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.
Piero Fornasetti 'Kisses' Table Lamp, Mid-Century Design, 1990s
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
A striking example of Italian Mid-Century inspired surrealism, this rare "Kisses" table lamp was designed by the iconic Piero Fornasetti and produced by Antonangeli Illuminazione in ...
Plastic
1990s Gorgeous "Commedia dell'Arte" table Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonange
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
This exceptional "La Commedia dell'Arte" table lamp represents a prestigious collaboration between the Piero Fornasetti and the avant-garde Milanese lighting house Antonangeli Illumi...
Plastic
1990s Rare "Aquarium" Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous "Aquarium" Floor Lamp by Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli in polypropylene. The lamp features a continuous, brilliantly silk-screened polypropylene shade adorned with ...
Plastic
$900Sale Price / set|25% Off
1993 Fornasetti Portfolio 6 Surrealist Black/Gold Prints France
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The complete portfolio from the series Sole e Lune containing 6 Fine Art Silkscreen by Piero Fornasetti published in France by Graphique de France in 1993. This portfolio was exclusively created for Pier One...
Paper
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, 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
FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian oval enameled metal tray depicting orange puffer fish / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 20.5 inches, depth 13.5...
Metal
Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight with Butterflies, Made in Italy
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Ceramic
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
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - FARFALLE E LOSANGHE handmade rug in Wool
By Fornasetti, cc-tapis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The lightness of these colorful butterflies is made even more striking by their contrast with the rigorous black-and-white geometry of the diamond pattern. Both motifs have long been...
Wool
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Umbrella Stand mod. Micione
By Fornasetti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Piero Fornasetti was an Italian painter, sculptor, decorator, and craftsman who used ornamental and pictorial motifs to decorate silk scarves, furniture, plates, vessels, and similar...
Metal
Astronomici n.1 Decorative Plate by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
This hand-decorated porcelain plate is adorned with exquisite zodiac designs, making this a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies are the result of craftsmanship and attest ...
Porcelain
20th Century, Piero Fornasetti Rare Trumeau mod. Gran Coromandel
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Piero Fornasetti was an Italian painter, sculptor, decorator, and craftsman who used ornamental and pictorial motifs to decorate silk scarves, furniture, plates, vessels, and similar...
Glass, Wood, Harewood
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - NUVOLETTE handmade rug in Wool
By Fornasetti, cc-tapis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In this design, the storm becomes graphic poetry. The clouds, rich in detail and subtle shading, represent one of the Atelier’s most beloved themes. Originally created to accompany a...
Wool
$1,800
FORNASETTI Malachite Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with motif golden guns on green malachite / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the fel...
Wood
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - ROVINE CLASSICHE handmade rug in Wool
By Fornasetti, cc-tapis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The rigor of perspective meets the playful irony of Fornasetti’s trompe-l’œil in a rug of striking theatrical impact. Designed as a dialogue between art and architecture, this piece ...
Wool
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #281
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri on a nude female torso, no.281 / made in Milano Italy circa ...
Porcelain
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- MUSCIARABIA Large handmade rug in Gold Finish
By cc-tapis, Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An intricate labyrinth captivates and seduces the eye: the Musciarabia rug transforms geometric precision into a hypnotic experience. The design traces its roots to Piero Fornasetti’...
Wool
$1,500 / set
FORNASETTI Pair of L'Immaginario Table Lamps
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage "L'Immaginario" table lamp composed of a flat plexiglass sheet photostatic printed with newspaper motif, assembled by folding the sheet into a cylindrical form / designed by ...
Plexiglass
Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A rare and beautiful paperweight with amazing surrealist eyeball decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1950s. Great original conditio...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original mark on t...
Porcelain
$12,600 / set
FORNASETTI Set of 2 "Città Di Carte" Panels
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare original vintage set of 2 "Città di Carta" screen print on wood panels, designed by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti Original label on the back Each panel ha...
Wood
$1,800
FORNASETTI Butterfly Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with butterfly motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the felt base Length: 12 inc...
Wood
FORNASETTI Rare Large Chess and Dominoes Board Game Set Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage board game set box for Dal Negro by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s. The box is made in walnut wood, and it includes chess game, dominoes, checkers game, card ga...
Wood
Fornasetti Set of 2 Silk Cushions Grande Pesce Fish
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The Fornasetti cushions will add to each room an unexpected detail thanks to the most iconic Italian atelier designs. It is a set of two cushion...
Silk
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Strumenti Musical or Libri Screen
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An iconic mid-size screen depicting a library shelf on one side and musical instruments on the verso. A period example, circa 1954. Measures: 53 1/2" high.
Wood
$1,500
FORNASETTI Butterfly Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with butterfly motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the felt base Length: 9.5 in...
Wood
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Butterflies Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative matches box with enamel metal portraying a butterflies on red background, and mahogany wood insert / made by Fornasetti in Milan Italy in the 1960s Length: 8 inche...
Metal
Piero Fornasetti “Moro” Chair
By Fornasetti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Moro” chair by Piero Fornasetti— Milano, Italy c. 1958 / 2002 Screenprint transfer on wood and metal with hand-painted details Signed and dated to reverse 'Fornasetti Milano Made ...
Wood
cc-tapis -Fornasetti Collection- RE SOLE handmade rug in Gold Finish
By cc-tapis, Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The sun holds a place of honor in Fornasetti’s iconic pantheon, and in this version it achieves unprecedented grandeur. The design sheds its usual simplicity to become dazzling and b...
Wool
Set of Eight Fornasetti Lina Cavalieri Porcelain Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional set of eight iconic Fornasetti porcelain decorative plates featuring the celebrated Lina Cavalieri surrealist motifs in striking black and white designs. This curated col...
Porcelain
Fornasetti tray, fantastical hot air balloons c1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful Piero Fornasetti original 1950s tray with fantastical hot air balloon motifs on red background. Hand painted, lithograph
Metal
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing cards box in walnut wood and metal case, it holds two packs of cards / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Length: 5.5 inches / Width: 4 in...
Metal
Fornasetti Neoclassical Trompe l'oeil Teste Antiche Umbrella Stand
By Fornasetti
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Divine Piero Fornasetti umbrella stand crafted from hand silk screened and lacquered metal. Trompe l'oeil Teste Antiche or antique heads in a Greco-Roman theme. Excellent joinery and...
Iron
Fornasetti Silk Cushion Sardine Fishes on Red
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
The Fornasetti cushions will add to each room an unexpected detail thanks to the most iconic Italian atelier designs. Cushion cover material: S...
Silk
$3,362 / set
Set 12 Porcelain Plates Eva Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
This set of twelve hand-decorated porcelain plates, as a whole, forms the figure of Eva. You can use the ensemble for ornamental purposes or...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Frame with Convex Mirror Farfalle Butterflies Color on White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Like all Fornasetti accessories, the mirrors turn an everyday action into an aesthetic experience. Measures: Ø28 cm. This mirror frame is handcrafted using original artisan techni...
Glass, Wood
FORNASETTI City of Cards Playing Cards Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing cards box in walnut wood and "City of Cards" enameled metal case cover, it holds two packs of cards / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s L...
Metal
$175 / item
Tema e Variazioni n.393 Round Ashtray
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
The face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, reinterpreted by Piero Fornasetti, embellishes this hand-decorated porcelain ashtray, part of the iconic Tema e Variazioni series: an everyda...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate Motiv 24
By Rosenthal, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Rosenthal Fornasetti "Temi e Variazioni" porcelain plate motiv 24, with gold rim and black and white printed center depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalie...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare oranges aluminum Tray Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, ca. 1955 Serigraphed metal. Label not present H 4.5 cm x 39 x 51 cm Bibliography: Mariuccia Casadio, Barnaba Fornasett...
Metal
1960s Classical Set of Two Bookends " Porta di Venezia " by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This rare and visually captivating set of two bookends by Piero Fornasetti, dating from the 1960s, showcases the designer’s signature fusion of classical imagery and surrealist charm...
Iron
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Astrolabe Plate, Number 5
By Fornasetti
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
The Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate depicts an astrolabe, it is number five of twelve in series. This is a very rare edition with the special mark on the back side "La Production I...
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Fruits Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting circles of various fruits / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: d...
Metal
FORNASETTI Hot Air Balloon Poker Card Game Set Box
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hot air balloon poker card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of playing cards, eight dices and chips / Designed by PIe...
Wood
$5,500 / set
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
FORNASETTI Shells Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting sea shells / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: diameter 20 inch...
Metal
$2,040 / set
Set of 6 Astronomici Tea Cups
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
This set of hand-decorated porcelain tea cups with gold accents is adorned with exquisite zodiac designs, making this ensemble a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies betwee...
Porcelain
Full Set of 6 Vintage Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Gilded Small Bowls, Italy 1950s.
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A complete set of 6 beautiful bowls / barware appetizer bowls with amazing decor and hand-painted gold details. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early prod...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Glass Paperweight
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage glass sphere paperweight by Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1990s Original label underside Diameter: 3 inches / Height: 1.5 inches 1 ...
Glass
FORNASETTI Fondale Marino Coffee Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original rectangular "Fondale Marino" (seabed) coffee table with transfer-printed wooden top / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: wid...
Wood
1960s Set of Six Fornasetti Tea Cups and Saucers White and Gold Ceramic Signed
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A good vintage Set of six Fornasetti porcelain tea/coffee cups and saucers with geometrical gold decor. Each cup and saucer bearing the signature and logo. Made in Italy ca.1960s ...
Porcelain
cc-tapis - Fornasetti Collection - MANO CON GIOIELLI handmade rug in Wool
By cc-tapis, Fornasetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Since the very beginning of his artistic career, Piero Fornasetti regarded the hand as the ultimate symbol of creative expression—both a tool for making and a subject to be represent...
Wool
Fornasetti Surrealist Themes & Variations Plate, #18, Fornasetti, "Circles"
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #18, Circles, Atelier Fornasetti The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts a depiction of the ...
Porcelain
Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975
By Fornasetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian decorative porcelain plate by Fornasetti, 1975 Commemorative plate in glazed white porcelain. Black lithographic decoration with gold details depicting the Milan Cathedral su...
Porcelain
$800 / item
Astronomici Teapot
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Refined zodiac motifs cover this elegant hand-decorated porcelain teapot with gold accents, turning an everyday object into a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies between s...
Porcelain
Atelier Fornasetti Methacrylate Side Table, Italy Circa 1990
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Atelier Fornasetti side table, an Italian design from the 1990s. It is crafted from methacrylate, a durable, high-quality plastic also known as acrylic. The table is decorated with ...
Acrylic
Piero Fornasetti “Il Minestrone” Plate, Specialità Milanesi, Italy Mid Century
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Iconic vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti as part of the celebrated "Specialità Milanesi" series. This plate features the whimsical and highly detailed black-and-wh...
Ceramic, Porcelain
FORNASETTI Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original rectangular tray depicting sea shells with brown stand / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: length 25 inches, width 20 inche...
Metal
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label unders...
Wood
Fornasetti Porcelain Surrealist Themes & Variation Plate, #260
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Wall Plate No. 260, The Snail Atelier Fornasetti, Milan, circa 2000 The Fornasetti porcelain plate is printed in black on a white ground with ...
Porcelain