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Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Italian, 1913-1988

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.

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Creator: Piero Fornasetti
Fornasetti Gold and White Porcelain Bell
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a unique and rare fornasetti gold and white porcelain bell from Italy.
Category

1950s Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti 'Capitello Ionico' Chair in Black and White, Italy, circa 2006
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A wonderful 'Capitello Ionico' or 'Ionic Capital' wooden chair designed by the great Piero Fornasetti. Originally designed in the 1980, this particular chair is numbered #24 from a v...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Piero Fornasetti Strumenti Musicali Magazine Rack, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and early magazine stand or portariviste designed and manufactured by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s. The vintage rack...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

Fornasetti Coffee Cup Porcelain Gold “I Ponti Di Milano “Ponte San Cristoforo”
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti coffee cup porcelain gold “Ponte San Cristoforo”, 1950.
Category

1950s Other Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Four Plates 'Velieri' by Piero Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Set of Four Plates "Velieri" is an original set of decorative objects realized by the Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti (Milan, 1909 - 19...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Piero Fornesetti "Equestrian" Ashtrays
By Piero Fornasetti, Bergdorf Goodman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of ashtrays with cigarette slots by Piero Fornasetti, (circa 1950s, Italy). These examples retailed at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, as indicated on the reverse. Composed o...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Moro Head Vase by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent enameled gold ceramic vase by Piero Fornasetti (Milan 1913-1988), considered among the most original and creative talents of the 21st century. A rare piece depicting the ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Seven Plates 'Velieri' by Piero Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Set of seven plates "Velieri" is an original set of decorative objects realized by the Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti (Milan, 1909-1988) in the 1960s. Made by Fornaset...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Porcelain Coffee Cup 1950 “Ponte Di Via Olona” Milano
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti porcelain coffee cup 1950 “Ponte Di Via Olona“ Milano, 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Enamel Metal & Mahogany Box by Piero Fornasetti - Horse & Buggy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
Serigraphy of a period horse and buggy on enameled metal and mahogany interior box by Piero Fornasetti, 1950's.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

20th Century Piero Fornasetti Bowl With Letter S
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Epfach, DE
Piero Fornasetti bowl with letter S The beautiful decorative bowl with gilding is also a wonderful gift. The condition is very good, the gilding is not scuffed. You can put it and ha...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Skyphos Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Skyphos is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. In excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, finely decorated with the representation of the greek model "Skyphos" vase. Golden explicative text and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo: "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Large Metal Matchbox By Piero Fornasetti, Italy, c.1960
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A delightful matchbox, with an interior comprised of a metal sliding tray, the exterior decorated with five profiles, with highlighted red lips, four of whom smoking, with black cros...
Category

20th Century Italian Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti, wall mirror, wooden support covered with screen prints.
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Piero Fornasetti, wall mirror, wooden support covered with screen prints with neo-classical decoration of flowers and mythological scenes, circa 1960, Italy. Height 85 cm, width 64 c...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carro Vinario - for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Carro Vinario is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi  in 1960s .
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Alambicco - for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Alambicco per la distillazione dell'alcool   is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi  in 1960s .
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Trozzella - for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Trozzella Leccese  - for Martini & Rossi  is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s .
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Adamo / Adam Porcelain Plate Number 12, Signed, Excellent
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Adamo / Adam porcelain plate # 12. Signed. Excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Trozzella Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Trozzella Leccese - for Martini & Rossi is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, finely decorated with the illustration of the Apulian Leccese "Trozzella" vase, with the golden explicative text and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti's logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small and rare box signed Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milan, 1960s Classic screen-printed decoration. Useful as a pocket emptier
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

'Bassoitti' Metal Umbrella Stand by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Montreal, QC
Bassoitti lithographically printed and painted metal umbrella stand by Piero Fornasetti for Fornasetti Milano.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Il Primo Tino Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Il Primo Tino, for Martini & Rossi is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. This is a black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing the first Martini, Sola & C.gnia Pessio's vat for the vermouth production, described with a golden caption and titled on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo: Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rhyton Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Rhyton is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. This is a black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing the oldest drinking vessel ever found, the Apulian rhyton. With a very detailed golden caption and title on the front of the plate. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo: "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Limited Edition White Porcelain, Black and Gold Printed Plates 1970s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
These two splendid vintage round plates in white porcelain with black and gold decorations are an authentic piece of Italian history. They are a part of a limited edition born from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Gold

Alambicco Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Alambicco per la distillazione dell'alcool is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Original title: Alambicco per la...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Kantaros Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Kantaros - for Martini & Rossi is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: As good as new.  Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, finely decorated with the illustration of the Apulian "Kantharos" vase. Golden explicative text and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti's logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Oinochoe Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
This Oinochoe is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. In excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, superbly decorated with the bacchante motive take from a Greek "Oinochoe" jar. Golden caption and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Carro Vinario Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Carro Vinario is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. In excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing wine-carriage, an ancient means of transportation, a real cart preserved in the Pessione Museum. With a golden caption and title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Servizio Per Porto Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Servizio per Porto in Argento is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Original title: Servizio per Porto in Argento (Silver Set) In excellent conditions: as good as new. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing a silver set, held in the Pessione Museum, with a golden caption and the title on the front. Marked on the back with the description of the series, the title of the plate, and the Fornasetti logo. "Serie di piatti creata da Piero Fornasetti per la Martini and Rossi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Box by Piero Fornasetti from 50's
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and original metal Boxe by Piero Fornasetti from 50's, decorated with pipes, with the original package. in very good and original condition, used for matches, cigarettes jewelry...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti, Set di due scatole da fumo
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Piero Fornasetti, Set di due scatole da fumo Scatole in metallo smaltato e legno disegnate da Piero Fornasetti Anni 50 Il set è composto da una scatola porta sigari e una scatola ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Lamp by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Lamp By Piero Fornasetti One little crack ( see picture) Re-wired Dimensions given without shade No shade included
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Piero Fornasetti Oval Dish with Gilt Pipe and Tobacco Motif
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Piero Fornasetti Pip motif oval dish is painted on a dark blue ground with a gilt design of two pipes entwined with tobacco leaves and tied together with a central ribbon. Ref...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1986
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti Calendar porcelain plate for the Year 1986.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Piero Fornasetti Nummus "Coin" Collector Plate Made In Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage plate designed by Italian artist Piero Fornasetti. The plate is from the "Nummus" series, Nummus is the Latin word for coin, usually referring to a large bronze coin from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Book End
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Toronto, ON
This is a charming one half of a rare Fornastti bookend. It is nonetheless a wonderful collectible and highly decorative accent piece for a desk, or bookshelf display. Who knows may...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti, Sole vide poche, Compagnia del Tabacco Italy 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Sole vide poche designed by Piero Fornasetti Compagnia del Tabacco under license Fornasetti, Italy 1980s Pressed methacrylate H 1.7 cm - 31 x 31 cm Conditions: excellent consiste...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1978
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti calendar porcelain plate for the Year 1978.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 'Maschere' (Masks) Bookends by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1950
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A rare and beautiful pair of 1950s 'Maschere' (Masks) bookends designed by the incomparable Piero Fornasetti. The bookends each depict a Greek theatrical mask, (tragedy), and are exe...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

'Seashells & Portrait Busts' Original Lithgraphic Zinc Plate by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, England
An original zinc lithographic plate by Piero Fornasetti used in his studio in the 1950s to print this design on various items for interior furniture and decoration.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Zinc

Grande Mortaio Bronzeo Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Grande Mortaio Bronzeo, for Martini & Rossi (Large Bronze Mortar - for Martini & Rossi) is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Piero Fornasetti Fish Plates, Italy, 1955
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Piero Fornasetti Fish Plates, Italy, 1955
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Strumenti Musicali Magazine Rack
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magazine rack by Italian designer and artist, Piero Fornasetti, circa 1950s, Italy. The rack features a musical themed lithograph printed on plywood with a wire brass divider on the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Gold Zodiacal Characters S/8 Glasses , Italy 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Gold Zodiacal Characters S/8 Glasses , Italy 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Gold

Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1992
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti calendar porcelain plate for the Year 1992.
Category

1990s Italian Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1989
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti calendar porcelain plate for the year 1989.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate for the Year 1988
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Piero Fornasetti calendar porcelain plate for the year 1988.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Piero Fornasetti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Piero Fornasetti furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 391 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Piero Fornasetti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli, and Richard Ginori. Prices for Piero Fornasetti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $120 and can go as high as $54,990, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,262.
Questions About Piero Fornasetti Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Opera singer Natalina ‘Lina’ Cavalieri is the face that inspired Piero Fornasetti throughout his artistic career, from his plates to wallpaper and more. Lina Cavalieri was known as the most beautiful woman in the world during her lifetime from 1874-1944. It was eight years after Cavalieri’s death that Fornasetti came across her image in a magazine and was thereby inspired to replicate it repetitively. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Piero Fornasetti was an Italian artist and designer born in Milan, Italy, in 1913. In 1950, he founded an atelier in the city, creating furniture and home decorations. Fornasetti died on October 9, 1988. His company, Fornasetti, continues to produce hand-decorated decor under the guidance of his son Barnaba Fornasetti. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Piero Fornasetti is famous for his work as a designer. The Italian artist was one of the wittiest and most imaginative talents of the 20th century. Fornasetti 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 opera singer Lina 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. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti pieces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not Piero Fornasetti images are in the public domain depends on the image. The artist produced more than 11,000 works during his lifetime. Only some no longer carry a copyright and are in the public domain. Shop a range of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.

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