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.
"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 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
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
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 SENZAFINE Square Basket, Medium / Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
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
Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Vase Medium Resin Pink Bronze
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva Vase - Clear pink, bronze Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear pink, bronze Dimensions: ø 40cm x H 25cm Material: RE...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Basket M 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. Dimensions: c.a ø 40cm x H 25cm Colours: Clear, Gold Vase in soft resi...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Square Basket, Large / Yellow 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
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, "Senza Fine" Series Centerpiece, Italy, 2000s
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Naples, IT
Round basket/centerpiece designed by Gaetano Pesce for the Senzafine series, made of extruded polyurethane in shades of blue.Edizioni del Pesce uses molded polyurethane to create a s...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Round Basket, Medium / Black 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
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti I Special XL Resin Basket Ochre Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti I special basket - ochre, fuchsia Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: ochre, fuchsia Dimensions: ø 50cm x H 28cm...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Basket M Resin Light Ruby Olive Green
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva basket - Light Ruby, Olive Green Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Light Ruby, Olive Green Dimensions: c.a ø 40cm x H...
Resin
Large Resin Bowl by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, 2012
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This stunning large bowl, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design in 2012, is a vibrant example of contemporary Italian design. Crafted from high-quality resin, the bowl features an eye-catching blend of white and yellow, embodying Pesce's signature style that merges art and functionality. Renowned for his innovative use of materials and bold color choices, Pesce creates pieces that challenge traditional design boundaries. This bowl is no exception, serving as both a practical object and a striking piece of art. It is in very good condition, with minimal to signs of use, retaining its vibrant colors and smooth finish. Gaetano Pesce's work is celebrated for its playful yet sophisticated approach, often pushing the limits of design and materiality. This large resin bowl...
Resin
Bowl Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, #72
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Delft, NL
Bowl Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Large synthetic resin bowl, model Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce (1939-) for Fish design, 1990s This bowl in the spaghetti techni...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Basket L Resin Light Ruby Olive Green
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva basket - Clear Light Ruby, Olive Green Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear Light Ruby, Olive Green Dimensions: c....
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti II Basket XXL Resin Fluo Yellow
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti II basket - matt fluo yellow Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Matt fluo yellow Dimensions: ø 60-70cm x H 32cm...
Resin
Senzafine Square Medium bowl by designed Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy 2000
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milano, IT
Senzafine Square Medium bowl, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy, 2000. Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking world of Gaetano Pesce with the exquisite "Senzafine" bowl...
Plastic
Senza Fine Basket by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Senza Fine is a square basket designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia in 2010. Known for his experimental approach to form and material, Pesce created this piece with his signature p...
Plastic
Round Decorative Contemporary Italian Bowl in Purple Resin by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and large sculptural contemporary "Ogiva Basket" decorative bowl in purple and gold resin by Gaetano Pesce and produced by Fish Design in Italy, 2022. In good original condit...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti I Special M Resin Basket Ochre Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti I special basket - ochre, fuchsia Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: ochre, fuchsia Dimensions: ø 30cm x H 20cm...
Resin
$766 / item
Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Vase L Brown Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva basket - Clear, Brown, Turquoise Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear Brown, turquoise Dimensions: ø 50cm x H 35cm...
Resin
Italian Contemporary White Silver Tutti Frutti Resin Bowl by Gaetano Pesce, 2016
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare Italian contemporary and decorative "Tutti Frutti" bowl in white and silver colored resin by Gaetano Pesce and produced by Fish Design in Italy 2016. In good original conditio...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti I Special L Resin Basket Ochre Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti I special basket - ochre, fuchsia Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: ochre, fuchsia Dimensions: ø 40cm x H 24cm...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Vase Medium Resin in Light Fuchsia Bronze
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva Vase - clear light fuchsia, bronze Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear light fuchsia, bronze Dimensions: ø 40cm x H...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Vase Large Resin Light Fuchsia Bronze
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva Vase - clear light fuchsia, bronze Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear light fuchsia, bronze Dimensions: ø 50cm x H...
Resin
Nugget Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
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
$795 / item
H 14.18 in Dm 8.67 in
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
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
$945 / item
H 14 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Size Large Clear and Matte White 'Indian Summer' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. ...
Resin
$610
H 14.18 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
Pompitu II Large Clear Ruby & Cerulean Resin Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
Pompitu II large vase by Gaetano Pesce, part of the Fish Design collection created in 1995, features a striking clear ruby pink soft resin body accented by a distinctive cerulean blu...
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
$1,150
H 14 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Pink and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Indian Summer Vase, size Large, in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. * All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations in the hu...
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
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
Clear Special Large Red Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
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
Rock Large Pink Resin with Mosaic Pattern Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory
Located in Milan, IT
Rock Vase in soft resin by Gaetano Pesce features a distinctive mosaic pattern of raised square elements on a softly contoured form. Originally designed in 1995 as part of the Fish D...
Resin
Spaghetti Extracolor Extra Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
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
Meritalia SENZAFINE Oval Basket / Blue 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
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Centrotavola "Big Surprise," Italy 2000s
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Naples, IT
Gaetano Pesce "Big Surprise " A bowl or centerpiece supported by delicately placed resin drops. An incredible work of functional art. Edizione del Pesce for Meritalia.The Edizioni d...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Centrotavola "Big Surprise," Italy 2000s
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Naples, IT
Gaetano Pesce "Big Surprise " A bowl or centerpiece supported by delicately placed resin drops. An incredible work of functional art. Edizione del Pesce for Meritalia.The Edizioni d...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Centrotavola "Big Surprise Large," Italy 2000s
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Naples, IT
Gaetano Pesce "Big Surprise Large" A yellow-gold and green bowl or centerpiece supported by delicately placed resin drops. An incredible work of functional art. Edizione del Pesce fo...
Resin
Tutti Frutti II, Lilac and Fluorescent Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Lilac and Fluorescent Yellow. * All the pieces are hand-made, and therefore unique. Variations in...
Resin
Large Sculptural Tutti Frutti Basket in Resin by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Troy, MI
A "Tutti Frutti" bowl designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Italy 2006 17.5 inch diameter 7 inch height A unique "deceiving to the eye" design giving the appearance of a solid ...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Resin Centerpiece "Big C ollina" Italy 1995
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Naples, IT
Soft resin centerpiece designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for the Fish Design collection. Fish Design was born in New York in 1995 from an idea of Gaetano Pesce who, using colored and...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Resin centerpiece "Tuttifrutti," Italy 2000s
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Naples, IT
"Tutti Frutti" large bowl from Gaetano Pesce's first edition for Fish Design,
Resin
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 14.97 in
Gaetano Pesce "Half Ball Medium" Bowl, Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, 2000's
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Discover the captivating allure of Gaetano Pesce's "Half Ball Medium" Bowl, a remarkable piece from the Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, dating back to the 2000s. Crafted with metic...
Resin, Plastic
Sold
H 6.7 in W 14.97 in D 14.18 in
Gaetano Pesce "Half Ball" Large Bowl, Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, 2010
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Introducing the Gaetano Pesce "Half Ball" Large Bowl, a stunning piece from the Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, crafted in 2010. This exquisite bowl is a testament to Pesce's avant-...
Resin, Plastic
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...
Resin
"Spaghetti" Bowl by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Spectacular multi-use piece by noted Italian architect and designer, Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. Made of multi-colored resin "spaghetti" strands interwoven and laced together to f...
Resin