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.
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Art Deco brass pendant light, Italy, 1940s
By Arredoluce, Stilnovo, Oscar Torlasco, Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Compatible with US/EU standards. LED compatible. Mid-Century and Art Deco style pendant lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. This chandelier is composed of a brass ...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Chrome
Rare Table Lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1955-1956, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A rare table lamp designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte, 1955-1956, Milano, Italy. This table lamp is made of blackened cast aluminium with fabric shade in an eleg...
Aluminum
Pair of wall lights by Pietro Chiesa produced by Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare pair of brass and etched glass wall lights by Pietro Chiesa and produced by Fontana Arte, circa 1940. Each fixture is composed of a curved satin-finished crystal diffuser held ...
Brass
$4,500 / item
1960s Max Ingrand '1963' Wall Light for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Max Ingrand Vintage '1963' Wall Light for FontanaArte Designed in 1963 by the famous French Master glassmaker and decorator Max Ingrand, this increasingly hard-to-find vintage wall ...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Pair of ‘Micro’ Sconces, Model 2240, 1950s, Signed
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and authentic pair of ‘Micro’ sconces, model 2240, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1950s. Each sconce features double profiled glass panels: two thick, polishe...
Brass
Mid-Century wall mirror with gold glass frame Fontana Arte for Veca
By VECA, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Glass with gold-colored side edge Elegant wall mirror made by Fontana Arte for Veca, traceable to Italian production of the mid-20th century. The mirror features a refined, slightl...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte, Model 1944 Thick Glass Sconces 5 Pieces, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Five (5) of Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, chiseled thick glass sconces, Italy, 1960- they are priced individually. Formidable, beautiful set of five (5) deep-beveled oval wall lamps...
Brass
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Green and white curved glass, enameled metal frame. 1 candelabra socket each. FREE US rew...
Metal
Pair of Model "1963" Brass Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An iconic and rare pair of large-scale wall lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, produced around 1963. These sculptural sconces embody the refined material sensibility and moderni...
Brass
Set of 3 Painted Metal Suspensions, Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Set of 3 metal hanging lamps painted in dark green, yellow and red, produced by Fontana arte in the 1970s. The lamps have all been rewired and are in excellent condition. Dimension...
Metal
Monumental Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Rare 7-Light Glass Sconces, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An important and exceptionally rare pair of seven-light wall sconces by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. These striking architectural appliques perfectly embody the poe...
Metal, Brass
A Radical MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by FRANCO RAGGI, by FONTANA ARTE, Italy 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and airy table lamp, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base in cast aluminum with integrated dimmer, 2 axes supporting 2 sheets of glass with white diffusing dec...
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Oval Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
This exceptional mid-century modern oval wall mirror with a stamp is a rare masterpiece produced by the prestigious Italian manufacturer Fontana Arte in the late 1950s. The exquisite...
Mirror, Stained Glass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Fontana Arte, Glass & Chrome
By Fontana Arte
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful geometric all Glass and Chrome Coffee table . Architectural Deign . so stylish . Good condition . Fontana Arte 1970s Italy
Glass
Max ingrand coffee tables - mid-century art fountain 1958's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand coppia tavolini bassi Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s-1960s wooden base and interlocking shaped crystal top. Side tables feature circular glass tops beveled, characterized b...
Crystal
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare original Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1642 Beautiful 28" ceiling fixture from blue-ish polished and satin glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smo...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Chandelier in Satin Crystal and Brass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, chandelier, model '2054', nickel-plated brass, satin crystal glass, Italy, circa 1960 This chandelier (c. 1960) by the esteemed French master glass wor...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic pendant light model no. 2259 designed by famous designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960. It is made of solid brass with a na...
Brass
Fontana Arte Glass Flush Mount Model 1990, Mid Century
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max 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...
Brass, Aluminum
Max Ingrand 1963 sconces chrome Fontana Arte Italy 1963
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A stunning pair of Model 1963 sconces designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy in 1963. These exceptional wall lights encapsulate the refined elegance and te...
Chrome
Model 1829 Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italy c. 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
These vintage wall lamps were designed by the renowned Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Milan, Italy, around the 1960s. The wall lamps feature a sophisticated and luxuriou...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Rare Pair of Large Sconces, Italy 1955
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Designed in 1955 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, this rare pair of large wall sconces exemplifies the poetic elegance and technical mastery that defined postwar Italian lighting. Ea...
Brass, Metal
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Table Lamb for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Table Lamb for Fontana Arte Designed in 1954 by the famous French Master glassmaker and decorator Max Ingrand, this lamp was originally named 1853 and, la...
Metal
Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This pendant light presents itself as a vertically articulated composition, defined by a measured balance between structural rigor and visual fluidity. Its proportions are slender an...
Brass
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Paolo Buffa
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror. Offered mirror is rectangular in shape and has a beautifully detailed frosted etched design around the interior perimeter of this lovel...
Mirror
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti, Glass Top, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern coffee table ( tavolo con route ) from Gae Aulenti, the original for Fontana Arte, with glass top and swivel wheels in good condition. The Italian indust...
Glass, Rubber
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Small Table Lamb for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Small Table Lamb for Fontana Arte Designed in 1954 by the famous French Master glassmaker and decorator Max Ingrand, this lamp was originally named 1853 a...
Metal
Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An iconic design pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished Murano glass with sandblasted ...
Brass
"Lampira" Sconce for Fontana Arte by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte sconce "Lampira" ( Ladybug) Designed by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti and manufactured in Italy in 1970s. Stamped "Fontana Arte" in the back. Shade can be open at diff...
Glass, Acrylic
Fontana Arte, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
Fontana Arte Scintilla Sommatoria sculptural lighting Livio Castiglioni
By Livio Castiglioni, Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sculptural hanging light designed by Livio Castiglioni in 1972. Produced by Fontana Arte. This lighting fixture consists of one base and six hanging units and one weight. Hanging u...
Steel
Fontana Arte, Coffee Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass coffee table, model 2461, designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.5"H x 50....
Glass, Walnut
Gio Ponti 'Bilia' Table Lamp in Satin Nickel and Opaline Glass for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'Bilia' table lamp in satin nickel and opaline glass for Fontana Arte. In 1931, Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa approached the Luigi Fontana Company to manufacture their desi...
Metal
Rare Mid-Century Modern Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Rare and highly sculptural chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, distinguished by its extraordinary composition of large curved glass panels, brass structure ...
Metal, Brass
"Lampira" Sconce by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti for Fontana Arte, Italy
By Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte sconce "Lampira" ( Ladybug) Designed by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti and manufactured in Italy in 1970s. Stamped "Fontana Arte" on the back. Shades can be open at dif...
Glass, Acrylic
"Parola" wall lamp, Gae Aulenti, Piero Castiglioni, Fontana Arte, 1981
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Parola wall lamp, mod. 2689 with adjustable opaline blown glass diffuser and satin-finish brass frame, designed by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte. Year 1981. Avai...
Brass
Max Ingrand Floor Lamp for Fontana Arte Model 2020, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An elegant floor lamp designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 2020, Italy, 1961. Organically shaped double lens cutted with chisel panels of thick Murano polished glass with ...
Brass, Metal
Gae Aulenti Tavolo Con Ruote Low Glass Coffee Table on Casters for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Gae Aulenti, this low coffee table consists of a tempered glass top supported by four black industrial wheels and was produced by Fontana Arte and imported by Luminaire. ...
Steel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Glass Wall Sconces, circa 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance and sophistication of your space with these exquisite Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Glass Wall Sconces, circa 1960. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, t...
Metal, Brass
Table Lamp by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Table Lamp by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s This table lamp, attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1960s, reflects the manufacturer's enduring belief in glass as the primary materia...
Brass
1950s Fontana Arte Glass Plaque by Duilio Barnabè (Dubè) Crystal
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
An exceptionally rare and important mid-century modern architectural wall plaque, masterfully crafted by the Italian modernist painter Duilio Barnabè (better known as “Dubè”) for the...
Glass, Stained Glass, Paint
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte Floor Lamp mod. 1967
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
An eclectic personality, from his early days he was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design. He graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic i...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1748, Italy, 1957. Beautiful 22" ceiling fixture from very thick profiled glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smooth cut...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wall/Ceiling Lamp by Veca & Fontana Arte, Italy
By VECA, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
This stunning pair of mid-century modern flush mounts was manufactured in Italy by Veca during the 1970s. Heavily influenced by the refined aesthetic of Fontana Arte, these ceiling l...
Art Glass
Midcentury Squared Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing squared wall mirror model 2377 mirrored coloured cut glass frame black wood fitting by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy 29 - January - 1965. The original stamp is still visible on the back, as shown in the picture. Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte n°7. Max Ingrand (1908 – 1969) ; Creating forward-thinking and innovative pieces of furniture years before his time, French stained glass designer and decorator Max Ingrand created design classics such as the Fontana table lamp, a bulbous white-painted metal frame with a satin white blown glass shade and globe. The Italian contemporary...
Metal
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, brass and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rewiring upon ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model #1088 Chandelier 1959
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Rare Model 1088 chandelier with 9 dual lense sets of thick studio glass, sand blasted at the center to diffuse light and configured arround a suspended ring of nickel plated brass. D...
Nickel
Archivio Storico Fontana Arte Aluminum Pear Tree Blown Glass Floor Lamp Italy
By Archivio Storico Gallotti, Fontana Arte, Charles Williams
Located in Miami, FL
A pure and elegant modernist floor lamp designed by Archivio Storico for Fontana Arte. The 2198 Model from Fontana Arte is a classic Floor Lamp. The diffuser is in satin white blown ...
Metal, Aluminum
Fontana Arte Italian Midcentury Brass Glass Sconce Wall Light , 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design large sconce wall lamp produced by Fontana Arte (attributed) with curved frosted glass diffuser and structure with polished brass details, Italy circ...
Brass
Fontana Arte Thick Nile Green Chiseled Crystal & Brass Photo Frame, Italy, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare photo frame in thick hand-sculpted Nile green crystal and solid brass. This stunning piece was designed by Pietro Chiesa and produced by Fontana Arte ...
Crystal, Brass
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension, Italy circa 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand ceiling suspension. Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Two large curved acid etched glass shades mounted on a brass frame. Takes 9 candelabra bulbs. Compli...
Brass
$1,902 / item
Fontana Arte 'Bis/Tris' Table Lamp in Brass & Glass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fontana Arte 'Bis/Tris' table lamp in brass & glass. Designed in 1954, the 'Bis / Tris' table lamp is one of the most classic yet contemporary table lamps produced by Fontana Arte....
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte flush mount light model 1940, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount light. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, chromed and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets each. FREE US rewirin...
Metal
Fontana Arte Attribution, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror; design and production attributed to Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s.
Brass
Floor Lamp mod. 1967, Gio Ponti, Prod. Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950's
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
This elegant floor lamp, model 1967, was designed by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte in the 1950's. It features a brass stem with joints, a crystal base, and a lacquered metal reflector. ...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
$4,400 / set
Pair of Table Lamps by Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Dallas, TX
This timeless design was first introduced in 1954, designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. The Tris table lamps are constructed of a solid chromed brass stem, two frosted glass s...
Brass, Chrome
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Glass and Brass Flush Mount, 1950s, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant ceiling light by Fontana Arte from the 1950s showcases the timeless sophistication of Italian mid-century design. Featuring a gently curved frosted glass diffuser, it em...
Brass
Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Model 2393, Crystal & Brass, Circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
FontanaArte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing accessories. It is known for working with curved crystal and producing lighting fixtures, becoming a prominent name in Italian design over the years. Here we have a vertical "Soliflore" vase model 2393 in thick crystal and nickel-plated brass by Fontana Arte designed in 50s. This decorative object is a perfect idea for a gift (wedding, graduation, new born...
Brass
$1,431Sale Price|20% Off
Cristal Art Italiana rosé gold 1959 mirror.
By Cristal Arte, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
The Fontana Arte mirror is a work of art that captures the essence of Italian elegance and design. Composed of three overlapping mirrors, it creates an interplay of depth and reflect...
Glass, Mirror, Stained Glass, Wood
Medium 'Pinecone' Table Lamp in Opaline Glass & Gold Metal for Fontana Arte
By Paola Navone, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Pinecone' table lamp in opaline glass & gold metal for Fontana Arte. Designed by Paola Navone, the diffuser is expertly handcrafted using the ancient caged-blown glass tech...
Metal, Brass