The Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative 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 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.
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 Fornasetti's 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 the artist's collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking 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.
Find vintage Piero Fornasetti dinner plates, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1990s Gorgeous "Commedia dell'Arte" table Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonange
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
This exceptional "La Commedia dell'Arte" table lamp represents a prestigious collaboration between the Piero Fornasetti and the avant-garde Milanese lighting house Antonangeli Illumi...
Plastic
Playing Cards Box by Piero Fornasetti, Walnut Wood, Vintage 1970s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
A stunning 1960s original playing cards box designed by the legendary Italian artist Piero Fornasetti, crafted in walnut wood. This exceptional piece showcases Fornasetti's iconic ae...
Wood, Walnut
Fornasetti Glass Wall Clock, Italian Design, 1990s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous wall clock in glass by Fornasetti it's signed on the bottom. Made in Italy. It's in excellent condition and it works perfectly with an AA battery (quartz mechanism by ...
Glass
Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Magazine Stand, Gilded Plywood, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Portland, OR
A fabulous magazine stand created by Piero Fornasetti. Italy 1950s. Gilded and polychromed plywood form, with brass infrastructure and legs. This example has the vibrant green interi...
Brass
$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...
Wood
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with cameos on red background (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original labe...
Metal
FORNASETTI Rare Large Chess and Dominoes Board Game Set Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage board game set box for Dal Negro by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s. The box is made in walnut wood, and it includes chess game, dominoes, checkers game, card ga...
Wood
FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian oval enameled metal tray depicting orange puffer fish / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 20.5 inches, depth 13.5...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti “Il Minestrone” Plate, Specialità Milanesi, Italy Mid Century
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Iconic vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti as part of the celebrated "Specialità Milanesi" series. This plate features the whimsical and highly detailed black-and-wh...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Set of Coasters of Opera Characters-Melodrama!
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Operatic Gold": Boxed Set of 8 Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Coasters, 1960s A spectacular complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters from the "Melodramma" (Melodrama)...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp, Black Silk Shade, Italian Design, 1970s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous unique Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp. Made in Italy. This lamp is unique and is in excellent condition, signed at the bottom and it works perfectly. The black silk lamp ...
Metal
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
'Butterflies' Drinks Table / Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional and highly collectible ‘Farfalle’ (Italian for “butterflies”) occasional table by Piero Fornasetti is a striking example of the designer’s poetic and surreal approac...
Brass
Pair of 1990s open armchairs by Piero Fornasetti's son Barnaba Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Winnetka, IL
A pair of "Tema a variazioni" (Themes and Variations" Piero Fornasetti open armchairs by G. Galli, Italy for Barnaba Fornasetti Milan. Having upswept open arms painted in silver with...
Silver Leaf
1990s Rare "Aquarium" Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous "Aquarium" Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli in polypropylene. The lamp features a continuous, brilliantly silk-screened polypropylene shade adorned with ...
Plastic
FORNASETTI Butterfly Square Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original square table with transfer-printed wooden top in the design of butterflies, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s...
Wood
FORNASETTI Rare Ceramic Snail Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original white ceramic giant snail lamp / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: length 13.8 inches, width 9.8 inches, height 19.3 inches...
Ceramic
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Conchiglie Pattern Plate decorated with Sea Creatures
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Marine Whimsy: Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Conchiglie" (Shells) Plate #12 Circa 1960–1970 A vibrant and whimsical vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti, featuring the s...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters, Musicalia Pattern, Set of Six
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Golden Harmony: Fornasetti's 'Musicalia' Gilded Ceramic Coasters 1960s This elegant and highly desirable set of six ceramic coasters was designed by the celebrated Italian artist Pi...
Ceramic
$1,800
FORNASETTI Butterfly Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with butterfly motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the felt base Length: 12 inc...
Wood
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Rare Trumeau mod. Gran Coromandel
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Turin, Turin
Piero Fornasetti was an Italian painter, sculptor, decorator, and craftsman who used ornamental and pictorial motifs to decorate silk scarves, furniture, plates, vessels, and similar...
Glass, Wood, Harewood
FORNASETTI Poker Card Game Set Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of vintage cards, six dices and chips / Designed by PIero Fornasetti, made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti ...
Wood
Rosenthal Fornasetti "Lina as Pearl" Plate Themes & Variations (Motiv 14), 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Modern Myth: Rosenthal Fornasetti "Lina as Pearl" Plate Themes & Variations (Motiv 14), 1980s This striking porcelain plate is a premier example of the collaboration between the leg...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI City of Cards Playing Cards Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing cards box in walnut wood and "City of Cards" enameled metal case cover, it holds two packs of cards / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s L...
Metal
1960 Piero Fornasetti Italian Design Flower Metal Brass Gueridon Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brescia, IT
Side Table Piero Fornasetti Italy, 1950 lithographic transfer print on lacquered metal Brass Frame Paper label on the bottom Wear consistent with age and use (shown in the pictures)
Metal
$1,500
FORNASETTI Butterfly Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with butterfly motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the felt base Length: 9.5 in...
Wood
FORNASETTI Gold Keys on Malachite Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting gold keys on malachite / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measu...
Wood
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Themes and Variation, Motiv 15
By Rosenthal, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Veiled Beauty: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, Hands (Motiv 16) This visually arresting plate is a powerful example from Piero Fornasetti's (1913–1988) celebrated Themes & Var...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal Porcelain Vase, 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti, Rosenthal
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal Porcelain Vase, 1980s A stylish full decorated porcelain designed by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, Germany, manufacturer who stands for best quality...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Plates by Piero Fornasetti - Adamo
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
12 plates of model Adamo (Adam) designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s. Piero Fornasetti created one set of Adam and one set of Eva containing 12 plates each. These plates are 26 ...
Porcelain
Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These two 1960s Mid-Century Modern decorative plates by Piero Fornasetti typically exemplify his whimsical and artistic approach to design.The plates depict intricate surreal illustr...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight with Butterflies, Made in Italy
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Ceramic
$25,400Sale Price|27% Off
'Pompeiana' Corner Cabinet by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 2 of 2 in 1988, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 'much larger than it looks' collectors item is the 'Pompeiana' corner cabinet by Piero Fornasetti, completed in 1988, signed, dated and numbered 2 of 2. Fornasetti cabinets, es...
Brass
$633Sale Price|35% Off
Complete set of Vintage Piero Fornasetti Love Coasters in Original Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very nice set of vintage LOVE coasters by the great Piero Fornasetti. There are eight coasters, each with a different phrase on the subject of love. The coasters are in v...
Ceramic
Wall Clock by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Piero Fornasetti wall clock created in 1990s. Glass clock face with printed woman face and digits with quartz clockwork. Measures: Ø 37 cm.
Glass
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Gold Adam Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Forbidden Fruit: Complete Set of 12 'Adam' Gold Porcelain Plates Piero Fornasetti, Circa 1970s This complete and captivating set of twelve Piero Fornasetti "Adam" porcelain plat...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Fondale Marino Coffee Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original rectangular "Fondale Marino" (seabed) coffee table with transfer-printed wooden top / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: wid...
Wood
1960s Classical Set of Two Bookends " Porta di Venezia " by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This rare and visually captivating set of two bookends by Piero Fornasetti, dating from the 1960s, showcases the designer’s signature fusion of classical imagery and surrealist charm...
Iron
$5,500 / set
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Jerusalem" table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 light / E26 ...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Themes & Variations Plate, Sun Face, #18
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
A striking porcelain plate from the celebrated "Themes & Variations" (Tema e Variazioni) series designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Rosenthal, Germany, in the 1980s — Motiv 18, among the most poetic images of the series, in which the face of Lina Cavalieri becomes the sun itself, gazing serenely from a rayed solar disc as it breaks through banks of finely engraved clouds. The black-and-white transfer print is executed with precision on Rosenthal's fine porcelain blank and finished with a gilt rim. The plate retains its original black presentation box with silver sunburst and gilt Rosenthal/Fornasetti marks. Provenance: The Iris Apfel Collection. The plate comes from the holdings of the legendary style icon (1921–2024), whose maximalist eye made Fornasetti a natural fixture of her world — a provenance that suits few designers better. Cavalieri, an operatic soprano, was Fornasetti's eternal muse; he discovered her face in a 19th-century French magazine and returned to it throughout his career. As he famously put it: "What inspired me to create more than 500 variations on the face of a woman? I don't know. I began to make them and I never stopped." Rosenthal's small 1980s range of these designs — sometimes called Julia plates...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti "Pesci" Porcelain Plates, Set of Six Plates with School of Fish
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti “Pesci” Porcelain Fish Plates, Set of Six 1970s-80s This set of six porcelain plates is decorated in the “Pesci” (Fish) pattern, also known as Passata di Pesce, or ...
Porcelain
Fornasetti tray, fantastical hot air balloons c1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful Piero Fornasetti original 1950s tray with fantastical hot air balloon motifs on red background. Hand painted, lithograph
Metal
Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Ceramic Coasters: A Series of Dramatic Opera Chara
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Operatic Gold: Set of 8 Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Coasters, 1960s A spectacular complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters from the "Melodramma" (Melodrama) series,...
Ceramic
Full Set of 6 Vintage Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Gilded Small Bowls, Italy 1950s.
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A complete set of 6 beautiful bowls / barware appetizer bowls with amazing decor and hand-painted gold details. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early prod...
Porcelain
$5,500 / set
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Jerusalem by night" table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 lig...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Attributed Gravure Italian Mid Century Modern Magazine Stand
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage mid century modern Italian Piero Fornasetti attributed magazine stand. This is a gorgeous piece of home decor that bleeds the border between household object, and sculptura...
Aluminum, Brass, Wrought Iron
FORNASETTI Rare Larger Vintage Table Lamp
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal in malachite design (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 ligh...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Early Yellow Ceramic and Gold Sun Pencil Holder, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Piero Fornasetti Early Yellow Ceramic and Gold Sun Pencil Holder, 1950s
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Modern "1964" Porcelain Zodiac Calendar in by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian porcelain "1964" paperweight with calendar by Piero Fornasetti. Lithographic and gilt decoration with charming zodiac figures alongside their corresponding months. Th...
Ceramic
Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A rare and beautiful paperweight with amazing surrealist eyeball decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1950s. Great original conditio...
Porcelain
$705Sale Price|20% Off
Ciotola per Cani in Ceramica "Braque Allemand" di Piero Fornasetti Anni 60
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, MI
Ciotola per cani in ceramica dorata, raffigurante un Pointer Tedesco, realizzata da Piero Fornasetti negli anni '60 Ø cm 13 h cm 3 La ciotola è stata progettata da Piero Fornasetti,...
Ceramic
Citta de Carte/Farfalle Folding Screen by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare and Exceptionally decorated reverse side trompe l’oeil “Citta de Carte” and "Farfalle" four panel folding screen by Piero Fornasetti. lithographic printed and hand colouring on ...
Wood
$1,850
Fornasetti Waste Basket
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Piero Fornasetti Roman Coin Waste Basket Original surface exhibiting wear Decal Label
Metal
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Brass and Metal Tray with Base
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Turin, Turin
Piero Fornasetti was an Italian painter, sculptor, decorator, and craftsman who used ornamental and pictorial motifs to decorate silk scarves, furniture, plates, vessels, and similar...
Metal, Brass
1960s Piero Fornasett Porcelain Catchall 'La Gioconda' , Excellent
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Original astonishing porcelain catchall / vide-poche "La Gioconda" by Piero Fornasetti. Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. Marked on the bottom...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Piero Fornasetti - Libri Proibiti Bookends, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Chicago, IL
Fornasetti - Libri Proibiti Bookends, Italy 1950's. Pair of hand silkscreened metal bookends is embellished with the Libri Proibiti (Forbidden Books). Original Measure 8" tall
Metal
FORNASETTI Poker Card Game Set Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of vintage Dal Negro cards, six dices and chips / Designed by PIero Fornasetti, made in Milan Italy by F...
Wood
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti. We offer this original Italian mid century modern center by Piero Fornasetti featuring an iron base, brass feet and a decorated lacquered w...
Brass, Iron
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray, Italy 1960s.
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bowl / ashtray / trinket dish / jewelry holder with amazing decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1960s. Great original c...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare oranges aluminum Tray Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, ca. 1955 Serigraphed metal. Label not present H 4.5 cm x 39 x 51 cm Bibliography: Mariuccia Casadio, Barnaba Fornasett...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal Themes & Variation Motiv 3, Indian Beauty, 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Gilded Glamour: Rosenthal Fornasetti "The Indian Beauty" Plate This striking porcelain plate, produced by Rosenthal in the 1980s, features one of the most exotic interpretations fro...
Porcelain