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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 Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal of the face of Lina Cavalieri (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the b...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated in various musical instruments (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original lab...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
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...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Butterfly Poker Card Game Set Box
By Fornasetti, Piero 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...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

FORNASETTI "Jerusalem by Night" Panel
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare original vintage "Jerusalem by Night" screen print on wood panel, designed by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti Original label on the back Measures: width 37 ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Vintage Italian Piero Fornasetti Milano Velieri Coaster 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This stunning Piero Fornasetti coaster bears all of the signature style of the esteemed Italian artist -- a striking black and white graphic on the front of a circular form with an e...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Piero Fornasetti Milano Dish
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This stunning Piero Fornasetti dish bears all of the signature style of the esteemed Italian artist -- a striking black and white graphic on the front of a rectangular form with an e...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Fornasetti Milano Creme de Cocu Porcelain Dish 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This stunning Piero Fornasetti dish bears all of the signature style of the esteemed Italian artist -- a striking black and white graphic on the front of a rectangular form with a wa...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Fornasetti Milano Falstaff Porcelain Dish 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is an early dish by Piero Fornasetti. This design is no longer in production and relates to his early work but is not a theme he later continued into production. In 1945, he adv...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Porron Plate for Martini & Rossi, by P. Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Porron is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s. Excellent conditions: as good as new. This is a b/w ceramic Fornasetti wall plate, representing the Spanish amphora called "porron", realized to drink wine gracefully. 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 Ashtray Porcelain 1950 Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti ashtray porcelain 1950 Italy.
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

White and Gold "Piede Romano" Roman Left Foot by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Doraville, GA
A porceline "Piede Romano" or a left Roman foot in white with gold accents designed by Piero Fornasetti. The foot has an earlier Fornasetti insigna on the...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Complete Zodiac Signs from 1963-1974 Porcelain, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and exclusive Piero Fornasetti Zodiac Signs from 1963-1974 porcelain, Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Other 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

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

Floor Lamp by Fornasetti, Italy 1980s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Silver metal and glass floor lamp with reverse painted and etched glass by Piero Fornasetti. Italy, 1980s. Two available
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

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

Vintage Lidded Wooden Box with Brass Hinges by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage box with a brass hinged lid. The box was designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s / 1960s. The box is composed of what appears to be a mahogany dovetailed wooden box, bras...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

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

Six Dishes "Serie Spighe" 'Spikes Series' by Piero Fornasetti, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Six dishes "Spikes Series" is an original porcelain set realized by Piero Fornasetti (Milan, 1913-1988) in the 1960s. Original silk-screened porcelain. Marked on the base. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Bookender by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Bookenders is a decorative object realized by Piero Fornasetti, in 1950s.  Metal structure with velvet parts, some parts damaged. 20 x 15 x 13 cm. Good conditions, some yellowing ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Piero Fornesetti "Equestrian" Ashtrays
By Bergdorf Goodman, Piero Fornasetti
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

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

Vintage Italian Piero Fornasetti Cocktail Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Piero Fornasetti coffee table, Milano, Italy. Graphic patchwork design with triangles and chevrons - lithographic transfer on wood. Brass finish patinated metal base. La...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Painting from the Trophies series, Piero Fornasetti, 1970
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Painting from the series "Trophies," Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1970, silkscreen on lacquered wood with brass frame, decorative elements inspired by neoclassical motifs, Fornasetti sig...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Paper

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

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

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

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 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 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

'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

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, 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

Fornasetti Red Lip Lacquered Bocca Stool
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988) black and white lacquered wood Bocca stool featuring the red lips of Lina Cavallieri (Italian, 1874-1944), upon three tapering black legs, marke...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

20th Century Trinket Box By Piero Fornasetti, Italy, c.1960/70's
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A delightful glove box or trinket box by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1960s / 1970s, with sliding cedar interior, bearing the label 'Trofeo, Selvaggina' to the side of the box. The exteri...
Category

20th Century Italian Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Pine

Coffee table with tray by Piero Fornasetti 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Torino, IT
Coffee table with brass legs and pull-out tray by Piero Fornasetti 1960s
Category

1960s Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Italian Faux Malachite Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in East Hampton, NY
Fabulous faux malachite floor lamp by Piero Fornasetti in beautiful condition with all new wiring a great mid-century piece! It comes with a custom gold drum shade...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

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 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 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

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 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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