'Cammei Marbalia' Umbrella Stand by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s Italy, Signed
About the Item
- Creator:Piero Fornasetti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)Diameter: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Metal,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970s
- Condition:Very good vintage condition. Still has some age and patina but for its age it is in excellent vintage / antique condition. Excellent collectors example.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330228510362
Piero Fornasetti
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 'Butterflies' Umbrella Stand by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1960s Italy, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis rare and coveted collectors item is the 'Farfalle' (translated to 'Butterflies') umbrella stand by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1960s, signed underneath. This hefty round umbrella bin...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Umbrella Stands
MaterialsMetal
- 'Cammei Marbalia' Round Mirror by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is the 'Cammei Marbalia' (Marbled Cameos in Italian) mirror by Piero Fornasetti, signed on the back with the Fornasetti label, is a gorgeous collectors piece ideal for the interior designer looking for the perfect unique splash of fun and intrigue. This mirror features gold Cameos over a white and black marble motif and has been completely restored, the frame has been re-lacquered with a protective French Polish clear coat. Some signs of age and patina still present under the lacquer which adds to the beauty of this simple yet beautiful piece. *Note, we have the matching umbrella stand, see our other listings or contact us for details. The 'Cammei' aka 'Cameo Motif' and 'Marbalia' aka 'Marbled Motif' is documented in the book "Fornasetti, The Complete Universe" and offered in Fornasetti's full range of designs including an umbrella bin...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- 'Cesto di Dalie' Umbrella Stand by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s Italy, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis rare and highly sought-after collectors item is the 'Cesto di Dalie' umbrella stand by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1950s, signed underneath with a Fornasetti medallion label. This h...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Umbrella Stands
MaterialsMetal
- 'Butterflies' Dining Table by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s Italy, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis pièce de résistance collectors item is the 'Farfalle' (translated to 'Butterflies') dining table by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s, signed underneath with its original studio label. Table height is a perfect 29.25" for dining but also ideal as a cafe, gaming or center table. Such incredible artistry, this round Fornasetti dining table is made with lithographic transfer and lacquered wood that has a white background with colorful butterfly motif and is affixed via screws to a white tulip styled base. One of my favorite aspects of this table is how some of the butterflies cascade down into the edge of the table giving a 3-dimensional effect. The top has been masterfully re-lacquered in a French Polish and looks so incredible - it looks like a sheet of water is floating above the butterflies because it is so clear, vibrant, glossy and smooth while protecting the artwork underneath for decades to come. The 'Farfalle' aka 'Butterflies' motif is documented in the book "Fornasetti, The Complete Universe". This rare piece is sought after by interior designers and collectors alike. Perfect piece to add a little splash of whimsy and intrigue into your interior decor. Contact us for more details on our collection of Fornasetti lamps, tables, bar carts, mirrors, umbrella stands and more. Photographed with the table are Robert Venturi post-modern 'Queen Anne' chairs for Knoll International and Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Mah Jong's in Missoni fabrics along with a Missoni Home rug...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
- 'Cammei' Silver Cameos Motif Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis gorgeous collectors item is a 'Cammei' (Cameos in Italian) side table by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with its original label. This side table is made with lacquered wood...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 'Greca' Greek Key Round Mirror by Piero Fornasetti, Signed, circa 1970sBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is the 'Greca' (Greek in Italian) mirror by Piero Fornasetti, signed on the back with the Fornasetti label, is a gorgeous collectors piece ideal f...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- 1970s Umbrella StandLocated in Cathedral City, CAPottery with red and black painted glaze finish umbrella stand.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Umbrella Stands
MaterialsPlaster, Pottery, Paint
- Tommaso Barbi for B Ceramiche Vase Umbrella Stand, Italy, 1970sBy B Ceramiche, Tommaso BarbiLocated in Rome, ITHuge vase or umbrella stand by Tommaso Barbi for B Ceramiche (signed on the bottom). Conditions are very good, expect for a scratch visible in the photos.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Piero Fornasetti Umbrella Stand " Birds " Metal Brass 1950 ItalyBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Milano, ITVery Rare Umbrella Stand Piero Fornasetti 1950sCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Other Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsBrass
- 1970s Italy Artistic Umbrella Stand by Tommaso Barbi for Bottega Gadda - Milan -By Bottega Gadda, Tommaso BarbiLocated in Vigonza, PaduaThis collector's item is an umbrella stand in marbled copper, with accessories in gilded brass and hand painted with a floral motif, by Tommaso Barbi for...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Umbrella Stands
MaterialsCopper
- Italian Midcentury / Post Modern Umbrella Stand, circa 1980By Alessandro Mendini, Gruppo AlchimiaLocated in New York, NYItalian Mid-Century Modern umbrella stand in the style of Alessandro Mendini and Studio Alchimia, circa 1976-1980. The base is composed of carved travertine stone and the 3 containers are in chromed metal. The piece can also serve as a vase or urn. A coat stand also attributed to Studio Alchimia and Mendini I is shown in the last image. References: Italian Radical Design, Alessandro Mendini, Superstudio, Postmodern, Memphis, Ettore Sottsass, Gaetano Pesce, Studio 65, Studio Most. Michelle De...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsTravertine, Chrome
- Rare Umbrella Stand “Bighe” designed by Piero Fornasetti, Italy circa 1960By Piero FornasettiLocated in Stockholm, SEPiero Fornasetti umbrella stand “Bighe”. Lithographically printed metal and brass. Italy, circa 1960. Marked: FORNASETTI MILANO, MADE IN ITALY. Gold label: MADE EXPRESSLY FOR OHLSSO...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsBrass