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.
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #81
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the smoking face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.81 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960 Original ma...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate Motiv 24
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Rosenthal Fornasetti "Temi e Variazioni" porcelain plate motiv 24, with gold rim and black and white printed center depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalie...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original mark on t...
Porcelain
Full Set of 6 Vintage Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Gilded Small Bowls, Italy 1950s.
By Gio Ponti, Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A complete set of 6 beautiful bowls / barware appetizer bowls with amazing decor and hand-painted gold details. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early prod...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #281
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri on a nude female torso, no.281 / made in Milano Italy circa ...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 81
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 81 of the iconic series, reinterpreti...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray, Italy 1960s.
By Piero Fornasetti, Gio Ponti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bowl / ashtray / trinket dish / jewelry holder with amazing decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1960s. Great original c...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Malachite Green Plate Nummus 3 Milano Italy 1955 Mid Century
By Fornasetti
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a very rare Piero Fornasetti decorative plate sold in "As Is" condition in a malachite green, model Nummus 3, part of the Roman Coin Series. Small nick to the edge of plate ...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Vide Poche or Trinket Dish
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic small dish which could be used as a Vide Poche, catchall, jewelry tray, etc designed by Piero Fornasetti. Great musical theme and very good condition.
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #14
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri through a keyhole, no.14 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960 O...
Porcelain
$1,400 / set
Set of Four Malachite Fornasetti Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Malachite Fornasetti plates.
Malachite
Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small and rare box signed Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milan, 1960s Classic screen-printed decoration. Useful as a pocket emptier
Wood
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.
Metal
Two 1970s Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti for Winston White Ceramic Vide Poches
By Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A pair of square white ceramic vide poches designed and manufactured by Fornasetti for Winston cigarettes, they feature the famous woman's face that we see in many variations of her ...
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #77
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the crying face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.77 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original ma...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 114 Profile Themes Variation
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series. This striki...
Porcelain
$2,541 / set
Set of Six Small Fornasetti Dishes
By Fornasetti
Located in Chicago, IL
6 gold leaf ceramic dishes rare design with original box.
Ceramic
Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer porcelain plate. By Fornasetti. From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni) Model no. 218. With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti for Rosoni Pattern Porcelain Decorative Plate Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Rare Piero Fornasetti Rosoni Pattern porcelain plate, 1960s. The dramatic plates depict a large flower-head on a gilt ground. This pattern is number 3 in series. Reference...
Porcelain
$1,589 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 3.15 in
Five Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Bowls, Culinary Motifs, Gilt Interiors, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare set of five porcelain bowls by Piero Fornasetti, Italy. Each bowl is decorated with finely drawn green motifs depicting culinary subjects including onion, plum, cheese and sau...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Eva or Eve Porcelain Plate # 8, Signed, Unused
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Eva or Eve porcelain plate number 8. Signed. Appears to be unused.
Porcelain
1950s by Piero Fornasetti Midcentury Italian Design Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Brescia, IT
Serigraphy on metal, wood box Excellent condition.
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Tray with Musical Instrument Motif
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant rectangular porcelain tray by Piero Fornasetti, featuring a characteristic composition of crossed musical instruments rendered in vivid, graphic colors. The motif reflects Fo...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Deep Cabinet Plate with Handles
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen Porcelain deep cabinet plate with handles. This piece is hand painted in cobalt blue with floral motive in the center and richly decorated gold ...
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Glazed Ceramic Fish Serving Bowls - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a splash of Mediterranean charm to your table setting with this delightful set of vintage Italian glazed ceramic fish serving bowls. Hand-painted with vibrant colors and intricat...
Ceramic
$750
H 2 in W 4.75 in D 4 in
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Caduceus" Lithograph Gilt Porcelain Green Ashtray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage celadon/mint green ceramic ashtray/trinket dish with cigarette slots by Piero Fornasetti, (circa 1950s, Italy). Features lithographic tra...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Temi e Variazioni- Themes and Variation
By Rosenthal, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Veiled Beauty: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, Hands (Motiv 16) This visually arresting plate is a powerful example from Piero Fornasetti's (1913–1988) celebrated Themes & Var...
Porcelain
1970s Set of Vintage Porcelain Plates, by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
1970s plate, Calendar series is a set of 9 silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti during the 1970s from the Calendario series, the Happy New Year dishes series. It includes all the years except 1977. Good conditions. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1992
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti calendar porcelain plate for the Year 1992.
Porcelain
Piatto in Porcellana di Rosenthal "Il Sole di Capri" di Fornasetti anni 70
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, MI
Piatto quadrato in porcellana di Rosenthal, collezione 'Il sole di Capri', realizzato da Piero Fornasetti negli anni '70 Ø cm 15 h cm 15 "Il Sole di Capri", è un tema caratterizzat...
Ceramic
Sold
H 0.5 in W 24 in D 10 in
Fornasetti Milano Farfalle White Multicolor Butterfly Tray Lacquered Wood Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Troy, MI
Fornasetti Milano "Farfalle" rectangular tray Italy 2017 Lacquered wood poplar with colorful hand silkscreened and painted butterflies 2017 unique signed example under the directors...
Wood, Poplar, Lacquer
Sold
H 0.48 in Dm 4.22 in
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Gilded Dish / Coaster 'Melodramma', Italy 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti, Gio Ponti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful dish / coaster with amazing decor and hand-painted gold. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1950s. Great original condition, ...
Porcelain
Decorative basket by Fornasetti depicting Sicilian puppets from the 70s.
By Fornasetti
Located in Catania, IT
For sale is a rare and fascinating vintage basket by Fornasetti, an authentic masterpiece of twentieth-century Italian design. The object, immediately recognizable by its very lively...
Aluminum
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 333
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series, reinterpret...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Rectangular Porcelain Tray
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate change tray or ashtray depicting the nose and mouth of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri / made in Milano Italy circa 1990s Original mark on the...
Porcelain
Fornasetti "Soli e Lune" Porcelain Plate
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti small porcelain dish or plate depicting a face on the moon with light rays of a sun, no. 4 from series "Soli e Lune" / made in Milano Italy circa 1970 Origin...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 333
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series, reinterpret...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 294
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 hand d...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate #1
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 the first decoration of what went on to become the ico...
Porcelain
Set 6 ciotoline Appetizers, Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milano anni '70
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Raro set di 6 ciotoline Appetizers in porcellana, Fornasetti Milano Scatola originale, marchio sotto la base
Ceramic
Sold
H 0.71 in W 7.25 in D 3.19 in
Piero Fornasetti Milano Porcelain Jewelry Pin Dish Vide Poche Gold Pattern
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage small dish by Piero Fornasetti decorated with a gilt rhombus pattern. Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was a versatile and innovative Italian artist and designer. He is best k...
Ceramic, Porcelain