Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Italian, 1939-2024
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.
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Item Ships From: USA
Creator: Gaetano Pesce
Gaetano Pesce Tavolone Table
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Exceptionally rare. Exceptional colors. 1in thick resin top, poured over a steel grid. Through the manipulation of resin the shape of a face is achieved. A monumental museum worthy w...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Steel
Gaetano Pesce Broadway Dining Set, Bernini 1993, cast resin, postmodern
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“543 Broadway” is a unique and unrepeatable chair, as the colors interact with resin and mix each time in an unexpected way, giving birth always to new compositions. At the base of P...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Cannaregio Sofa, Gaetano Pesce for Cassina with Original Tags
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Cannaregio sofa in stunning color way by Italian artist and architect Gaetano Pesce. Named for the Venice neighborhood where the artist studied. In excellent condition with original ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Foam
Gaetano Pesce Fish Design Catalog
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
Early, and possibly the first, portfolio catalog of Gaetano Pesce’s experimental handcart molded resin objects—each a unique creation within a series. Published by Fish Design, circa...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Paper
Gaetano Pesce Pair of Resin Invitations Shaped like Fish
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hamden, CT
A very rare pair of Gaetano Pesce resin invitations each of which is shaped like a fish. Wildly divergent in their shapes and demeanor, they complement each other well as Pesce celeb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
La Mamma Up 5 Lounge Chair & Ottoman for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Dallas, TX
The over scaled 'La Mamma' Up 5 lounge chair and ottoman by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, c.2000s, Italy. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Warm ...
Category
Early 2000s Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
Broadway Chair by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Long Island City, NY
Sculptural Broadway chair designed by Gaetano Pesce for Bernini. Each chair features a marble green hue.Supported by flexible and dynamic brushed steel frame. The seat and back are c...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Steel
Door from Tbwa Chiat Day New York by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hudson, NY
Specifically for the large office project, one of the doors created by Pesce for the New York advertising office. Made of resin, steel and aluminum, metal grid on one side. Very few ...
Category
1990s Italian Futurist Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Guard Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
A rare totemic shelf with mirror from Gaetano Pesce's "Nobody's Perfect" series for Zerodisegno in 2003. With impressive scale, this functional work of art...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Guard Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
A rare totemic shelf with mirror from Gaetano Pesce's "Nobody's Perfect" series for Zerodisegno in 2003. With impressive scale, this functional work of art...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Moonshine wall sconce 1999
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Rare wall sconce by Gaetano Pesce Studio, New York. This example was originally hardwired but has been rewired with a plug and switch for more functionality. A functional sculpture t...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Steel
Gaetano Pesce Moss Lamp 2009
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Rare Gaetano Pesce "Moss" lamp originally designed as a tribute to Murray Moss. Edizione del Pesce for Meritalia circa 2009. The lamp appears to be a solid structure, but is complete...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
3 Gaetano Pesce Resin Invitations from 3 Hot Spots: NY, LA & Knokke Zoute
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hamden, CT
Gaetano Pesce has many exhibitions and for nearly every one, he has made a resin invitation, some quite simple, some very complex. Every one has a hole at the top so they can be disp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Royal Chairs with Nobody's Pouf Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
From the Zerodisegno Nobody's Perfect series in 2003. One of the only full sets known to exist. Nobody's King, Nobody's Queen, and Nobody's Pouf make up one of the rarest and most so...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Resin
Gaetano Pesce Chador Table Lamp From The Open Sky Series
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Kansas City, MO
Multicolored Chador Table Lamp From The Open Sky Series designed by Gaetano Pesce. Made of Resin, very sturdy. The Open Sky series was produced in a very limited edition for Fish De...
Category
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Senza Fine Chair - White
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Rare Gaetano Pesce design produced by Meritalia, Italy 2009.
Incredible condition
Dimensions approximate
A cord of extruded polyurethane molded into the shape of a chair. Each chai...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Amazonia Vase by Artist Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design, Purchased in 1990's NYC
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Brilliant yellow and green soft resin. The colors blend together to form a fabulous example of Gaetano Pesce Amazonia Vase. Stamped Fish Design. P...
Category
1990s American Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Gaetano Pesce Olo Lamp
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Monumental table lamp by the Maestro himself. Fully functional and all original in excellent condition. Signed and numbered.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Half Ball Large, Meritalia 2010
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, FL
Gaetano Pesce "Half Ball Large." A transparent red bowl or centerpiece held up by delicately placed resin drips. An incredible work of functional art.
Edizione del Pesce for Meritalia.
Category
2010s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Gaetano Pesce "Babel" Resin Wine Bucket for Fish Design Italy, 1990s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in McKinney, TX
Limited edition 1990s flexible resin wine bucket by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, Italy.
Measures 12" tall with 9" diameter opening and 12" diameter rim.
Good vintage conditio...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Rag Lamp, 1995
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gaetano Pesce Rag lamp for Fish Designs, 1995. Excellent example of Pesce’s ability with resin showcasing delicate draping and folds in a gorgeous orange-yellow. Slight wear consiste...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Recent Gorgeous Gaetano Pesce Resin Invitation, Exhibition in Australia!
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hamden, CT
We've shown you the oldest of the Pesce resin invitations and now here's one of the newest: Fish In Australia. Created in the shape of that faraway continent, this largely red and ye...
Category
2010s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Monumental Tutti Frutti Bowl by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental bowl by legendary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. A radical interpretation of one of humankind's oldest forms, this bouncy bowl is as delight...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Set of Three Early Triple Play Tables by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, '1996'
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional set of early 12-legged Triple Play tables designed by Gaetano Pesce (b. 1939) for Fish Design. This set was produced in March 1996 and...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Metal
Shadow Armchair by Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Extremely rare and difficult to find Shadow armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, 2007. Formed from pouring polyurethane resin into the bag-like uph...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Purple and yellow vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, NYC. Gorgeous texture and opacity from the legendary Gaetano Pesce.
Category
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Cannaregio Sofa Attributed to Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, Italy 1990s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Chicago, IL
A Cannaregio sofa designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina in 1987. The Cannaregio sofa is composed of ten modular sections, which can be placed together ...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery
Cannaregio Loveseat Attributed to Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, Italy 1990s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Chicago, IL
A Cannaregio sofa designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina in 1987. The Cannaregio sofa is composed of ten modular sections, which can be placed together ...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery
Shadow Armchair, Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptionally rare Gaetano Pesce Shadow chair for Meritalia. Formed by pouring polyurethane resin into the specially designed fabric “bag” the res...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Blue and purple vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, NYC. This maestro of resin creates fantasy even on a small scale using light, color, and texture in t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Shadow Armchair, Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptionally rare Gaetano Pesce Shadow chair for Meritalia. Due to the manufacturing process created by Pesce every Shadow chair is unique in its...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Resin
Shadow Armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy, 2007
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Extremely rare and difficult to find Shadow armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, 2007. Formed from pouring polyurethane resin into the bag-like vin...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Gaetano Pesce Light from the Open Sky Collection, 1999
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptionally rare light by resin maestro Gaetano Pesce from his “Open Sky” collection, 1999. Good overall condition with age-related wear.
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Half Ball Vase with Big Surprise Base, Meritalia, 2010
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gaetano Pesce half ball vase for Meritalia with the big surprise base. Fantastic and rare example of Pesce’s exquisite ability with resin. The work feels ali...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Gaetano Pesce, Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno Dining Table, Multicolor Resin
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and exceptional Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno dining table. Tubular resin legs support a sturdy resin grid top with a resin "tab...
Category
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Early Production Gaetano Pesce Amazonia Vase
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First edition Amazonia Vase, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. Exuberant form with an anthropomorphic quality. Molded in the designer's signatur...
Category
1990s American Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Desk for the Chiat\Day Offices, 1994
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare Gaetano Pesce desk from his design of the Manhattan office for the advertising agency Chiat\Day, 1994. Together with Jay Chiat they designed and built t...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Steel
Early Production Gaetano Pesce Amazonia Vase, Green and Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First edition Amazonia Vase, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. Exuberant form with an anthropomorphic quality. Molded in the designer's signatur...
Category
1990s Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Chiat Day Desk by Gaetano Pesce, New York, 1994, Rare
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Kansas City, MO
Gaetano Pesce Chiat Day desk New York, New York, circa 1994. This desk was produced in a very limited quantity for the TBWA Chiat Day advertising offices in ...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Steel
Large Gaetano Pesce Amazonia Vase, Early Production
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First edition Amazonia vase, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. An impressive example for its large scale and striking colors. Molded in the desi...
Category
1990s North American Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Half Ball, Meritalia, 2010
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Extremely rare half ball vase by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, 2010. This stunning vase is made in typical Pesce form. Whimsical yet contemplative, the beauty...
Category
2010s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Gaetano Pesce Pair of "I am with you" Tables
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
Two Gaetano Pesce "I am with you" tables in orange and green resin. Unique pieces.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gaetano Pesce Sculpture for Cassina, 1963
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hudson, NY
Original art sculpture designed by Gaetano Pesce; signed and dated 1963, Per Cassina 1968-1963. Red frame with lamented wood on metal feet.
Category
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Sconces by Gaetano Pesce, Italy, 1970s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
Nickel-plated and polished brass structure holding four square acid-etched glass shades.
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Nickel, Brass
Flower Multi-Color Chandelier by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
Flower chandelier, Urethane resin
Different colors
by Gaetano Pesce 2018 limited edition.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Ice Bucket / Vase by Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design Purchased in NYC 1990's
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Ice bucket and decorative object by Gaetano Pesce made by Fish Design, in a red colored Soft Resin with a dark color mixed in through out.
Single owner who purchased from Artist in...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Broadway Chair by Gaetano Pesce for Bernini, Hand-Cast Resin, Post Modern Art
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
BROADWAY CHAIR
GAETANO PESCE FOR BERNINI C.1993
Gaetano Pesce ‘Broadway’ chair produced by Bernini with four rubber-capped feet standing on springs. Very striking design with an int...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Metal
Broadway Chair by Gaetano Pesce for Bernini, Hand-Cast Resin, Post Modern Art
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
BROADWAY CHAIR
GAETANO PESCE FOR BERNINI C.1993
Gaetano Pesce ‘Broadway’ chair produced by Bernini with four rubber-capped feet standing ...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gaetano Pesce Vintage Spaghetti Lamp in Resin
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Hamden, CT
This deliciously saucy table lamp looks like an innocent bowl of spaghetti when it's turned off. Click it on and it suddenly comes alive as a vibrant red/yellow vision of light emana...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Rare Gaetano Pesce Resin Lamp
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Austin, TX
Rare post modern resin lamp by collectible artist Gaetano Pesce from his Olo series. "Olo" translates to "feeling" in English. Transformer and bulb...
Category
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Amazonia Series Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Gaetano Pesce multicolored resin vase. Stamped on foot "Fish Design". Vase measures 13" high and 12" diameter.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
"Swamp Table" by Gaetano Pesce, Multicolor, Wood, Italy 1993
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
During his career, that spans four decades with commissions in architecture, urban planning, interior, exhibition and industrial design, Gaetano Pesce, the architect and designer, has conceived public and private projects in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
In all his work, he expresses his guiding principle: that modernism is less a style than a method for interpreting the present and hinting at the future in which individuality is preserved and celebrated.
Born in La Spezia, Italy, in 1939, Pesce studied Architecture at the University of Venice between 1958-1963 and was a participant in Gruppo N...
Category
1990s European Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gaetano Pesce, Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno Dining Table
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and exceptional Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno dining table. Tubular resin legs support a sturdy resin grid top with a resin "tab...
Category
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Materials
Resin
Gaetano Pesce furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Gaetano Pesce furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of resin and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gaetano Pesce furniture, although red editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 68 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 422 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Gaetano Pesce were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ettore Sottsass, VG-VGnewtrend, and Carlo Moretti. Prices for Gaetano Pesce furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $93 and can go as high as $96,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $618.
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