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.
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
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
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
$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
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
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing cards box in walnut wood and metal case, it holds two packs of cards / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Length: 5.5 inches / Width: 4 in...
Metal
Cole & Son Wallpaper TEMA E VARIAZIONI Lina Cavalleri Face by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Torquay, GB
One roll of new old stock unopened Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni (Themes & Variations) face of Lina Cavalleri wallpaper by Cole & Son London circa early 2000s. Purchase around ...
Paper
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
$1,800
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: 12 inc...
Wood
Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Conchiglie Pattern Plate with Sea Anemones and Shells
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Marine Whimsy: Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Conchiglie" (Shells) Plate #11 Circa 1960–1970 A vibrant and whimsical vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti, featuring the ...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Hot Air Balloon Plate, Mongolfiere, Rosenthal
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Celestial Voyage: The Fornasetti "Mongolfiere" Balloon Plate (Motiv 1) 1980s This captivating porcelain plate by the visionary Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988) features the enchanting "...
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
$1,200
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
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Rare Trumeau mod. Gran Coromandel
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
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
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
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
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
Piero Fornasetti “Il Minestrone” Plate, Specialità Milanesi, Italy Mid Century
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
Mid-Century Whimsy: Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Appetizer Bowls
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mid-Century Whimsy: Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Appetizer Bowls Circa 1960 This charming set of six ceramic snack or appetizer bowls perfectly encapsulates the graphic wit and style of...
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Forna...
Wood
Piero Fornasetti surrealist style carpet "Italian gardens" yellow black
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
A multifaceted figure on the 20th century Italian art scene, Fornasetti was active as a designer, decorator, painter, curator and printmaker. His mass-produced but limited works char...
Wool
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
Piero Fornasetti "Pesci" Porcelain Plates, Set of Six Plates with School of Fish
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Swarming School of Style: Fornasetti’s Vibrant "Pesci" Porcelain Dinner Plates Dive into the vibrant, hypnotic depths of this captivating set of six porcelain plates by Piero Fornas...
Porcelain
Mid century Piero Fornasetti “Bassorilievo” pattern magazine rack
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Piero Fornasetti Magazine rack with wooden frame and silk-screened “Bassorilievo” decoration. Prod. Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1950 (minor losses, crazing to the paint and oxidisati...
Metal
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
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
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Plate, The Sun, Rosenthal. Motiv 18
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Radiant Archetype: The Fornasetti Sun Plate (Motiv 18) from the Iris Apfel Collection This rare and exceptional plate belongs to the globally recognized Themes & Variations (Tema e ...
Porcelain
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Decorative Wooden Screen Gran Coromandel
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...
Wood
FORNASETTI City of Cards Playing Cards Box
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
$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
$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
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
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
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
1960s Mid-Century Modern Cigarette Box Le Porte Di Milano by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A beautiful and rare mid-century modern cigarette box designed by the renowned Italian artist, Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988), in the 1960s. This piece is part of the iconic "Le Porte ...
Metal, Brass
Fornasetti Plate Capricorn Zodiac Sign Porcelain, 1963, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti plate Capricorn zodiac sign porcelain, 1963, Italy.
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
$277Sale Price|70% Off
Piero Fornasetti Large Plate Gilded Acorn Ptn from Pigne Series, Circa 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Rare Piero Fornasetti porcelain large plate, dating to the mid century 1950's It is from the Pigne series in the rare Gilded acorn pattern with detailed hand gilding as per...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI "Fiori della notte" Round Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large vintage original round "fiori della notte" table with transfer-printed wooden top and fluted black base, can be used as a dining table or center table / made in Milan Italy by ...
Wood
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 Dal Negro cards, six dices and chips / Designed by PIero Fornasetti, made in Milan Italy by F...
Wood
FORNASETTI Hot Air Balloon Poker Card Game Set Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hot air balloon poker card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of playing cards, eight dices and chips / Designed by PIe...
Wood
$2,999Sale Price|23% Off
FORNASETTI Two Tier Tray Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table with two removable trays in lacquered wood and faux bamboo patinated brass base / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti labels on the base of tra...
Brass
Piero Fornasetti, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
FORNASETTI Glass Paperweight
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage glass sphere paperweight by Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1990s Original label underside Diameter: 3 inches / Height: 1.5 inches 1 ...
Glass
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
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
Piero Fornasetti Neo-classical Porcelain Green Malachite Cammei (Cameo) Plate
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Malachite Medallion: Piero Fornasetti’s "Cammei" Plate with Bacchanalian Scene Presenting another exquisite piece from the famed "Cammei" (Cameo) series by Piero Fornasetti, dating ...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp Italy 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Munich, DE
A beautiful and rare table lamp designed by the artist Piero Fornasetti from the 1950s. The wonderful lacquer prints of lamp has different designs on each of the four sides, first de...
Brass
20th Century Piero Fornasetti Plates Gilt Porcelain
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Epfach, DE
Piero Fornasetti plate, to use as a place plate, dinner plate as well as decoration the plates are in a nice used condition, small abrasions of the gold are not further disturbing bu...
Porcelain
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
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Themes and Variation, Motiv 15
By Piero Fornasetti, Rosenthal
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 Strumenti Musicali Ceramic Plates, Set of Six
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Surrealist Symphony: A Set of Six Piero Fornasetti ‘Strumenti Musicali’ Plates Atelier Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, Circa 1950s–1960s This captivating set of six porcelain plates repre...
Porcelain
MCM Boxed set of 8 Fornasetti Vini E Liquori Ceramic Coasters for Rosenfeld
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of eight white ceramic coasters in the Vini E Liquori pattern by Fornasetti for Rosenfeld Importers. Each decorated in black and gold on white ceramic. Each coaster is decorated ...
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Butterfly Poker Card Game Set Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage butterfly poker card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of playing cards, eight dices and chips / Designed by PIero Fornasetti, made in Milan Italy by Fornase...
Wood
FORNASETTI Greek Key Round Mirror
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round wall mirror, featuring greek keys motif in a gold tone over a green and black granite like pattern / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label un...
Wood, Mirror
$4,616Sale Price|30% Off
Fornasetti's Panel by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Panel realized by Piero Fornasetti in 1950s. Screen print on wood. Brass frame. Covered with glass. Most probably a unique specimen, realized in 1950s for Sartoria Fanucchi...
Metal, Brass
Set of six Fornasetti 'Specialita Romane' recipe plates c1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful set of six original Fornasetti Roman recipe plates. Italy c1950 Each plate with a typical Roman cuisine recipe along with a depiction of an historical Roman building.
Porcelain