Gaetano Pesce was of a generation of Italian architects who in the early 1960s rebelled against the industrial perfection of modernism by conceiving new furniture and objects that were at once expressive and eccentric in form; or you might say they were more like art than functionalist design.
Born in the picturesque coastal Italian city of La Spezia in 1939, Pesce was a precocious talent who could have forged a career as an artist but opted instead to go to Venice to study architecture because, as he has said, it was “the most complex of all the arts.” Rather than having new worlds opened to him at design school, however, Pesce found the rationalist curriculum oppressive in its insistence on standardization and prescribed materials and technologies.
Pesce wanted to explore the latest of both materials and technologies to create objects and buildings never before imagined, with what he called “personalities” that spoke to the issues of the day. He was keen to examine ways to diversify mass production so that each manufactured work could be distinct.
In 1964, Pesce met Cesare Cassina, of the forward-looking furniture company C&B Italia in Milan (now known as B&B Italia), for whom he would create many important designs, beginning with a collection of what he called “transformational furniture” — two chairs and a loveseat — made entirely out of high-density polyurethane foam. To make the pieces easy to ship and cost-efficient, he proposed that after being covered in a stretch jersey, they be put in a vacuum, then heat-sealed flat between vinyl sheets. Once the foam was removed from its packaging, the piece returned to its original shape — hence, the name Up for the series, which debuted in 1969.
In addition to these pieces, Pesce proposed for the collection something he referred to as an “anti-armchair,” which took the shape of a reclining fertility goddess, the iconic Donna.
Producing the piece's complex form turned out to be a technical challenge. Bayer, the foam’s manufacturer, deemed it impossible to accomplish. Pesce persisted and came up with a new procedure, demonstrating not only the designer’s key role in researching the nature and potential of new materials but also his vital importance in “doubting rules.” The Up chair and accompanying ottoman were born, and they were revolutionary in more ways than one.
In the early 1970s, Pesce began exploring one of his key concepts, the idea of the industrial originals. Employing a mold without air holes, and adding a blood-red dye to the polyurethane, he cast a bookcase that resembled a demolished wall, the rough edges of the shelves and posts resulting from fissures in the material made by trapped air.
Through his research into polyurethane, Pesce figured out a way to make a loveseat and armchair using only a simple wood frame and strong canvas covering as a mold. Since the fabric developed random folds during the injection process, the pieces were similar but not identical. Cassina named the suite of furnishings Sit Down and introduced it in 1975. By experimenting with felt soaked in polyurethane and resin, Pesce conceived I Feltri, another collection of armchairs introduced by Cassina in 1987.
Pesce went on to live a life that defied expectation and convention and along the way became one of the most seminal figures in art and design.
Find vintage Gaetano Pesce chairs, sofas, vases and more on 1stDibs.
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Square Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Square Medium Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Mid-Century Chromocinetic Table Lamp by Gaetano Pesce, 1974
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Palermo, IT
A stunning masterpiece of mid-century Italian design, this rare "chromocinetic" sculptural lamp from circa 1974 is a quintessential example of the Space Age aesthetic. The piece feat...
Blown Glass, Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Round The Clock L Ochre Mauve Light Ruby
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Round The Clock - Ochre, Mauve, Clear Light Ruby Clock in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design collection. Colour: Ochre, Mauve, Clear Lig...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Resin Light Ruby Olive Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti Light Ruby, Olive Green Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Light Ruby Olive Green Mater...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa M Vase Soft Resin White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase - Matt White Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Matt white. Material: RESIN Vase in...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Clear Aqua, Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase - Clear Aqua, Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Aqua, Mauve Mate...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Grey Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase - Clear grey, matt turquoise Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear grey an...
Resin
Large Gaetano Pesce for Cassina 'Cannaregio' Modular Sofa
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, sofa, model ‘Cannaregio’, multicolored upholstery, Italy, 1987 Large ‘Cannaregio’ sofa, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina. The 1987 design is playful,...
Fabric
Meritalia Tall Vase / Blue and Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer L Vase Soft Resin Clear And White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear and matt white. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm. Colours: clear and matt wh...
Resin
Meritalia Some of Us Lamp by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Created through a process that celebrates imperfection and unconventionality, the luminous objects by Edizioni del Pesce embody Gaetano Pesce's distinctive philosophy. Each luminous ...
Metal
Gaetano Pesce Try-Tray Round Medium Celestial Blue, Terracotta
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Try Tray round - clear celestial blue, terracotta Tray in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear celestial blue, terracotta Dimensio...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce ‘Dalila’ Blue Outdoor Armchair for Cassina
By Gaetano Pesce, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The Dalila armchair designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina is a striking outdoor reinterpretation of one of the designer’s most emblematic and artistically significant seating concept...
Plastic
$985 / item
Nugget Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic design by Gaetano Pesce will make a singular, utterly captivating accent in a contemporary interior. A precious work of art, it belongs to the Fish Design Collection of s...
Resin
$1,035 / item
Indian Summer Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milan, IT
A strikingly singular addition to a personal art collection, this gorgeous vase is a veritable work of art of bold visual impact. Entirely crafted of soft resin, it boasts a magnific...
Resin
$1,080 / item
Nugget Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning vase belongs to the Fish Design Collection of iconic, unique pieces designed by Gaetano Pesce. Chalice shape, it is strikingly han...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa L Vase Soft Resin White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase - Matt White Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt white. Material: RESIN Vase in...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa XL Vase Soft Resin White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase - Matt white Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - Ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Matt white. Material: RESIN Vase i...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Resin Clear White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear, white. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: cl...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Resin Clear Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear and Gold. Material: RE...
Resin
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. colour: Clear Black *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Amber Fuchsia Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear Special extra colour vase, clear amber, fuchsia and blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colour: C...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase L Resin Blue Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear blue, matt red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: clear blue, matt red ...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Pompitu I Vase L Yellow Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu I Vase - Clear Yellow, Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Yellow, Mauve Mat...
Resin
"Tutti Frutti" Gaetano Pesce Fish Design Green Resin Bowl
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brescia, IT
Tutti Frutti basket Green soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. With original box Excellent condiction.
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Light Fuchsia Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, clear light fuchsia, matt dust green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Clear...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase XL Resin Orange Pink
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear orange, matt pastel pink. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL ...
Resin
Meritalia Senzafine Chair, Senza Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The "Endless" Chair. Colourful tangles that give life to a geometric and dynamic seat. A series of joyfully inconsistent seats designed by Gaetano Pesce, and a manifesto of Meritalia...
Plastic
$1,039 / item
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase XL Resin Grey Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, grey, yellow. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Grey, yellow. Material: RESIN Va...
Resin
Spaghetti Extracolor Extra Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
What could be more Italian than an abstract pile of spaghetti transformed into a stunning, cutting-edge design object. This soft resin vase was created...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Soft Resin Light Fuchsia Matt Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, clear light fuchsia, matt dust green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear li...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer M Vase Soft Resin Fuchsia Ocean Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Indian Summer vase, clear light fuchsia and matt ocean blue. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish design collection. Meas...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase XL Resin Fuchsia Pink Lilac
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra color vase - Clear pink, clear fuchsia, clear lilac, matt pink. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - ø...
Resin
Fish Design Watch Me Large Clock Clear Aqua, Fumè, Fluo Fuchsia by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Watch me - Clear Aqua, Fumè, Fluo Fuchsia Clock in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design collection. Color: Clear Aqua, Fumè, Fluo Fuchsia Dimensions: L - ø 42cm Mat...
Resin
$800 / item
Gaetano Pesce Medusa Vase L Resin Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase, clear blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear blue. Material: RESIN Vase in sof...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Brown Fuchsia Pink Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear brown, fuchsia, pink and matt yellow. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti L Vase Soft Resin Orange Dark Lavender
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear orange, matt dark lavender. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Blue Acid Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, acid green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Blue, acid green. Material: ...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Feltri Felt Armchair for Cassina, Wool Upholstery, Italy
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gaetano Pesce Feltri Felt Chair For Cassina Crafted using a patented Cassina production technique, Feltri is a symbol of cutting-edge design, the...
Polyester
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special L Vase Resin Mint Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special vase - Matt Mint and Clear Light Fuchsia. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Resin Blue Orange
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, orange. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Blue, orange. Material: RESIN ...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa L Vase Soft Resin Red Pastel Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase, Clear Dark Ruby And Matt Pastel Blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Dark R...
Resin
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte Cherry by Gaetano Pesce, Corsi
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Matte Cherry *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations ...
Resin
Unique Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design “Tutti Frutti” Large Resin Bowl, 1990s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Dronten, NL
Few designers blur the line between art, architecture, and irreverent joy like Gaetano Pesce. This large “Tutti Frutti” bowl—executed in his signature spaghetti technique—is a vibran...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Bottle Green Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - Clear bottle green, fuchsia Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESI...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Aqua by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Indian Summer Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Red and Matte Aqua *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore un...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Green Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, green and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: green and gold. Material: RESI...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Clear Grey Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - Clear grey, matt fuchsia Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN T...
Resin
543 Broadway Chair, Gaetano Pesce for Bernini S.p.A. 1993
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Designed in 1993 by Gaetano Pesce, the 543 Broadway Chair is a rejection of hyper-rational industrial design. A master of resin and color, the Broadway chair features molded resin se...
Chrome
543 Broadway Chair, Gaetano Pesce for Bernini S.p.A. 1993
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Designed in 1993 by Gaetano Pesce, the 543 Broadway Chair is a rejection of hyper-rational industrial design. A master of resin and color, the Broadway chair features molded resin se...
Chrome
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / 1995
By Vitra, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Skokie, IL
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / Switzerland, 1984 / 1994. This example 70 /100 pieces produced. Materials: resin reinforced with fiberglass, stee...
Steel
$44,632 / item
Gaetano Pesce Tramonto A New York Sofa For Cassina
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gaetano Pesce Tramonto A New York Sofa For Cassina A 20th century design icon, symbol of the vitality, innovation and creativity of Italian design and one of its masters, Gaetano Pe...
Polyester
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Basket L Resin Clear Gold
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva basket - clear, gold Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear, gold Dimensions: c.a ø 50cm x H 35cm Material: RESIN V...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Set of 3 Triple Play Coffee Table L Red Blue Yellow
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Triple Play coffee table - Red, blue and yellow Set of 3 tables in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection Colours: Red, blue, yellow Dimensions for ...
Resin
MINT Black UP5 La Big Mamma UP 2000 Chair & UP6 Ottoman Gaetano Pesce B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Basel, BS
Beautiful original Gaetano UP5 + UP6, marked and labeled. Chair and ottoman set, sold together. Incredible like new condition. Mint, exquisite condition. This is a truly stunning example of this chair. No blemishes. SHIPPING: We offer very competitive shipping rates, fast and well priced. We oversee all shipping ourselves, working closely with insured shipping air freight shippers to ensure smooth and safe delivery to you. This renowned UP5_6 armchair and ottoman from the UP 2000 series, crafted by Gaetano Pesce and reintroduced by B&B Italia in 2000, is a striking design chair and ottoman set that is essential for enthusiasts of vintage and modernist furniture. Often referred to as the "Big Mama Chair...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Gaetano Pesce Blue Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - Clear blue, matt fuchsia Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN T...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Round Basket, Large / Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Alda Big Floor Lamp by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alda is the name of Gaetano Pesce's mother: this luminous object intensely shows the emotional value of Edizioni del Pesce. Emotional and also sensorial value: Alda is adorned with a...
Resin
Limited Edition Tramonto A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tramonto A New York sofa by Gaetano Pesce Manufactured by Cassina in Italy Limited Edition of 50 pieces Cassina revisits a 20th century design icon, symbol of the vitality, innovati...
Fabric