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.
Four 1970s 26 cm Porcelain Wall Plates Temi e Variazioni by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An exquisite and rare set of four vintage Tema e Variazioni black and white porcelain wall plates designed by Piero Fornasetti during the 1960s to 1970s. Each plate measures 26 cm in...
Porcelain
$1,800
FORNASETTI Malachite Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with motif golden guns on green malachite / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the fel...
Wood
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Butterflies Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative matches box with enamel metal portraying a butterflies on red background, and mahogany wood insert / made by Fornasetti in Milan Italy in the 1960s Length: 8 inche...
Metal
Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight with Butterflies, Made in Italy
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
Full Set of 6 Vintage Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Gilded Small Bowls, Italy 1950s.
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Box
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
$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 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
$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
Piero Fornasetti Vintage Ceramic Canister Storage Jars, Italy Flour, Tea, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Piero Fornasetti vintage ceramic storage jars, Italy, 1960s. Flour, coffee, tea There is a sugar one as well from the same collection but ...
Ceramic
$1,850
Fornasett waste Basket
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Piero Fornasetti Waste Basket Cartouche Panels depicting Angels and Flowers original surface showing wear Label present
Metal
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
Fornasetti Jewelry Dish or Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
An Italian porcelain tray or dish with Greco-Roman design by designer by Piero Fornasetti, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Italy. Use on a desk/vanity or on a cocktail table. etc. Tra...
Porcelain
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
Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
Vintage 20th Century Italian "Libreria" Waste Paper Basket By Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A highly decorative Fornasetti waste paper basket from the celebrated Libreria series, showcasing the whimsical imagination and trompe-l'œil artistry for which Piero Fornasetti becam...
Metal
$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
Vintage 1987 Happy Calendario Plate by Piero Fornasetti, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Happy 1987 - Calendario is a silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti i n 1987 from the Calendario series , the Happy New Year dishes series. Excellent con...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray, Italy 1960s.
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
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
1950s Piero Fornasetti Neoclassical Green Metal & Sculpted Brass Wastebasket
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in St. Louis, MO
This rare and highly collectible 1950s mid-century modern wastepaper basket is a definitive example of early Italian decorative arts, designed and produced by the master Piero Fornas...
Metal, Brass
Fornasetti Enameled Box, Italy, 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Enameled box by Piero Fornasetti. Decorated green metal shell with inner wood element.
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Cigarette Box Le Porte Di Milano by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
Earth Signs, Set of 3 Plates from Zodiac Plate Series by P. Fornasetti, 1965
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Earth signs- Zodiac Plate Series is a set of elegant porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Perugia in 1965. Good conditions except for the plate depicting Taurus that ...
Porcelain
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
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Tray with Musical Instrument Motif
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant rectangular porcelain tray by Piero Fornasetti, featuring a characteristic composition of crossed musical instruments rendered in vivid, graphic colors. The motif reflects Fo...
Porcelain
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
Fornasetti paper weight 1962 Zodiac calendar
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with Zodiac calendar c1962
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti House of Cards Surrealist Porcelain Tray, 1950's Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This dream like hallmarked Mid-Century Modern original vintage Piero Fornasetti small tray, dish or desk accessory is lithographically hand painted porcelain. It is called the House ...
Porcelain
Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful lidded porcelain jars with an amazing hand-painted gold pattern. From the series 'Spighe' (Spikes). Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Ea...
Porcelain
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.
Porcelain
1970s Set of Vintage Porcelain Plates, by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
1970s plate, Calendar series is a set of 9 silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti during the 1970s from the Calendario series, the Happy New Year dishes series. It includes all the years except 1977. Good conditions. Black and white ceramic Fornasetti wall plate...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Red Strumenti Musicali Music Metal Bookends
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Musical Opulence": Fornasetti "Strumenti Musicali" Red & Gold Metal Bookends Circa 1960 A luxurious and highly decorative pair of metal booken...
Metal
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Caduceus" Lithograph Gilt Porcelain Green Ashtray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage celadon/mint green ceramic ashtray/trinket dish with cigarette slots by Piero Fornasetti, (circa 1950s, Italy). Features lithographic tra...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Porcelain Moorhead Italy 1950s Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Munich, DE
Early Vintage Piero Fornasetti flower pot in white and black cast ceramic themed “Moor’s Head”. The theme of the moor’s head takes inspiration...
Porcelain
1960s Catchall in Porcelain "KING EDWARD I" by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1960s A striking and highly collectible mid-century porcelain vide-poche (catch-all tray / trinket dish) designed by Piero Fornasetti in collaboration with Martini & Rossi. Know...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Rosone Charger, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage decorative Rosone N.6 large plate or charger designed and manufactured by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression Piero Fo...
Porcelain
Anfora Spagnuola Detta "Porron" by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Anfora Spagnuola Detta "Porron" is an elegant silk-screened porcelain plate, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Martini & Rossi in 1960s . In excellent condition. Black and white c...
Porcelain
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...
Pine
Vintage Fornasetti Panel by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 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 Piero Fornasetti Medaglioni Crescent Catchall Trays, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A set of six (6) vintage catch all crescent shaped decorative dishes designed and manufactured by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expr...
Porcelain
1950's Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Insulator Paperweight, Black & Gold
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Piero Fornasetti porcelain insulator measurement paperweight is gold with a black background. Italian through and through. It is titl...
Gold
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 ...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti, 'Armature' decorative plate, circa 1950, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
'Armature' decorative plate, circa 1950 Piero Fornasetti Italy, circa 1950 Made in Porcelain, reversed signed ‘Piero Fornasetti’. Made in Italy. Dimensions: 25.5 D cm / 10 D in
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti, mandolins cigars Box, Milan Italy, ca. 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Piero Fornasetti, mandolins cigars Box Milan Italy, ca. 1960s Wood and hand refined lacquered aluminium H 4 cm x 8 × 20 cm Label not present Conditions: good consistent with age...
Metal
Vintage Fornasetti Panel by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 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
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...
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...
Porcelain
Bookender by Piero Fornasetti, Metal with Velvet, Italy, 1950s Design
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. Insurance may be requested by cu...
Metal
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...
Porcelain
$576Sale Price|20% Off
Piero Fornasetti Crystal Paperweight Sphere, Italian Design, 1970s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Piero Fornasetti astonishing crystal paperweight sphere in excellent condition. Made in Italy. This spherical piece features the hauntingly beautiful gaze of Lina Cavalieri, F...
Crystal
Set of P. Fornasetti Decorative Porcelain Plates for Martini & Rossi, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Piero Fornasetti complete collection of twelve decorated and enamelled porcelain plates. Limited edition for Martini & Rossi of Turin, inspired by the main pieces of the Casa Martini...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Signed Box, Wood and Metal, Made in Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
2000s (2019) Astonishing wood and metal box designed by Piero Fornasetti produced by Fornasetti, in excellent condition. Made in Italy. The box is signed and is the n.1 of the year 2...
Metal
$703Sale 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
Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small and rare box signed Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milan, 1960s Classic screen-printed decoration. Useful as a pocket emptier
Wood
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...
Metal
Pair of Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Ceramic Jars 'Serie Spighe', Italy 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful lidded porcelain jars with an amazing hand-painted gold pattern. From the series 'Spighe' (Spikes). Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Ea...
Porcelain
$492Sale Price|20% Off
Piatto Calendario in Ceramica di Fornasetti Anni 1993
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, MI
Piatto Calendario in ceramica di Fornasetti, realizzato per l'anno 1993 Ø cm 24 I piatti calendario sono una tradizione Fornasetti dal 1968, originariamente concepiti come strenna ...
Ceramic
Set of Six Fornasetti Gilt Porcelain Profili Romani Roman Emperor Vide Poches
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Collection of six porcelain vide-poches/trinket dishes designed by Piero Fornasetti (ca. 1960s, Italy). Four from the "Profili Roman" series depict lithographically decorated imagery...
Gold Leaf
Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Pistole Pattern Metal Basket or Waste Bin
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish mid-century Italian metal refuse bin decorated with the ‘Pistole’ design by renowned Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988) and dating from ...
Metal