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 Gold Keys on Malachite Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting gold keys on malachite / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measu...
Wood
FORNASETTI Butterfly Square Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original square table with transfer-printed wooden top in the design of butterflies, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s...
Wood
FORNASETTI Fondale Marino Coffee Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original rectangular "Fondale Marino" (seabed) coffee table with transfer-printed wooden top / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: wid...
Wood
Fornasetti tray, fantastical hot air balloons c1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful Piero Fornasetti original 1950s tray with fantastical hot air balloon motifs on red background. Hand painted, lithograph
Metal
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti. We offer this original Italian mid century modern center by Piero Fornasetti featuring an iron base, brass feet and a decorated lacquered w...
Brass, Iron
$685 / item
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 ...
Wood
$825 / item
Fornasetti Tray Holder Black
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 25 x 60 cm wood tray. The image shows the tray on its holder (the tray is not included in ...
Metal
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.
Wood
Atelier Fornasetti Methacrylate Side Table, Italy Circa 1990
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Atelier Fornasetti side table, an Italian design from the 1990s. It is crafted from methacrylate, a durable, high-quality plastic also known as acrylic. The table is decorated with ...
Acrylic
FORNASETTI Fruits Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting circles of various fruits / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: d...
Metal
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Forna...
Wood
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label unders...
Wood
$27,902Sale Price|20% Off
Fornasetti Desk and Chair "FIORI NELLA NOTTE" - Unique Pieces
By Fornasetti
Located in Rome, RM
The Fornasetti "Fiori nella Notte" desk and chair are unique pieces made in exclusive for Betony Vernon's private home in Paris in 2004. The desk has a drawer and the top opens to be...
Wood, Lacquer
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...
Metal
FORNASETTI Shells Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, 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...
Metal
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...
Metal
FORNASETTI Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand
By Fornasetti, Piero 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...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ Tripod Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ side table or occasional table composed of lithographic printed, lacquered and hand-painted on wood tabletop with image of card suits, heart...
Metal
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...
Plastic
FORNASETTI "Fiori della notte" Round Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large vintage original round "fiori della notte" table with transfer-printed wooden top and fluted black base, can be used as a dining table or center table / made in Milan Italy by ...
Wood
Italian mid-century modern coffe table Strumenti da Disegno Fornasetti 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti, 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...
Brass
$480Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.25 in W 23.25 in D 13 in
Bohemian Handwoven Reed Caning Bamboo Breakfast Bed Tray Table Cup Book Holder
By Ficks Reed
Located in Miami, FL
Add some Boho Chic vintage charm to your breakfast in bed with this amazing Tiger bamboo, caning and rattan bed tray table. Handwoven and hand-crafted ...
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Atelier Fornasetti Methacrylate Side Table, Italy Circa 1990
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Atelier Fornasetti side table, an Italian design from the 1990s. It is crafted from methacrylate, a durable, high-quality plastic also known as acrylic. The table is decorated with ...
Acrylic
Shagreen Tray with Dark Wood Handles by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
Vintage Small Wooden Florentine Gilt Tray, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing Smal Italian Florentine tray. Manufactured in Florence, Italy. Hand-painted in gold and brown shades. Wooden tray is in a good condit...
Wood
$22,000 / set
H 15 in Dm 14.25 in
Pair Italian Midcentury Lacquer & Screenprint Side Tables by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Pair of Italian midcentury Side or End Tables by Piero Fornasetti. The pieces are beautiful compositions of form and design in the Modern Neoclassical aesthetic....
Brass, Iron
Large Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This large coffee table is made of chrome with two glass shelves. The top glass is beveled all arround the glass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Chrome
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ Tripod Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ side table or occasional table composed of lithographic printed, lacquered and hand-painted on wood tabletop with image of card suits, heart...
Metal
$14,900
H 29.5 in Dm 50.5 in
20th Century Italian Modern Vintage Polished Rosewood Dining, Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian dining room table made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, in good condition. The small center table is co...
Rosewood
Le Tray/Walnut, Oakwood Tray
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Le tray" tray is at the origin of our Heritage collection. Crafted by hand, it is directly inspired from our Caribbean ancestors. Thought and built for a perfect adaptation to y...
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.25 in Dm 19.5 in
'Butterflies' Drinks Table / Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional and highly collectible ‘Farfalle’ (Italian for “butterflies”) occasional table by Piero Fornasetti is a striking example of the designer’s poetic and surreal approac...
Brass
Midcentury Brass Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning midcentury coffee table features a sculpted brass base with an unusually shaped, thick glass top. A sleek design with a four sided base with wonderful curves and detail...
Brass
Piero Fornasetti 1970s Side Table, Black Lacquered Wood, Sun King
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Table by Piero Fornasetti Depicting "Sun King" 'Louis XIV', Made in Italy This striking side table by the iconic Italian designer Piero Fornasetti dates to the 1970s and featur...
Metal
FORNASETTI Bar Cart
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original bar cart made in brass and wood with two removable trays / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1950s Original label underside, stamped D.B.G.M. SW on the cart wheel M...
Brass
Fornassetti Folding Tray Table
By Fornasetti
Located in Toronto, CA
A classic, reimagined in technicolour. This vintage folding tray table features one of Fornasetti’s most iconic faces—peek-a-boo style—set beneath vivid rainbow stripes. The chrome X...
Metal
"Architettura" Table by Piero Fornasetti for Fornasetti Milano
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adjustable "Architettura" Table by Piero Fornasetti for Fornasetti Milano. Made in Italy circa 1955. Signed with decal manufacturer's label to underside: [Fornasetti Milano Made in I...
Brass, Iron
Piero Fornasetti Large Chinoiserie Tray c1950
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Large Fornasetti tray . c1950 Printed label Fornasetti Milano,
Metal
Tray-Top Table By Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in London, London
Tray table By Fornasetti Milano Lithographically decorated Enamelled steel Flower and bow images Folding black stand Tray and stand with Fornasetti labels Italy ...
Metal
Fornasetti Coffe Table / Movable Tray Brass Metal, 1950, Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti coffe table with movable tray.
Brass
Fornasetti Tray
By Fornasetti
Located in Catania, IT
Enamelled metal tray depicting oranges, the work of the Italian artist Piero Fornasetti, made in the 60s, has some scratches documented in the photos, still bears the factory label t...
Metal
Sold
H 21.26 in W 30.32 in D 22.45 in
Piero Fornasetti Coffee Table "Le Farfalle", Original Label, 1950s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic coffee table by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Atelier Fornasetti in 1950. The coffee table has original label under its top. The table top is made of a silkscreened aluminum tray with a yellow background. Its iconic screen printing dictated by his famous "Butterflies" give eccentricity and joy to the piece of furniture. The Le Farfalle...
Aluminum, Steel
Piero Fornasetti Italian Black Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in Delft, NL
Piero Fornasetti Italian black side table, 1960s Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) An Italian brass tripod wood and metal enamel with Roman ca...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Piero Fornasetti Italian Green Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in Delft, NL
Piero Fornasetti Italian Green Side Table, 1960s Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) An Italian brass tripod wood and metal enamel with Roman cameo coin in a circle design side table...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Coffee Table by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Brilliant yellow coffee table attributed to Fornasetti. Yellow and multicolor top tray with the iconic dirigible and hot-air balloons theme. The below structure is a dark wood decora...
Wood