Fornasetti Decorative Objects
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.
33
7
4
to
3
28
16
44
37
39
29
7
33
11
28
1
1
7
5
Height
to
Width
to
27
17
13
8
2
44
43
1
132
1,321
783
541
487
Creator: Fornasetti
Postmodern Gilded Ceramic Vase with a Face Designed by Fornasetti Milano
By Fornasetti
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Lovely ceramic vase with a face on its front designed and manufactured by Fornasetti Milano. The base and the inside of this piece are gilded which gives the vase a rich texture. Sig...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Fornasetti Vase Burlone Black/White
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Another classic of the Fornasetti catalogue, vases' uncommon shape mixed with the timeless beauty of Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti’s enduring muse, bring to life one of the most d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Rectangular Box with Smoking Motif
By Fornasetti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Fornasetti long, rectangular, box with a charming illustration of three pipes. Hand colored Lithography on metal. Exterior metal box slides over a metal interior box, powder coated...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Tin
Piero Fornasetti Vintage Ceramic Storage Jars, Italy, circa 1960
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
A wonderful collection of three ceramic storage jars designed by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1960. These highly decorative pieces feature hand-coloure...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Umbrella Stand with Music Theme, Milano, circa 1980
By Fornasetti
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Piero Fornasetti painted metal umbrella stand of a musical theme with painted sheet music and musical instruments. Original label on the reverse.
Italy, circa 1980s.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Other Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Set of Six Small Fornasetti Dishes
By Fornasetti
Located in Chicago, IL
6 gold leaf ceramic dishes rare design with original box.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #14
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 through a keyhole, no.14 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960
O...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Decorative Ceramic Cat Bitossi Fiorato, Gold Flowers on Turquoise
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
A coveted collector’s item as early as the 1950s, Fornasetti cats surprise with the sophisticated decorations that colour their surroundings with sheer ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate Motiv 24
By 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti "Soli e Lune" Porcelain Plate
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti small porcelain dish or plate depicting a face on the moon with light rays of a sun, no. 4 from series "Soli e Lune" / made in Milano Italy circa 1970
Origin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Vase Ajna Black/White/Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Another classic of the Fornasetti catalogue, vases' uncommon shape mixed with the timeless beauty of Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti’s enduring muse, bri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #77
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the crying face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.77 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960.
Original ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 114 Profile Themes Variation
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series. This striki...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Wooden and Metal Box Champagne Black/White Hand Painted
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Like all Fornasetti accessories, the boxes turn an everyday action into an aesthetic experience. The Fornasetti boxes are a whimsical place to keep your most precious items.
This ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fornasetti Vase Clown Black/White/Gold
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Another classic of the Fornasetti catalogue, vases' uncommon shape mixed with the timeless beauty of Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti’s enduring muse, bri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Rectangular Porcelain Tray
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate or ashtray depicting the nose and mouth of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri / made in Milano Italy circa 1990s
Original mark on the back / come...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate #1
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is the first decoration of what went on to become the ico...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti ceramic / wood box plus incense hole in lid. Profumi .
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and surrealist style in this traditional design by the well known artist / designer Piero Fornasetti . This box is also for incense and has a hole for burning . Not incense incl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Matchbox
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative matchbox with an interior comprised of a metal sliding tray, the exterior enameled with classical gates of Rome / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fornasetti Playing Cards Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage poker playing cards box in walnut wood that holds two packs of cards / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s
Length: 7 inches ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #81
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the smoking face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.81 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960
Original ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
1950s by Piero Fornasetti Midcentury Italian Design Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Brescia, IT
Serigraphy on metal, wood box
Excellent condition.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Plate 294
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
The face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Piero Fornasetti's muse, embellishes this decorative porcelain wall plate. This is variation number 294 of the iconic series. This hand d...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2012
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2012 and features an angle blowing the calendar pieces. The p...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Architecture Tin
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tin can in black and white architectural motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti for DROPS / made in Italy
Diameter: 3.5 inches / height: 11 inches
1 available in stock in Italy
Order r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Tin
Vintage Fornasetti Oggetti Con Nastro Wastebasket / Trash Can
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful example of this form.
This example was deaccessioned from the Fornasetti Archives.
Original surface is very nice.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fornasetti Alphabet Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular "Alphabet" box with wooden structure and cream enameled top and sides decorated with letters of the alphabet in an ancient baroque style transferred wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mano con Anelli Rectangular Ashtray
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
With this rectangular ashtray made of hand-decorated porcelain, Fornasetti has succeeded in transforming an everyday object into a small work of art capable of seducing you with its ...
Category
2010s Italian Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2013
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2013. The plate was made in a limited edition of 92 out of 70...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornsasetti box, Fornasetti Milan. 1960s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small and rare box signed Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti Milan, 1960s
Classic screen-printed decoration.
Useful as a pocket emptier
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of 6 Decorative Plates "Specialità Torinesi" by P. Fornasetti for Fiat
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare set of six decorated and gilded ceramic plates designed by Piero Fornasetti.
This collection was specially created by the Fornasetti Atelier...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Plate
Fornasetti "Tartaglia" Box from the Estate of Jose Ferrer
By Fornasetti
Located in Westport, CT
Fonasetti Metal enameled box sliding wood compartment
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Astronomici Sugar bowl
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Precious zodiac decorations grace this hand-decorated porcelain sugar bowl with gold accents, transferring Fornasetti's imagery to an object for daily use and thereby transforming it...
Category
2010s Italian Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Umbrella Handler by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Vintage umbrella handler in lacquered metal with a musical theme signed by Fornasetti,
Italy, 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Malachite Fornasetti Plates
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Malachite Fornasetti plates.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Malachite
Set of Six Petite Plates by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six (6) plates in the original box with designs by Fornasetti.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Paperweight
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Porcelain paperweight printed with two figures in a chariot pulled by six horses. Marked Fornasetti Milano Made in Italy on the underside.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Mani Con Farfalle Vase
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Piero Fornasetti collaborated with Studio Ars Labor,Industrie Riunite
(S.A.L.I.R.) on a series of cold -painted enamel vases in 1935.
Originally debuted at the VI Triennial of Veni...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Obelisks Fornasetti Wooden Materials Imitation Lapis
By Fornasetti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Obelisks Fornasetti wooden materials imitation Lapis.
Measures: The great height 80 cm, base cm.12 x 12, small height cm.61, based cm.9 x 9, small scratches as photos.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Large Piero Fornasetti Labeled Wooden Box with Folding Lid
By Fornasetti
Located in Berlin, BE
Particularly large wooden box from Piero Fornasetti with the rare folding lid. The box is labeled on the bottom.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of 12 Custom Commissioned Plates by Piero Fornasetti for Fleming Joffe Ltd
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
A rare collection of 12 custom commissioned plates made by Piero Fornasetti for New York small leather goods company, Fleming Joffe Ltd. in the 196...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Fornasetti Enamel Metal Mahogany Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative matches box with enamel metal portraying a hot air balloon and mahogany wood insert / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1960s
Length: 4.5 inches /...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fornasetti decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Fornasetti decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Fornasetti decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 28 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 6 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Fornasetti were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Licio Zanetti, Carlo Nason, and Barovier. Prices for Fornasetti decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $400 and can go as high as $9,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,434.
Creators Similar to Fornasetti
Questions About Fornasetti Decorative Objects
- What is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Fornasetti is an art design company that produces furniture and home accessories decorated by hand. Piero Fornasetti established the company in Milan, Italy, during the 1950s as his atelier. As of December 2021, his son, Barnaba Fornasetti, heads the company. You'll find a selection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- Who is Piero Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Piero Fornasetti was an Italian artist and designer born in Milan, Italy, in 1913. In 1950, he founded an atelier in the city, creating furniture and home decorations. Fornasetti died on October 9, 1988. His company, Fornasetti, continues to produce hand-decorated decor under the guidance of his son Barnaba Fornasetti. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- What style is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The style of Fornasetti is mid-century modern. The Italian artist and designer crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal library of images rendered in transfer print engravings, including birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and an enigmatic woman's face, to decorate an endless variety of furnishings and housewares that range from chairs, tables and decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti art, furniture and decorative objects.
- Where can I buy Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can buy Fornasetti directly from the brand's online store. In addition, numerous brick-and-mortar retailers around the world carry Fornasetti pieces. You can also shop for the brand's furniture and home décor on multiple online platforms. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How you display Fornasetti plates is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to rest them flat on a low table or shelf, while others position them upright on plate stands. You can also thread string or twine through the two holes found on the back of every piece and display it as wall art. Find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To burn a Fornasetti candle, first trim the wick to remove any soot. Then, light the candle and allow it to burn for up to three hours. Use a snuffer to extinguish the candle, as blowing out the flame can disturb the wax. Find a collection of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Opera singer Natalina ‘Lina’ Cavalieri is the face that inspired Piero Fornasetti throughout his artistic career, from his plates to wallpaper and more. Lina Cavalieri was known as the most beautiful woman in the world during her lifetime from 1874-1944. It was eight years after Cavalieri’s death that Fornasetti came across her image in a magazine and was thereby inspired to replicate it repetitively. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024Piero Fornasetti is famous for his work as a designer. The Italian artist was one of the wittiest and most imaginative talents of the 20th century. Fornasetti 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 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 decorative objects to dinner plates, table lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often Surrealist and always fun. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Piero Fornasetti pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To hang Fornasetti plates, thread a length of string through the two small holes found on the tops of their backs. Tie the string in a secure knot and then hang from a nail, screw or hook. Avoid using plate hanger hardware, as it could crack or damage the plates. You'll find a collection of Fornasetti plates on 1stDibs.
- What style of art is Fornasetti?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The style of art by Fornasetti varied. His use of whimsical motifs has often led his artwork to be associated with Surrealism, while his use of repetitive imagery, like in his many prints featuring opera singer Lina Cavalieri, skewed toward Pop art. As a designer, his works reflected mid-century modern sensibilities with a playful twist. Explore a collection of Piero Fornasetti art and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- Is Fornasetti hand painted?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, each and every Fornasetti design is hand made and hand painted. The colors are expertly applied by painters, ensuring no two items are alike. You’ll find a variety of Fornasetti designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Fornasetti plates are hand-made in Italy. They continue a tradition of excellent craftsmanship that goes back to founder Piero Fornasetti, who established the atelier during the 1950s. Shop antique and modern Fornasetti plates from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether or not Piero Fornasetti images are in the public domain depends on the image. The artist produced more than 11,000 works during his lifetime. Only some no longer carry a copyright and are in the public domain. Shop a range of Fornasetti on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, every Fornasetti porcelain figurine is handmade. In fact, the brand produces all of their home decorative items by hand at their workshop in Milan, Italy. If you see indications that a figurine came from a factory, it is likely not an authentic Fornasetti. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Fornasetti on 1stDibs.