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.
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
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
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
FORNASETTI Glass Paperweight
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
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
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
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
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
Fornasetti paper weight 1962 Zodiac calendar
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with Zodiac calendar c1962
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
$576Sale Price|20% Off
Piero Fornasetti Crystal Paperweight Sphere, Italian Design, 1970s
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
Capricorn Astrological Sign - Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Zodiac Paperweight
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Desk Astrology: Piero Fornasetti's Gilded Capricornus Pebble Paperweight A stylish and highly collectible object, this vintage Piero Fornasetti ceramic "Pebble" paperweight features...
Ceramic
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960 Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Glass
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Brass
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...
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
$520
H 9.25 in W 5.25 in D 1.25 in
Mid Century Catchall Arturo Toscanini in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Porcelain catchall/ashtray by Piero Fornasetti - Milano The 1950s-1960s The large ceramic tray or ashtray depicts the poster of Toscanini' Concert. "This is the poster of the inaugu...
Porcelain
Venini Glass Paperweight
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
This egg-shaped Venini glass paperweight has a purple spiral encased in an orange spiral. It still bears the original Venini label with the Veronese va...
Glass
$750
H 2 in W 4.75 in D 4 in
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
$452 / item
H 1.66 in W 3.15 in D 3.75 in
Set of 4 Midcentury Stackable Solid Brass Austrian Ashtrays After Adnet, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique set of four stackable ashtrays in solid brass. This stylish and versatile set was produced in Austria during the 1950s after Jacques Adnet. Fully original and i...
Brass
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: 9.5 in...
Wood
$1,100
H 0.63 in W 5.5 in D 4.25 in
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
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
Isamu Kenmochi 1960s MCM Chrome & Red Plastic Ashtray or Catchall Dish
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Japanese designer Isamu Kenmochi Ashtray or Catchall chrome & red melamine. Underside is marked "MARU /TREND PACIFIC, INC/...
Metal, Chrome
1967 Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Paperweight Calendar by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This highly collectible and whimsical ceramic paperweight is a fantastic piece of mid-century modern design from the legendary Piero Fornasetti. Created for the year 1967, this piece...
Ceramic
1950s Fornasetti Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By 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
Fornasetti paper weight with NATO phonetic alphabet with pen rest
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with pen holder. With the phonetic alphabet o as in Oscar P as in Papa Q as in Quebeck etc..
Porcelain
Vintage Paper basket Bin by Piero Fornasetti for Atelier Fornasetti, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Göteborg, SE
Paper basket / Bin by Piero Fornasetti for Atelier Fornasetti, 1950s Its made of tin, decor of rattan in gold color. It stands on brass feet. Amazingly beautiful labeling underneath...
Brass, Tin
Sold
H 1.58 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
20th Century Piero Fornasetti Paperweight Calendar Happy 1968 Porcelain
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Epfach, DE
20th century Piero Fornasetti Milano Paperweight Calendar Happy 1968 A rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight by Piero Fornasetti Milano 1968. happy 1969, design Piero Fornasetti. T...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Pipes Midcentury Small Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small tray, which would have been marketed as a "basin shaped ashtray" in the 1950’s, by the god of mid-century graphic transferware, Piero Fornasetti. Goo...
Ceramic
Fornasetti Ceramic Hand-painted Paperweight Stone of Crossed Keys
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Is there anything that feels better in the hand than a Fornasetti stone? This hollow white glazed ceramic transferware paperweight with hand applied gold detail is in excellent vintage condition with one glaze fleck under the key on the right side and a bit of rubbing to the gilding. As far as gilded...
Ceramic
1950s Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight by Piero Fornasetti with an amazing sun motif. Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. This item is in very g...
Porcelain
1950s Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with amazing motives. Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. This item is in ve...
Porcelain
1950s Fornasetti Catchall in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Original astonishing ceramic catchall "La Follia Pratica" designed by Piero Fornasetti . Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. Marked on the botto...
Porcelain
1950s Empty Pocket in porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Formasetti original astonishing porcelain empty pocket "Valse Brillante - Frederic Chopin" by Piero Fornasetti . Heavy porcelain construction for...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Zodiac Ceramic "Libra" Pebble Paperweight
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Zodiac "Libra" Pebble Paperweight, Original Gold Box, 1960s This rare Piero Fornasetti Ceramic pebble paperweight in its original gold presentation box....
Ceramic