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 Fish Bowls Set on Tray, Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
By Fornasetti
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four Fornasetti Fish Bowls on a Tray, Italy 1950s. The measurements given apply to the tray. One bowl measures 11 x 14 x 3 cm.
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...
Metal
Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray by Pierro Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Montreal, QC
Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray Transfer lithograph by Pierro Fornasetti
Lacquer
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...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
By Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The Italian artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest, most imaginative design talents of the 20th Century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and, most frequently, an enigmatic woman’s face. Fornasetti used...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Porcelain "Recipe" Plates Set of Three
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful hallmarked set of three vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti recipe plates are amusing and unusual. One is for stuffed crown roast or frankfurters, th...
Porcelain
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2012
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2012 and features an angle blowing the calendar pieces. The p...
Porcelain
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2013
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2013. The plate was made in a limited edition of 92 out of 70...
Porcelain
Mid Century Green Decorative Glass Flower Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative green flower glass plate from Italy. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful piece for every interior! Only one unique piece.
Ceramic, Glass
$520
H 9.25 in W 5.25 in D 1.25 in
Mid Century Catchall Arturo Toscanini in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Porcelain catchall/ashtray by Piero Fornasetti - Milano The 1950s-1960s The large ceramic tray or ashtray depicts the poster of Toscanini' Concert. "This is the poster of the inaugu...
Porcelain
$1,555 / item
H 3.15 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Isacco Tray in Lacquered Wood, Corno Italiano and Chromed Brass, Mod. 1790
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Perfect for serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres or for displaying fine glassware, our Isacco tray features a clean rectangular silhouette crafted of wood, wi...
Chrome
Paul Storr Sterling Silver Soup Bowls
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George IV English sterling silver soup plates made by Paul Storr, an addition to our ra...
Sterling Silver
Unavailable|$650
H 1 in Dm 9.25 in
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Temi e Variazioni- Themes and Variation
By Piero Fornasetti, Rosenthal
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
Large Italian Florentine Gilt Wood Gold Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Stunning large wood Florentine trays from Italy. These highly collectable pieces are both form and function. These look wonderful sitting alone or in groupings on a coffee table. Fun...
Wood, Giltwood
FORNASETTI Black Butterflies Metal Tray
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian rectangular metal tray depicting butterflies on black background / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 16.5 inches,...
Metal
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
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate Motiv 24
By Fornasetti, Rosenthal
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
Large Blue and White Porcelain Peacock Bowl Vintage Collectible Japan
By Toyo
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible large blue and white porcelain bowl. This beautiful Japanese bowl is hand painted in blue and white with a beautiful scene of a peacock on a tree. "Blue Peacock Collection". It features blue and white floral design with a peacock in the center, and brown-trimmed scalloped edge. If you are a lover of blue and white porcelain, this bowl is the perfect addition to your collection. Perfect for display or using as a centerpiece. Signed in the back. Measures: 2.5 inches tall, and is 10 inches in diameter. Condition, one small chip, see pictures. Toyo. Andrea by Sadek...
Porcelain
Andrew Majordome Tray Black Lacquered
Located in Paris, FR
Tray Andrew Majordome in solid mahogany wood in black lacquered finish. Movable tray on cross legs base.
Mahogany
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Appetizer Set and Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
"The Vegetable Garden": Rare Fornasetti "Ceramiche di Bollate" Appetizer Set, Circa 1950s A charming and rare mid-century ceramic appetizer set by Atelier Fornasetti, produced in Mi...
Ceramic
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...
Metal
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2016
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2016. The plate was made in a limited edition of 72 out of 70...
Porcelain
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate 2015
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2015. The plate was made in a limited edition of 51 out of 70...
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate 1980
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 1980 and features the iconic house of the...
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 1971
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 1971 and features the iconic sun and moon motif...
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 1968
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 1968 and features the iconic sun and moon motif...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Astrolabe Porcelain Plate 1968
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti as no.4 of the twelves-piece set of the Astrolabe series between 1965-1976. The series each depicts an Astrolabio, an elaborate inclino...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Astrolabe Porcelain Plate, 1967
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti as no,3 of the twelves-piece set of the Astrolabe series between 1965-1976. The series each depicts an Astrolabio, an elaborate inclino...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Studio, Pistol Barware Metal Serving Tray, 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a great studio Fornasetti pistol tray from the 1960s. The design is attributed to Piero Fornasetti, Italy. The stylishly decorative enamel s...
Metal, Enamel
Fornasetti Rectangular Tray Sardine Silver Leaf on Black
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti's trays are one of the best ways to enjoy the artist's unique designs and whimsical illustrations. The tray is the object with more variations than any other produced by ...
Wood
Fornasetti Round Tray Fior di Lina Hand-Color 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. ...
Metal
Fornasetti Rectangular Tray Braccio Con Pistola on Black Wood
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...
Wood