Fornasetti Rare Complete Set of 12 "Le Oceanidi" Plates, Italy, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Fornasetti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 12
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In excellent original condition with no reparations and used for display only with some fading consistent with age.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Fornasetti
The Italian artist, illustrator and furniture maker Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative design 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 the 19th-century 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 desks to dinner plates, lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often surreal 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 his 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 Fornasetti’s collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking a 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chappaqua, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Gio Ponti and Carlo Alberto Rossi Rare Bucchero Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in New York, NYGio Ponti and Carlo Alberto Rossi rare classical Bucchero ceramic vase with two handles, Italy, circa 1951. Signed C. A. Rossi under the base. Bu...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Bruno Gambone Set of Three Small Ceramic or Stoneware Vases, Italy, 1970sBy Bruno GamboneLocated in New York, NYBruno Gambone set of three small stoneware or ceramic vases or vessels, Italy, 1970s. This beautiful set of small stoneware vases are grouped together nicely with contrasting and c...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware
- 1950s Italian Rare Pair of Grand Scale Oval Brass MirrorsLocated in New York, NY1950s Italian rare pair of grand scale oval wall mirrors. These elegant mirrors are large and striking in size and have a beautiful rich patinated shaped ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Stilnovo Rare Pair of Two-Light Articulating Sconces, Italy, 1950sBy StilnovoLocated in New York, NYStilnovo rare pair of adjustable articulating two-light cone-shaped sconces or wall lights with cream lacquered perforated metal shades which pivot with brass handles, and attached t...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1950s Italian Rare Grand Scale Oval Brass MirrorLocated in New York, NY1950s Italian rare grand scale oval wall mirror. This elegant mirror is large and striking in size and has a beautiful rich patinated shaped brass frame a...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Fontana Arte Rare Etched Glass Mirror, Italy, 1950sBy Fontana ArteLocated in New York, NYFontana Arte rare exquisite circular colored and etched glass framing mirrored glass encased in gilt brass, Italy, 1950s. This extraordinary ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Set of 5 1950s Piero Fornasetti Grandi Maestri Gold Ceramic PlatesBy FornasettiLocated in London, GBSet of 5 Fornasetti ceramic /gold plates “Grandi Maestri” series. Ceramic plate by Piero Fornasetti of the series ” Grandi Maestri ” Music Great Masters. Ceramic, silk screen prin...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Piero Fornasetti Set of Six Strumenti Musicali Plates, 1950s-1960sBy FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAPiero Fornasetti set of six strumenti musicali plates 1950s-1960s. The plates each depict a different selection of stringed instruments including guitars and lutes on a faux bois...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- 1970 Pino Castagna Italian Ceramic Set of 12 PlatesBy Pino CastagnaLocated in Brescia, ITPerfect condition Artist sign on the back.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Jean Picart Le Doux, Wall Ceramic Bowl, 12/100, 1950sBy Jean Picart Le DouxLocated in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FRFrench midcentury ceramic bowl by Jean Picart Le Doux, France, 1950s. Ceramic. Measures: Diameter 15" 3/4 (40cm), depth 1"(2.6cm). Limited edition. Incised on the back. "Jean Picart ...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Set of 12 Large Ceramic Plates Zodiac Signs Wall Decoration 1960's ItalyBy Ceramiche Artistiche FaenzaLocated in Paris, FRItalian Ceramics signed Laura Faenza , set of the 12 zodiac signs wall decoration 1960's Each is about 30 cm x 20 cm (each with hooks to fix on wall) Very nice condition (a few chi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Decorative Art
MaterialsCeramic
- Georges Jouve Pair of "Deers" Ceramic Plates, 1950sBy Georges JouveLocated in Paris, FRGeorges Jouve (1910-1964) Pair of Decorative Ceramic plates "Les Cerfs" or "Deers" 1950's One is signed JOUVE on back Oak frames Ceramics Measures : 25 cm x 25 cm. (Framed 41 x...Category
Vintage 1950s Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic