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
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
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 Green Roman Chariot Race Table Lamp
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern lamp by Piero Fornasetti, the Italian master celebrated for his playful and surreal self-expression. Its striking green body showcases Neoclassical style...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
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
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
Fornasetti Bookends Gift Tema E Variazioni N. 171 Black/White/Red Metal
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Curved Chest of Drawers Scimmie Grey Shades, Chromed Details
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Like all Fornasetti pieces of furniture, it is handcrafted using original artisan techniques.
This corner cabinet is silk-screened by hand, hand-panited and covered with a smooth lacquer.
The decoration depicts the iconic Fornasetti monkeys on a grey leaves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Fornasetti Tray-Juggler with Spinning Plates, Atelier Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Tray
Juggler with Spinning Plates,
Atelier Fornasetti,
Dated 2017, N 16
The black circular tray is printed with a pattern of Themes & Variation numbered 193. It depi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Italian Fornasetti Musical Instrument Themed Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful Italian musical instrument plates by Piero Fornasetti, an Italian versatile and eclectic artist, characterized by an unstoppable creative flair that made him one of the most prolific figures of the 20th century, and difficult to ascribe to a specific movement. Titled Strumenti Musicali Piccoli and made in Italy. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory.
Photographed along with and also available within our shop-
Charles Hollis Jones Glass and Lucite Dining Table
Pair of Mastercraft Brass Bamboo Dining Chairs
Imperial Glass Bamboo...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage 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
Piero Fornasetti Vintage "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sized porcelain square vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Piero Fornasetti bowl or serving piece has all the elements of botanicals and flowers and is enti...
Category
1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
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
Fornasetti "BOSCO" Screen édition spécial pour "Paradis"de Betony Vernon
By Fornasetti
Located in Rome, RM
The "BOSCO" screen is a unique piece designed by Fornasetti for Betony Vernon's showroom in Paris in 2008.
A unique piece composed of 5 rather that the standard 3 or 4 panels.
Wheel...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
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 Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 294
By Fornasetti, Piero 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 hand d...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century 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 Piero Fornasetti Black and White Ashtray of a Roman Chariot
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti black and white ashtray of a Roman chariot,
1950-1960s.
The Piero Fornasetti Neoclassical ashtray depicts a Roman chariot in black and white.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Barnaba Fornasetti Calendar Plate for 2013 with Piero Fornasetti Self Portrait
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Barnaba Fornasetti Calendar Plate for 2013,
with Piero Fornasetti Self Portrait,
#518 of 700
The plate depicts an image of Piero Fornase...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti N 8 Coaster Ceramic 1950
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti.
Category
1950s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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 Cushion Mano Hand 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 ceramic / wood box plus incense hole in lid. Profumi .
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and surrealist style in this traditional design by the well known artist / designer Piero Fornasetti . This box is also for incense and has a hole for burning . Not incense incl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti hand painted decorative plate, "Tema e Variazioni" 78, made in Italy
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
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
Fornasetti Table Bocca Red Lips Brass Tripod Base
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. Meas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Piero Fornasetti, Mid-Century Modern, Exhibition Poster, Paper, Light Wood Frame
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Exhibition Poster, Deocrative Art, Framed
PIERO FORNASETTI (1913-1988)
'Fornasetti's Decorative Objects' poster
Italy, 1989
Provenance: Christie...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Fornasetti Vase Ajna Black/White/Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Another classic of the Fornasetti catalogue, vases' uncommon shape mixed with the timeless beauty of Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti’s enduring muse, bri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Bookends Strumenti Musicali Gold on Red Metal
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 20” Porcelain, 1987, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti “Plate Calendar n 20” porcelain, 1987, Italy.
Category
1980s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Piero Fornasetti, Roman Medallions, Coffee Table, 1960s, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
Coffee table by Italian designer Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1960s. Top with details of Romanesque imagery/ Roman medallions. Lithographic print on lacque...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Piero Fornasetti, Posacenere, prod. Fornasetti Milano anni '60
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
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
Fornasetti Tray Holder for a Tray Black Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 60 cm diameter metal round tray.
The second image shows the tray on its holder (the tray ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Wood
Cylindrical Handmade White 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
Exceptional Table by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare occasional table featuring classically-rendered decorative faces on a brass tripod base. Great vibrant coloring and attractive fading.
(Please confirm item location NY or NJ ...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fornasetti Milano Italy Serratura Black and White Keyhole Round Platter Tray
By Fornasetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fornasetti Milano Italy Serratura Black and White "Keyhole" Round Platter Tray. Item features a metal construction, hand-silkscreened and painted, original label, hand numbered to fr...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti porcelain plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "2, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" to the underside.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Illuminated Mirrors by Benedetto Fornasetti, Circa 1970.
By Fornasetti
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of illuminated mirrors by Benedetto Fornasetti, Circa 1970.
Pair of mirrors by designer Benedetto Fornasetti, illuminated mirrors in ...
Category
20th Century European Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti porcelain plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped 11, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" and "Arzberg Germany...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Piero Fornasetti, Sei piattini serie "Strumenti musicali", anni '70
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Sei piattini della serie StrumentI Musicali e dettagli in malachite
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Piatto serie "Astrolabio", Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milano, 1971
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Piatto serie "Astrolabio" Fornasetti Milano , Natale 1971
Category
1970s Italian Vintage 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
Piero Fornasetti 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
Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti Porcelain plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "1, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" and "Arzberg Germany...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Six Petite Plates by Piero Fornasetti for Roos Bros
By Fornasetti
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six (6) plates in the original box with designs by Fornasetti.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Set of 6 Ceramic Appetizer Bowls by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage set of six bar snack or appetizer bowls, decorated in black and white with images and letters to form the contents and a wide gilt band to the foot and inner rim. The subject...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
'Sole' (Sun) Chair by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in London, England
Contemporary production of Piero Fornasetti's design from the Fornasetti Studio.
Transfer printed and hand-colored decoration on wood, in tones of cheerful yellow mottled with ochre,...
Category
2010s Italian Fornasetti Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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.
Creators Similar to Fornasetti
Questions About Fornasetti Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Fornasetti 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.
- What is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Fornasetti 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.
- What style is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The 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.
- Who is Piero Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Piero 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.
- Where can I buy Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You 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, 2022How 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, 2022To 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, 2022Opera 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.
- What style of art is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The 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.
- Is Fornasetti hand painted?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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, 2022To 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, 2024Piero 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, 2022Whether 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, 2022No, 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.