Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Fontana Arte (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Rewired. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Merida, MX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2602130627212
Fontana Arte
Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting fixtures, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti.
The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus — at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere.
The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass.
Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels, bold lighting pieces such as the Parola series and the Giova, a combination flower vase and table lamp. As a key incubator of modern design under Aulenti’s tenure, Fontana Arte remained true to its long-held commitment — creating objects that have never been less than daring.
Find vintage Fontana Arte lighting fixtures such as pendants, table lamps and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Merida, Mexico
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- TwoMid-Century "1940" Modern Flush Mounts by Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1950By StilnovoLocated in Merida, YucatanMid Century Modern square flush mounts, manufactured by Fontana Arte in lacquered metal, brass and pressed glass. Pictured in Fontana Arte catalogues as model "1940" There are 3 ava...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Signed by Stilnovo, circa 1950By StilnovoLocated in Merida, YucatanWall or flush mount lamp in chromed brass, white lacquered metal body and pressed and frosted glass . The light is stamped in the back "Stilnovo ITALY", Italy, circa 1950. The fixtur...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1950By Fontana Arte, Pietro ChiesaLocated in Merida, YucatanLarge Mid-Century Modern six-light chandelier in the style of (attributed) to Pietro Chiesa and Fontana Arte in the shape of an UFO or Flying Saucer, in brass and carved curved glass...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Space Age Flush Mount, Italian 1960’s, Attributed to SciolariBy Sciolari Lighting, StilkronenLocated in Merida, YucatanLarge Space Age flush mount or wall light. Manufactured in Italy during the 1960’s in chromed metal and glass spheres in a shape reminiscent of a flying saucer. This lamp was most...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Flush Mount
MaterialsChrome
- 4 Mid-Century Modern Flush Mounts or Sconces by Valenti, Italy, circa 1960Located in Merida, Yucatan4 Mid-Century Modern Flush Mounts or sconces by Valenti made in Italy circa 1960 and produced in blown glass and brass. Both still retain their papel labels. Each holds two e14 bulbs...Category
Vintage 1960s Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 3 Mid-Century Modern Flush Mounts or Sconces, Murano Glass circa 1970By MazzegaLocated in Merida, YucatanMid-Century Modern flush mounts or sconces made in Murano Italy circa 1970 and produced in white and clear glass in a circular or 'beehive' pattern. Each holds one e27 bulb. Price...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Fontana Arte Flush Mount, circa 1960By Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in Vienna, ATModel 1940 flush mount by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950-1960s. White enameled steel base with chrome details and a textured and curved frosted glass diffuser. Good original cond...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Fontana Arte Style Gold Bronze Mirror Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy, 1970sBy Fontana Arte, Cristal ArteLocated in Vienna, ATA Italian round lamp from the 1970s, to be used as a wall light / sconce or flush mount / ceiling light. Made of bronze tinted mirror glass with golde...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Fontana Arte Flush Mount Model 1990, Mid CenturyBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in Vienna, ATMax Ingrand Large Fontana Arte Flush Mount Model 1990, circa 1960 Rare Max Ingrand semi flush mount lamp for Fontana Arte, 1960. Painted metal, brass, frosted glass, glass. It's i...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Flush Mounts by Fontana ArteBy Fontana ArteLocated in Los Angeles, CAFlush mount ceiling lights by Fontana Arte. Manufactured in Italy, circa 1960's. Enameled metal, textured glass, brass finials. Rewired for U.S. standards. We recommend two E27 60w m...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Design Sun Brass Flush Mount Wall LampLocated in Brescia, ITSun Metal lamp Flush Mount or wall lamp Great manufacture Perfect working order.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Fontana Arte Style Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy, 1960sBy Fontana ArteLocated in Brooklyn, NYFontana Arte attributed flush mount ceiling light. Made in Italy in 1960s. Matte opaline glass, enameled metal. Takes 3 candelabra sockets Complimentary US rewiring upon request. We...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal, Brass
