underside of tray with designers label applie...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

20thC Set Of Four "Recipe" Plates By Fornasetti, Commissioned By Fiat c.1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti, Fiat
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A charming and rare set of four porcelain plates, created by Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s, specially commissioned by Fiat to celebrate the culinary and cultural traditions of Turin....
Category

20th Century Italian Other Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rug Coromandel Beige
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti rugs born from the combination of classical and contemporary themes and the visual universe of the Milanese Atelier turns into sensory surfac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

'Lux Gstaadt' Chair by Fornasetti, Contemporary
By Fornasetti
Located in London, England
Charming chair with the back rest decorated both sides with Fornasetti's muse, Lina Cavalieri, sporting a purple knitted ski hat with a yellow pom-pom. Hand-c...
Category

2010s Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Piatto serie "Astrolabio", Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milano, 1971
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Piatto serie "Astrolabio" Fornasetti Milano , Natale 1971
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 Porcelain n. 42 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Long Island, NY
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 . Porcelain n.42 ,Made in Italy .
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Umbrella Handler by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Vintage umbrella handler in lacquered metal with a musical theme signed by Fornasetti, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti Umbrella Stand
By Fornasetti
Located in Westport, CT
Piero Fornasetti Enameled metal wine and alcohol themed Umbrella stand
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Plate, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Plate, Italy
Category

1950s Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Post-Modern Ceramic Wall Calendar Plate 2012 by Fornasetti, 2012
By Fornasetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern Ceramic wall calendar plate 2012 by Fornasetti, 2012 Wall calendar plate of 2012, limited edition, in ceramic. It present a drawing ...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Plate, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Plate, Italy
Category

1950s Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of six Fornasetti 'Specialita Romane' recipe plates c1950
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful set of six original Fornasetti Roman recipe plates. Italy c1950 Each plate with a typical Roman cuisine recipe along with a depiction of an historical Roman building.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Obelisks Fornasetti Wooden Materials Imitation Lapis
By Fornasetti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Obelisks Fornasetti wooden materials imitation Lapis. Measures: The great height 80 cm, base cm.12 x 12, small height cm.61, based cm.9 x 9, small scratches as photos.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Piero Fornasetti Vintage Ceramic Storage Jars, Italy, circa 1960
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A wonderful collection of three ceramic storage jars designed by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1960. These highly decorative pieces feature hand-coloure...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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 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 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
    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 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 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 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 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.

Recently Viewed

View All