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
3
170
93
179
68
17
129
57
2
1
1
178
85
111
49
25
23
6
8
11
104
74
63
54
44
231
226
30
30
16
264
215
220
133
12,551
3,593
2,604
2,337
Creator: Fornasetti
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal

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

Italian Lacquered Wood Corinthian Column Étagère by Fornasetti, 1996
Italian Lacquered Wood Corinthian Column Étagère by Fornasetti, 1996

Italian Lacquered Wood Corinthian Column Étagère by Fornasetti, 1996

By Fornasetti

Located in Chicago, IL

A rare piece from the world of surreal design and historic reverie, this four-shelf étagère by Fornasetti is a sculptural nod to classical grandeur. Designed exclusively for the Forn...

Category

1990s Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Fornasetti Bookends Gift Tema E Variazioni N. 171 Black/White/Red Metal

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

Fornasetti Italy bulls eye convex round mirror brass mid century ring hook
Fornasetti Italy bulls eye convex round mirror brass mid century ring hook

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

FORNASETTI Golden Kings Side Table
FORNASETTI Golden Kings Side Table

FORNASETTI Golden Kings Side Table

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting golden kings on black background / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Meas...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Shells Side Table
FORNASETTI Shells Side Table

FORNASETTI Shells Side Table

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting sea shells / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: diameter 20 inch...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti's Mantled Cat. - Cloaked cat
Piero Fornasetti's Mantled Cat. - Cloaked cat

Piero Fornasetti's Mantled Cat. - Cloaked cat

By Fornasetti

Located in Lugo, IT

Piero Fornasetti's Mantled Cat. Cloaked cat

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

FORNASETTI Pomelos Side Table
FORNASETTI Pomelos Side Table

FORNASETTI Pomelos Side Table

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting citrus grapefruit Pomelos / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: d...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

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

Vintage Italian Fornasetti Mythological Ceramic Coaster - Set of 8
Vintage Italian Fornasetti Mythological Ceramic Coaster - Set of 8

Vintage Italian Fornasetti Mythological Ceramic Coaster - Set of 8

By Fornasetti

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Elevate your entertaining with this exceptional set of eight vintage coasters by the legendary Italian designer, Piero Fornasetti. Each ceramic coaster is a miniature work of art, fe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Giltwood, Paper

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

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 Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand
FORNASETTI Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand

FORNASETTI Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage original rectangular tray depicting sea shells with brown stand / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: length 25 inches, width 20 inche...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 Porcelain n. 42 Italy
Fornasetti Calender Plate 2009 Porcelain n. 42 Italy

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

Fornasetti ‘Opera’ decorative dishes, vintage pair (ashtrays, wall decorations)
Fornasetti ‘Opera’ decorative dishes, vintage pair (ashtrays, wall decorations)

Fornasetti ‘Opera’ decorative dishes, vintage pair (ashtrays, wall decorations)

By Piero Fornasetti, 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

FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Limited Edition Silk Screen Print 1/100
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Limited Edition Silk Screen Print 1/100

FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Limited Edition Silk Screen 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 Gold Cammeo Round Mirror
FORNASETTI Gold Cammeo Round Mirror

FORNASETTI Gold Cammeo Round Mirror

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage original round wall mirror, featuring golden cammeos over a green marble effect background / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: diame...

Category

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

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975
Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975

Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975

By Fornasetti

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975 Commemorative plate in glazed white porcelain. Black lithographic decoration with gold details depicting the Milan Cathedral su...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Crystal Paperweight Sphere, Italian Design, 1970s
Piero Fornasetti Crystal Paperweight Sphere, Italian Design, 1970s

Piero Fornasetti Crystal Paperweight Sphere, Italian Design, 1970s

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Milano, IT

1970s Piero Fornasetti astonishing crystal paperweight sphere in excellent condition. Made in Italy. This spherical piece features the hauntingly beautiful gaze of Lina Cavalieri, F...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Crystal

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PECCATO ORIGINALE handmade rug in Green
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PECCATO ORIGINALE handmade rug in Green

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PECCATO ORIGINALE handmade rug in Green

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This rug reinterprets the theme of Original Sin with Fornasetti’s characteristic lightness, offering a decorative piece that captivates the eye through a perfect balance of nature an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool, Silk

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square handmade rug in Gold Finish
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square handmade rug in Gold Finish

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square handmade rug in Gold Finish

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An intricate labyrinth captivates and seduces the eye: the Musciarabia rug transforms geometric precision into a hypnotic experience. The design traces its roots to Piero Fornasetti’...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANI handmade rug in Wool
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANI handmade rug in Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANI handmade rug in Wool

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This rug brings to life Fornasetti’s continuous play of forms and meanings, where hands take on theatrical and dreamlike qualities. Presented here in their absolute purity—stripped o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANO handmade rug in Wool
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANO handmade rug in Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANO handmade rug in Wool

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Born from Piero’s obsession with anatomical precision, one of the Atelier’s most iconic motifs takes shape: the hand. While hands often appear in Fornasetti’s imagery engaged in symb...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Piero Fornasetti Hand-painted Ceramic 'Spezie' Jar, Italy 1960s
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Hand-painted Ceramic 'Spezie' Jar, Italy 1960s

Vintage Piero Fornasetti Hand-painted Ceramic 'Spezie' Jar, Italy 1960s

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Malmö, SE

A beautiful lidded porcelain jar with an amazing hand-painted pattern. From the series 'Spezie' (Spices). Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s

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

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PROFILO handmade rug in Wool
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PROFILO handmade rug in Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - PROFILO handmade rug in Wool

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A tribute to neoclassical purity, this design transforms the solitary face into a striking graphic symbol. The archaeological reference is reimagined as a modern, essential, and eleg...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

Fornasetti SOLEIL image flushmount plafond lighting fixture Italy 2012 vintage
Fornasetti SOLEIL image flushmount plafond lighting fixture Italy 2012 vintage

Fornasetti SOLEIL image flushmount plafond lighting fixture Italy 2012 vintage

By Fornasetti

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

Iconic Fornasetti flush mount Soleil image applied on round metal convex metal panel. Can be a ceiling fixture or wall sconce. Signed and dated 2012 so under Barnaba Fornasetti (son...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian mid-century modern coffe table Strumenti da Disegno Fornasetti 1960s
Italian mid-century modern coffe table Strumenti da Disegno Fornasetti 1960s

Italian mid-century modern coffe table Strumenti da Disegno Fornasetti 1960s

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern coffe table Strumenti da Disegno by Piero Fornasetti, 1960s Strumenti da Disegno coffee table with rectangular gray wooden top decorated with illustrations...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Brass

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in Gold Finish
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in Gold Finish

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in Gold Finish

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

In this beloved motif from the Fornasetti universe, the face of Lina Cavalieri—the famous soprano whom Piero often depicted and reinterpreted across many works—is framed by the sharp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool, Linen

Piero Fornasetti Coffee/ Cocktail, Table, "Cocktail Recipes, Removable Top
Piero Fornasetti Coffee/ Cocktail, Table, "Cocktail Recipes, Removable Top

Piero Fornasetti Coffee/ Cocktail, Table, "Cocktail Recipes, Removable Top

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a late coffee table and the series has been licensed by Barnaba Fornasetti and consist of plastic top and coated metal wire legs. This is a design for the Piero Fornasetti in...

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Fornasetti Oggetti Con Nastro Wastebasket / Trash Can
Vintage Fornasetti Oggetti Con Nastro Wastebasket / Trash Can

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

1990s Italian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s
Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s

Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Malmö, SE

A pair of beautiful lidded porcelain jars with an amazing hand-painted gold pattern. From the series 'Spighe' (Spikes). Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Ea...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 114 Profile Themes Variation
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 114 Profile Themes Variation

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

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Marbalia Large Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass
THROUGH THE CLOUDS Marbalia Large Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Marbalia Large Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass

By Fornasetti, WonderGlass

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

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in White Finish
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in White Finish

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - SERRATURA handmade rug in White Finish

By Fornasetti, cc-tapis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

In this beloved motif from the Fornasetti universe, the face of Lina Cavalieri—the famous soprano whom Piero often depicted and reinterpreted across many works—is framed by the sharp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool, Linen

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - BATTIPANNI Runner handmade rug in Wool
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - BATTIPANNI Runner handmade rug in Wool

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - BATTIPANNI Runner handmade rug in Wool

By Fornasetti, cc-tapis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

In this dialogue between Fornasetti and cc-tapis, the “battipanni”—originally a household tool used to dust and beat rugs—sheds its practical function to become a purely graphic moti...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

Fornasetti Vase Burlone Black/White

Fornasetti Vase Burlone Black/White

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, bring to life one of the most d...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MUSCIARABIA Black and white handmade rug
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MUSCIARABIA Black and white handmade rug

cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MUSCIARABIA Black and white handmade rug

By Fornasetti, cc-tapis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An intricate labyrinth captivates and seduces the eye: the Musciarabia rug transforms geometric precision into a hypnotic experience. The design traces its roots to Piero Fornasetti’...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- BATTIPANNI handmade rug in wool
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- BATTIPANNI handmade rug in wool

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- BATTIPANNI handmade rug in wool

By Fornasetti, cc-tapis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

In this dialogue between Fornasetti and cc-tapis, the “battipanni”—originally a household tool used to dust and beat rugs—sheds its practical function to become a purely graphic moti...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian oval metal tray depicting watermelon on orange surface / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 18 inches, depth 13.5 ...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s
Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s

Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Malmö, SE

A pair of beautiful lidded porcelain jars with an amazing hand-painted gold pattern. From the series 'Spighe' (Spikes). Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Ea...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger

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 Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps

FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with harlequins on red background (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, in the ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti “Moro” Chair
Piero Fornasetti “Moro” Chair

Piero Fornasetti “Moro” Chair

By Fornasetti

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

“Moro” chair by Piero Fornasetti— Milano, Italy c. 1958 / 2002 Screenprint transfer on wood and metal with hand-painted details Signed and dated to reverse 'Fornasetti Milano Made ...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fornasetti Silk Cushion Sardine Fishes on Blue
Fornasetti Silk Cushion Sardine Fishes on Blue

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

Set of Six Small Fornasetti Dishes
Set of Six Small Fornasetti Dishes

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

Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox

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

PIERO FORNASETTI Milano 1960 Enameled Sliding Box With Racing Car & Horse
PIERO FORNASETTI Milano 1960 Enameled Sliding Box With Racing Car & Horse

PIERO FORNASETTI Milano 1960 Enameled Sliding Box With Racing Car & Horse

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Miami, FL

An enameled sliding box designed by Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988). This is a very rare rectangular sliding box created in Milano Italy by Piero Fornasetti. The box is from the mid-century period, crafted in the 1960's in steel and wood. The outer steel is embellished with applications of multicolor enamel depicting a double wheel racing car with a horse . The box is very decorative and in very good preserved condition. These kinds of boxes are highly collectable and desirable among the mid-century and Italian design collectors. Piero Fornasetti He was an Italian artist and designer that born in Milan into a middle-class family, Fornasetti creative pursuits encompassed design, decoration, painting, curating, and printing. His oeuvre, spanning over 13,000 works, displayed a wide range of objects and furniture with a unique emphasis on decorative diversity. Collaborating with figures like Gio Ponti, Fornasetti's atelier became synonymous with bringing art into everyday lives through practical yet artistically adorned objects. Fornasetti's artistic philosophy emphasized the production of series over one-of-a-kind pieces, reflecting his commitment to democratizing art. A central motif in his work was the "variations," notably exemplified in the iconic "Tema e Variazioni" series featuring over 400 renditions of opera singer Lina Cavalieri's face. His creative genius extended across different mediums, from furniture to paintings, demonstrating a coherent stylistic code. Although Fornasetti faced...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Bronze

Tray with Mercury Gold Milan, Fornasetti Manufactory, circa 1950
Tray with Mercury Gold Milan, Fornasetti Manufactory, circa 1950

Tray with Mercury Gold Milan, Fornasetti Manufactory, circa 1950

By Fornasetti

Located in Madrid, ES

Tray with Mercury. Milan, Fornasetti Manufactory, circa 1950. Porcelain. Brand: graphic symbol with "Fornasetti Milano Made in Italy" and "T" in gold. Dimensions: height 1.7 cm; 13...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Astrological Zodiac Plate, Cancer, Gli Zodiaci Farmacope
Piero Fornasetti Astrological Zodiac Plate, Cancer, Gli Zodiaci Farmacope

Piero Fornasetti Astrological Zodiac Plate, Cancer, Gli Zodiaci Farmacope

By Fornasetti

Located in Downingtown, PA

Zodiac of the Apothecary: Fornasetti ‘Cancer’ Plate for Crinos Series: Gli Zodiaci Farmacopei, No. 8 Milano, Italy, Circa 1950s This distinctive porcelain plate, dedicated to the zodiac sign Cancer...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Rug Coromandel Beige

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

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square Black and white handmade rug
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square Black and white handmade rug

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Square Black and white handmade rug

By Fornasetti, cc-tapis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An intricate labyrinth captivates and seduces the eye: the Musciarabia rug transforms geometric precision into a hypnotic experience. The design traces its roots to Piero Fornasetti’...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Large Black and white handmade rug
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Large Black and white handmade rug

cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Large Black and white handmade rug

By cc-tapis, Fornasetti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An intricate labyrinth captivates and seduces the eye: the Musciarabia rug transforms geometric precision into a hypnotic experience. The design traces its roots to Piero Fornasetti’...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wool

Fornasetti Toscanini Concert Porcelain Tray, Gilt Edge, Italy
Fornasetti Toscanini Concert Porcelain Tray, Gilt Edge, Italy

Fornasetti Toscanini Concert Porcelain Tray, Gilt Edge, Italy

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Astoria, NY

Fornasetti "Toscanini's Concert" Porcelain Tray, with gilt edge, marked "Fornasetti Milano / Made in Italy" to the underside. 1" H x 8.5" W x 5.25" D. Provenance: From a Long Islan...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti

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 N 8 Coaster Ceramic 1950
Piero Fornasetti N 8 Coaster Ceramic 1950

Piero Fornasetti N 8 Coaster Ceramic 1950

By Fornasetti

Located in Milano, IT

Fornasetti.

Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti

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

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Malachite Small Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass
THROUGH THE CLOUDS Malachite Small Pendant lamp by Fornasetti for Wonderglass

THROUGH THE CLOUDS Malachite 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

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
    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 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
    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 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
    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 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 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
    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.