Fornasetti Prints

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.

Creator: Fornasetti

FORNASETTI Set of 2 "Città Di Carte" Panels

$12,600 / set

FORNASETTI Set of 2 "Città Di Carte" Panels

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rare original vintage set of 2 "Città di Carta" screen print on wood panels, designed by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti Original label on the back Each panel ha...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

FORNASETTI Nose Mouth and Eyes Silk Screen Print

$900

FORNASETTI Nose Mouth and Eyes Silk Screen Print

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Piero Fornasetti silk screen print on wood depicting nose, mouth and eyes of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches...

Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Silk, Wood

FORNASETTI Zodiac Libra Silk Screen Print

$550

FORNASETTI Zodiac Libra Silk Screen Print

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Piero Fornasetti "Libra" silk screen print on masonite / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches / Depth: 1 inch 1 available...

Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

FORNASETTI Zodiac Cancer Silk Screen Print

$550

FORNASETTI Zodiac Cancer Silk Screen Print

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Piero Fornasetti "Cancer" silk screen print on masonite / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches / Depth: 1 inch 1 availabl...

Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

1993 Fornasetti Portfolio 6 Surrealist Black/Gold Prints France

$1,200 / set

1993 Fornasetti Portfolio 6 Surrealist Black/Gold Prints France

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Miami, FL

The complete portfolio from the series Sole e Lune containing 6 Fine Art Silkscreen by Piero Fornasetti published in France by Graphique de France in 1993. This portfolio was exclusively created for Pier One...

Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

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

$1,200

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 Prints

Materials

Paper

Set of FOUR Macaws Prints originally Circa 1838 in Rectangular Frames, New

$640Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 1.58 in

Set of FOUR Macaws Prints originally Circa 1838 in Rectangular Frames, New

By John James Audubon

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

These are a set of FOUR digitally remastered prints of Macaws, hand coloured framed prints, originally from Circa 1864. Prints of this style were...

Category

2010s British Victorian Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Antique Bird Print of a Bunting

$103Sale Price|20% Off

H 9.45 in W 11.82 in D 0.08 in

Antique Bird Print of a Bunting

Located in Langweer, NL

Original antique bird print of a bunting. This print originates from "A History of British Birds", by The Rev. F. O. Morris B.A. Published circa 188...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

Surrealist Framed Print by Bruce Richards

$1,250

H 31 in W 26.5 in D 2 in

Surrealist Framed Print by Bruce Richards

By Bruce Richards

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Surrealist framed print by Bruce Richards (American, born 1948): "Witness (Man Ray)". Numbered 2/45 and signed Bruce Richards '92.

Category

20th Century American Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Ink, Paper

K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade

$885

H 29.5 in W 24 in D 1 in

K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Print With Lippezaner Horses And Riders In Vienna Titled "Levade" lower left. Pencil signed lower right, numbered 175/299 lower left. Finely framed in gilt wood. sight 17 x 22 3/4", ...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper, Glass, Wood

Wassily Kandinsky Abstract Silk Screen Print Titled Improvisation 26

$495Sale Price|26% Off

H 28.75 in W 20.63 in D 1 in

Wassily Kandinsky Abstract Silk Screen Print Titled Improvisation 26

By Wassily Kandinsky

Located in Miami, FL

Wassily Kandinsky abstract silk screen print. Titled: Improvisation 26 original painted in 1912, harmonious and perfect form among geometrical shapes. This is a cut-out from the 199...

Category

20th Century German Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

Selection of Large Joan Miro Color Lithographs

$850 / item

H 38 in W 25 in D 0.25 in

Selection of Large Joan Miro Color Lithographs

By (after) Joan Miró

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of Joan Miro large color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple that l...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Signed and Numbered Silk Screen Print of Jimmy Hendrix by Larry Smart

$1,369 / item

H 48.04 in W 36.23 in D 0.08 in

Signed and Numbered Silk Screen Print of Jimmy Hendrix by Larry Smart

By Larry Smart

Located in Little Burstead, Essex

We have the last few of these stunning silkscreens by Larry Smart. Larry came to us just a short while before his untimely death with a proposition to publish this print and to make a signed and numbered edition of 200 in fine art quality silkscreens. Sadly Larry was only to sign the first 50 before he was prematurely taken from us, so the edition is very small, just 50 pieces. Larry, you will be missed by true art lovers the world over! Larry was a friend of Jimmy Hendrix...

Category

1960s English Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Interior Print

$1,200

H 19 in W 17 in D 1.5 in

Interior Print

Located in New York, NY

A framed print of an elegant traditional bed chamber featuring a formal canopy bed; matted and finished in a gilt wood frame.

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

$550

H 18.5 in W 14.25 in D 0.5 in

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

By (after) Alexander Calder

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of Alexander Calder color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple that lived in France from 1951-1983. These are most likely from the limited edition folio “Derriere Le Miroir”, published by the legendary Galerie Maeght. Please see our other 1stdibs listings for more Alexander Calder and Joan Miro lithographs from...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

$850 / item

H 32.5 in W 24.25 in D 0.5 in

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

By Alexander Calder

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of Alexander Calder color lithographs, circa 1960s. They have been recently framed in clean lined black lacquered wood gallery frames...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Selection of Modernist Lithographs or Gallery Wall

$750 / item

H 12 in W 32 in D 0.5 in

Selection of Modernist Lithographs or Gallery Wall

By Alberto Giacometti, (after) Joan Miró

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of modernist lithographs or gallery wall, French, circa 1960s. From top left to right, they are: 1) Joan Miro color lithograph, from Derriere Le Miroir, circa 1960s. Seen at upper left. It measures 18.5" H x 25.5" W framed. Newly framed in clean lined black lacquer gallery frame under conservation grade glass. 2) SOLD Alberto Giacometti lithograph...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Selection of Modernist Art Lithographs or Serigraphs

$850 / item

H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in

Selection of Modernist Art Lithographs or Serigraphs

By Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne, (after) Henri Matisse, (after) Alexander Calder, Victor Vasarely

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of modernist art serigraphs or lithographs, circa 1950s-1970s. They are: 1) Victor Vasarely color lithograph, circa 1960s. It has been recently reframed in a clean lined bl...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Previously Available Items

FORNASETTI "Jerusalem by Night" Panel

Sold

H 63.39 in W 36.62 in D 0.71 in

FORNASETTI "Jerusalem by Night" Panel

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rare original vintage "Jerusalem by Night" screen print on wood panel, designed by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti Original label on the back Measures: width 37 ...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Piero Fornasetti "Wine Glass" Print

Sold

H 12.21 in W 12.21 in D 0.79 in

Piero Fornasetti "Wine Glass" Print

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Piero Fornasetti "Wine Glass" silk screen print on masonite / made in Milano Italy, 1990s Width: 12 inches / Height: 12 inches / Depth: 1 inch 1 avai...

Category

20th Century Italian Fornasetti Prints

Materials

Paper

Piero Fornasetti Vintage Framed Print

Sold

H 13 in W 13 in D 1 in

Piero Fornasetti Vintage Framed Print

By Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A fun decorative piece of wall art. Ink on paper, appears to be in the original lacquered wood frame under glass. The print has not been taken out of the frame and appears to be in F...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Fornasetti Prints

Fornasetti prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Fornasetti prints are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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Questions About Fornasetti Prints

What is Fornasetti?
1 Answer
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.
Who is Piero Fornasetti?
1 Answer
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.
What style is Fornasetti?
1 Answer
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.
Where can I buy Fornasetti?
1 Answer
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.
Who is the woman on the Fornasetti plates?
1 Answer
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.
How do I display Fornasetti plates?
1 Answer
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.
How do I burn a Fornasetti candle?
1 Answer
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.
How can I hang Fornasetti plates?
1 Answer
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.
What is Piero Fornasetti famous for?
1 Answer
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.
Is Fornasetti hand painted?
1 Answer
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.
What style of art is Fornasetti?
1 Answer
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.
Where are Fornasetti plates made?
1 Answer
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.
Are Piero Fornasetti images public domain?
1 Answer
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.
Can a Fornasetti porcelain figurine be factory-made?
1 Answer
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.