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.
Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp, Black Silk Shade, Italian Design, 1970s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous unique Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp. Made in Italy. This lamp is unique and is in excellent condition, signed at the bottom and it works perfectly. The black silk lamp ...
Metal
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Jerusalem by night" table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 lig...
Metal
FORNASETTI Rare Ceramic Snail Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original white ceramic giant snail lamp / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: length 13.8 inches, width 9.8 inches, height 19.3 inches...
Ceramic
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero 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...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Table Lamp Italy 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Munich, DE
A beautiful and rare table lamp designed by the artist Piero Fornasetti from the 1950s. The wonderful lacquer prints of lamp has different designs on each of the four sides, first de...
Brass
FORNASETTI Rare Larger Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal in malachite design (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 ligh...
Metal
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
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...
Metal
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with violet flowers (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the b...
Metal
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Oggi Maria Pia newspaper table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 198...
Metal
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with various writing instruments, pen, pencil and quill / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 light ...
Metal
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with book motif and butterfly (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original labe...
Metal
$2,750 / item
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp, 2 Available
By Fornasetti, Piero 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...
Metal
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with harlequins (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base ...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Farfalle Butterfly Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern off-white lamp by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression, Piero Fornasetti. The brass lamp features screen-printed green, blue, pink a...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Italian modern floor lamp Sole Piero Fornasetti Antonangeli Illuminazione, 1990s
By Piero Fornasetti, Antonangeli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern floor lamp Sole by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli Illuminazione, 1990s Floor lamp model Sole from the Follia Pratica collection, large version. The frame is made of ...
Plastic
"Architecture" Table Lamp by Piero Fornasetti (Original), Italy 1980s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Argelato, BO
"Architecture" table lamp in brass and metal by Piero Fornasetti (Original), Italy, 1980s Work of the great Italian graphic genius Piero Fornasetti, the "Architettura" lamp represen...
Metal, Brass
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with birds (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 lig...
Metal
$3,999Sale Price / set|27% Off
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with harlequins on red background (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, in the ...
Metal
Fornasetti "Fondale Marino" Table Lamp Produced by Antonangeli
By Piero Fornasetti, Antonangeli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Barnaba Fornasetti, son of Piero Fornasetti, "Fondale Marino" (Seabed) table lamp from the La Follia series for Antonangeli (ca 1990s, Italy). Composed of a flat plastic sheet photos...
Plastic
Piero Fornasetti Green Roman Gladiator Chariot Race Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern lamp by Piero Fornasetti, the Italian master celebrated for his playful and surreal self-expression. Its striking green body showcases screen-printed mot...
Metal, Enamel, Brass
$1,999Sale Price|27% Off
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with book motif and butterfly (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original labe...
Metal
$5,500 / set
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass, in motif of gold keys on malachite / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on...
Metal
$5,500 / set
FORNASETTI Pair of Vintage Table Lamps
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Jerusalem" table lamp with painted metal (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 light / E26 ...
Metal
$2,093
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
Brass
Piero Fornasetti Farfalle Butterfly Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern off-white lamp by the Italian master of playful and surreal self-expression, Piero Fornasetti. The brass lamp features screen-printed green, blue, pink a...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
1960s French Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ceramic lamp from Vallauris, France, 1960's. Glazed ceramic base and handle in light grey coloring. Lovely circular appliqué details on handle and neck. Newly rewired with ne...
Ceramic, Linen
$304Sale Price|64% Off
H 16 in W 9.25 in D 10 in
1970s Black Satin Italian Table Lamp by Luci Design Grignani
By LUCI Illuminazione, Gianfranco Grignani
Located in Montclair, NY
1970s black satin enamel and chrome desk lamp or shelf lamp by Italian lighting company Luci. On top of shade it is printed "Luci Illuminazione d'Interni Mod 475 design Grignani and...
Enamel, Chrome
$5,742 / set
H 14.18 in Dm 8.67 in
Rare Pair of Large Italian Textured Murano Glass Table Lamps by Kaiser Leuchten
By Kaiser Leuchten, Mazzega
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Midcentury pair of vintage textured glass and polished brass table lamps by Kaiser Leuchten with textured coloured Murano glass shade attributed to Mazzega, circa 1970s. A fantastic ...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant Italian desk lamp from the 1950s, representative of post-war modernist design. Its metal shade in original mint-green lacquer brings a rare and refreshing touch, highly sough...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Fine Murano Gilt Glass Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Twin light table lamps, ribbed melon forms with tall necks in elegant classic Murano gilt glass. Mounted on gray painted wood bases. With white fabric drum...
Murano Glass
$867Sale Price|50% Off
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 10.63 in
Rare Italian Harvey Guzzini Table Desk Lamp, 1970s
By Harvey Guzzini
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare black and white Italian desk lamp by Harvey Guzzini with painted metal, fully adjustable, and in a typically Mid-Century Modern look. This mode...
Metal
Italian Design Guzzini Quadrifoglio Table Lamp, Italy - 1970s
By Guzzini, Gae Aulenti
Located in Renens, CH
Quadrifoglio table lamp by iGuzzini, Italy, 1970s. Early edition with original label. This lamp is a real eye catcher. This elegant lamp features a four leaf clover shaped acrylic s...
Metal
$975Sale Price|22% Off
H 28.5 in Dm 8 in
Table Lamp, White Ceramic, Midcentury, Tall White Ceramic Lamp, C 1960, Ceramic
Located in New York, NY
Decorative white ceramic lamp base is 15.5" high, circa 1960. Round, tall base. The shade is not included.
Ceramic
1950s Large French Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ceramic lamp from France, 1950s. Glazed ceramic base in blue, grey, and green tones with light brown speckled coloring. Newly rewired with new tapered linen shade. Takes one ...
Ceramic, Linen
Rare Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's
By Boréns Aktiebolag Lighting 1
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Boréns in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H):...
Brass
1970s Pair of Vintage Brass Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made pair of vintage brass table lamps. They were made in England, they date from around the 1970’s. They are of amazing quality and are a great size. The so...
Brass
Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful large table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives ...
Plexiglass
1990s Gorgeous "Aquarium" Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Piero Fornasetti "Aquarium" Floor Lamp for Antonangeli The "Aquarium" floor lamp, is a rare collaboration between the legendary Piero Fornasetti and Antonangeli. Produced in th...
Plastic
Fornasetti Pair architectural lamps
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Pair of iconic lamps designed by [ier Fornasetti
Brass
Lampada di Piero Fornasetti, Anni '60
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Straordinaria e Rarissima Lampada di Piero Fornasetti A TRE LUCI. Dimensions: H cm 91 Bottom part diameter cm 15 Dimensioni Paralume: H cm 38 Diametro cm 30 Total Size (Lamp + La...
Metal, Brass
1990s Gorgeous "Sun" Table Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous "Sun" table lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli in polypropylene. This lamp is a true piece of modern art and it's in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Dim...
Plastic
Vintage 20th Century Pair Of Italian Table Lamps By Fornasetti
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful pair of table lamps by Piero Fornasetti. These particular models retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly they g...
Plexiglass
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...
Metal
Table lamp by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare « butterflies » table lamp in enameled metal by Piero Fornasetti, Italy circa 1950. Perfect condition.
Metal
A Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives any room...
Plexiglass
A Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives any room...
Plexiglass
A Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives any room...
Plexiglass
A Vintage 20th Century Italian Table Lamp By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful table lamp by Piero Fornasetti. This particular model retailed by Antonangeli in the 1990s, now discontinued and appreciating in value. More importantly it gives any room...
Plexiglass