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Piero Fornasetti Barware

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
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Coasters in Original Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" coasters in original box, Italy, circa 1950s. Nice to find them in their original box, however tattered. This set original...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Soli E Lune Sun and Moon Pattern Ceramic Coasters by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters, "Soli e Lune" Pattern 1970s-80s This set of eight ceramic coasters features the "Soli e Lune" (Suns and Moons) pattern by the renowned Italian d...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Coaster Set, American Antiques
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Coaster Set, "American Antiques", A set of Eight, With Original Gold Box, Circa 1960 The ceramic set of Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters are decorated with a rare pattern called American Antiques. Each piece shows a different item of America, numbered on the reverse 1-8. They come with their original gold box. The subjects are described as follows- Civil War Drum About 1860, 1890 Fire Helmet, Fireman's Ax, Fire Trumpet...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Square Tray by Piero Fornasetti Milano Gun Pattern Metal w. Silkscreen Print
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
The vintage silkscreen printed metal tray designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 1960s features fine detailed depictions of guns spanning several centuries. The silkscreen printing tech...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Metal

Vintage PIero Fornasetti Chariot Porcelain Gilded Coasters Barware Set of 8
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage hallmarked Piero Fornasetti coasters are porcelain with gold. They are of the Roman Chariot design. Marked Fornasetti MIlano Made In Ita...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Gold

Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Set Neo-Classical Mythological Gold Coasters Mitologia
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti ceramic complete set of neo-classical gold coasters, Mitologia Pattern, Mythology Pattern, 1950s Measures: Diameter 4 1/8 inches x...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Cocktail or Glass Coasters, Set of Eight
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" set of 8 bar or drink coasters, circa 1970's. This stylish set of cocktail coasters were produced exclusively for the New York City department store Bonw...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Greco Roman Black and Gold Catchall Vide-Poche Jewelry Dish Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
An Italian porcelain jewelry tray or dish with Greco-Roman design by designer by Piero Fornasetti, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Italy. Tray is black and gold with a Greco-Roman sce...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Greco Roman Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain and Gilded Appetizer Bowls Midcentury Barware Set / 6
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These fabulous small Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti vintage appetizer small serving bowls are porcelain with gilded gold edges, bottom and ins...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Gold

MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti, Painted with Hot Air Balloons, "Palloni"
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of eight ceramic coasters by Fornasetti, in the "Pallino" pattern. Each painted with an historic hot air balloon on the front with English translat...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Eight Vintage Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters in the "Vini E Liquori" Pattern
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight drinks coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 'Vini E Liquori' pattern, each depicting a different liquor bottle label in 22 karat gold.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Coasters Il Mondo Alla Rovescia Midcentury Set of 8
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These theatrical vintage Piero Fornasetti complete set of 8 hand painted very colorful porcelain coasters and or small plates are Mid-Century Modern. They are for an opera and in translation of English for the opera mean Topsy Turvy. Great barware. These are not common. They come in their original round gold box...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Fornasetti Ceramic Bar Coasters 'Vini e Liquori'
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Cocktail Fornasetti Time! Fabulous complete set of 8 spirits and wine coasters including Whisky, Rum, Port, Brandy, Sherry, Rhenish, Gin and Madeira called 'Vini e Liquori'. A vintage classic and perfect for entertaining. Note with lighting some of the golds vary however they are all consistent color of a nice gilt but lighting creates...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti in the "Mitologia" (Myth) Pattern in 22k Gold
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage ceramic coasters by Fornasetti made exclusively for Bonwitt Teller stores. Decorated with gold in white ceramic in the "Mitologia" (Myth) pattern, each depicts a different scene from classical...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Coaster Reclining "Adam” 7 of 8, 1965, Mid-century
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plate number 7 from the quite rare and sought after of Fornasetti 1960’s design series, Adamo & Eva (1965). Compared to his much more severe standing “Adam" of a decade earlier, this...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Coaster Reclining "Adam” 2 of 8, 1965, Mid-century
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plate number 2 from the quite rare and sought after of Fornasetti 1960’s design series, Adamo & Eva (1965). Compared to his much more severe standing “Adam" of a decade earlier, this...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Set of Eight Quand on Arrive Clock Coasters, When One Arrives
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Set of Eight "Quand on Arrive" Clock Coasters, "When one arrives" Early 1960s. These charming early Piero Fornasetti large coasters, each with a clock face and ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Tray with Still Life, Natura Morta Pattern, Early, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
This is how you serve your guests in style! A Piero Fornasetti tray with still life, Natura Morta pattern, Mid- 1950s. This is a wonderful early 1950s oval red tray...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

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 Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Related Items
Piero Fornasetti Series 8 Coasters Commissioned by Banca Unione Milan
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Complete set of eight porcelain coasters produced in 1970 by Piero Fornasetti; they were expressly commissioned by the Banca Unione of Milan; the graphics with the decoration "Le Monete" represents eight variations on the theme of coins made in black and pure gold with the third firing; the term "third firing" means, in ceramics, the third firing that is applied to an object to add decorations, especially those in pure gold, a technique that requires great skill and precision; the saucers represent in numerical order 1)Boat, 2)Home, 3)idea, 4)Everything, 5)Holidays, 6)Christmas, 7)Student, 8)Car; they are contained in a golden cardboard case. These are Fine collectibles in excellent condition; the saucers were created in 1970 to be given as gifts by Banca Unione of Milan to its customers; they were made by Piero Fornasetti (1931-1988) a versatile and eclectic founder of the design and decorative arts atelier that bears his name. The Banca Unione was established in 1919 by Carlo Feltrinelli, father of Giangiacomo, a publisher very close to the left; among the minority shareholders were Bastogi (the largest Italian financial); since 1968 the bank became the property of the financier and fixer Michele Sindona (1920-1986) who secured the absolute majority along with the Vatican; the Bank dedicated itself to the Italian market by launching an unprecedented commercial policy, in an attempt to reconcile the interests of the institution with socially advanced actions. According to Sindona, in Italy, banks were only interested in the wealthy, snubbing the categories of workers with modest incomes. Sindona overturned this logic and, ahead of his time, sent Banca Unione promoters into the factories. Sindona was a member of the P2 lodge (card no. 0501) and had clear associations with Cosa Nostra and the Gambino family in the United States. Involved in the Calvi affair, he was behind the murder of Giorgio Ambrosoli. He died poisoned...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Salta Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Cream Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Organic Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Complete Set of Eight 'Soli e Lune' Drinks Coasters by Fornasetti, Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A complete set of 1960s ceramic drinks coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1960. This design, titled 'Soli e Lune' or Sun and Moon is one of Piero's most popular and ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Beautiful Pistol & Gun Serving Bar Tray, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
One beautiful and decorative square serving tray, made of metal, with a nice pistols and guns pattern. From the 1960s, unmarked, in the manner of Studio Piero Fornasetti, Italy. In v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Metal

Set of 18 Egyptian Silver Mid-Century Coasters
Located in New York, NY
Set of 18 Egyptian silver coasters, made in Cairo circa 1943-1944, with a finely engraved geometric motif adorning the rim, measuring 3'' in diameter (inner diameter 2 1/8'') by 1/4'...
Category

1940s Egyptian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Silver

Piero Fornasetti Pin Tray or Ashtray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Pin Tray or Ashtray, 1950s-60s, This rectangular ceramic tray features raised sides and a playful design by Piero Fornasetti. Two contrasting hearts, one ye...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Pin Tray or Ashtray
Piero Fornasetti Pin Tray or Ashtray
H 0.75 in W 5.5 in D 4.25 in
Set of 4 Golden & White Ceramic Small Coaster, Fornasetti Mitologia Series
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This Fornasetti Mitologia set includes four 4 inch (10.5 cm) coasters, . These are in very good condition considering their age, with slight fading of the gold and some very light sc...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Gold Plate

Mid-Century Cork and Steel Coasters, Set of Six
Located in Miami, FL
Set of six Mid-Century Modern steel and double sided cord coasters from the 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Circular Lucite Coasters - Set of 8
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Experience the minimalist elegance of Mid Century Modern with a set of 8 circular Lucite coasters, blending iconic design with functionality. These coasters are not just a practical ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Lucite

Fornasetti Tray-Juggler with Spinning Plates, Atelier Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Tray Juggler with Spinning Plates, Atelier Fornasetti, Dated 2017, N 16 The black circular tray is printed with a pattern of Themes & Variation numbered 193. It depi...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Metal

Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Cocktail or Glass Coasters, Set of Eight
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" set of 8 bar or drink coasters, circa 1970's. This stylish set of cocktail coasters were produced exclusively for the New York City department store Bonw...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain and Gilded Appetizer Bowls Midcentury Barware Set / 6
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These fabulous small Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti vintage appetizer small serving bowls are porcelain with gilded gold edges, bottom and ins...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Gold

Previously Available Items
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Wine & Liquor Coasters, Vini E Liquori Pattern
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Wine & Liquor Coasters, Vini E Liquori Pattern, 1950s. The charming complete set of coasters named Gin, Rum, Sherry, Madeira, Port, Rhenish, Brandy, and Whiskey. E...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Fornasetti Ceramic Bar Box Set of Eight Coasters Picturing "Eva”, Midcentury
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
Fornasetti ceramic bar box withe eight coasters picturing "Eva”, 1965. A classic motiv, Eva tempting Adam with an apple. Fornasetti 1960’s design series, Adamo & Eva (1965).
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Porcelain

1950s Piero Fornasetti Soli e Lune Coasters with Original Yellow Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Soli e Lune ceramic coasters with original yellow box, 1950s The early Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters are each decorated with a...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Set of Eight Ceramic Coasters Sezioni di Frutta Pattern
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti set of eight Coasters Sezioni di Frutta Pattern, With Original Gold Box, Circa 1960s. This is a fantastic and rare series with sections of different fruits depi...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Piero Fornasetti Wine & Liquor Coasters, Vini E Liquori, With Original Gold Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti wine & liquor coasters, Vini E Liquori, With Original Gold Box, 1960's. The charming complete set of coasters with their origina...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Small Coasters Soli E Lune- Sun and Moon
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti ceramic small coasters Soli E Lune- Sun and Moon, 1950s The small circular complete set of black and white ceramic coasters depict eight moon designs of the same...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coaster Plates Antichi Planisferi-Ancient Maps
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters Antichi Planisferi- Anchient Maps, 1950-60s. Piero Fornasetti complete set of eight barware coaster depicting di...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Set of Eight Coasters-“The Topsy-turvy World”
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti set of eight coasters, Il Mondo Alla Rovecia Pattern, (“The topsy-turvy world”), 1950-60s The set of whimsical pottery barware ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Eight Themes & Variations Coasters with Original Gold Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Set of Eight Themes & Variations Coasters with Original Gold Box, "Tema E Variazioni", The 1960s The complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti coasters is painted in the Themes & V...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Piero Fornasetti Love Coasters & Original Red Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti love coasters & original red box, 1950's Each coaster has a central white heart on a gold ground. Within each heart is a ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Barware Ceramic Wine Coasters, Wine and Liquor
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Wine & Liquor Coasters, Vini E Liquori, 1950's. The charming complete set of coasters show Gin, Rum, Sherry, Madeira, Port, Rhenish, Brandy and Whiskey. Each co...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Barware Snack Appetizer Bowls
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti ceramic barware snack appetizer bowls, 1960s Each pottery barware appetizer bowl has a different design of items related to bar s...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Piero Fornasetti Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Piero Fornasetti barware 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 barware, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original barware by Piero Fornasetti were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider barware by Lino Sabattini, Macabo, and Alessandro Albrizzi. Prices for Piero Fornasetti barware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $345 and can go as high as $3,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $850.
Questions About Piero Fornasetti Barware
  • 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 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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