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.
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
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
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
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Square Medium Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
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
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 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
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
$985 / item
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
$1,035 / item
Indian Summer Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
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
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
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
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
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
$1,080 / item
Nugget Large 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
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Square Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
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
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
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
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
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Green and Matte Pink 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 Bottle Green and Matte Pink. *All the pieces are handmade and therefor...
Resin
$1,080 / item
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
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase XL 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. Picture showing L size. Measures: XL - ø 30cm x H 56cm Colours: Cle...
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 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
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 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
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
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
Clear Vase Extra Colour (Large), Bottle Green, Clear Pink and Matte Yellow
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Clear" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Clear vase extra colour - 2-Tone Bottle Green, Clear Pink and Matte Yellow 'Feet'. *...
Resin
Corsi Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Matte White "Medusa" Vase 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
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Orange and Matte Pastel Pink. *All the pieces are hand-made and...
Resin
Pompitu II Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Pompitu II" Vase in Soft Resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design Collection. Colour: Clear Red and Matte Red *All the pieces are handmade and therefore uniq...
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
Meritalia Big Surprise 1 / Purple, Pink 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
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase M 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: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Special Vase L Resin Red Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti Special Vase - Clear aqua and coral red Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear aqua,...
Resin
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Yellow, Lilac, Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear Yellow, Lilac, Turquoise Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colou...
Resin
Nugget Vase Extra Colour (XL), Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Extra Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia *All the pieces are hand-made ...
Resin
Corsi Spaghetti Vase (Large), Clear Pink and Matte Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Spaghetti' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Pink and Matte Yellow. *All the pieces are handmade therefore uniqu...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer Vase M 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: M - ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Clear grey an...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Aqua by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
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
Spaghetti Special Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"Spaghetti" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. colour: Clear Blue and Matte Lime. *All the pieces are handmade therefore unique and th...
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
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Special L Vase Resin Amber Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti special vase, Clear Amber, Matt Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Amber,...
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
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Soft Resin Light Ruby Cerulean Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, Clear Light Ruby Cerulean Blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Light Rub...
Resin
$368 / item
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase M Resin Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, matt and clear red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Matt and clear red. Materia...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
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
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
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Indian Summer L 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. Measures: L ...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Vase L Soft Resin Red
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, matt and clear red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Matt and clear red. Mater...
Resin
Twins C Vase (Large), Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Twins C' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Oval Vase in Blue 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
'Special Colour' Vase, Large / Emerald, Clear Ruby & Salmon by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Clear Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. 'Special Colour', Emerald, Clear Ruby & Matte Salmon. *Due to the handmade nature of th...
Resin
Vase Mod. Indian Summer Designed By Gaetano Pesce, Italy
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary vase designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 and edited by Fish design. Made in fumé blue and matt turquoise resin. Unique piece. Italy Measurements: Diameter 22cm x H 36cm ...
Resin
Flower Vase (Large), Yellow, Bottle Green and Fuchsia by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Flower" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Yellow, Bottle Green and Fuschia *All the pieces are handmade therefore uniq...
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 Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Round Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
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
Amazonia Vase (Large), Matte Navy, Red and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Amazonia" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Matte Navy, Red and Yellow. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Va...
Resin