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 Pietro Chiesa, Oscar Torlasco, Fontana Arte, Arredoluce, Stilnovo
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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Pair of ‘Micro’ Sconces, Model 2240, 1950s, Signed
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
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
Pair of wall lights by Pietro Chiesa produced by Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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
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
Fontana Arte by Max Ingrand sconces model 2434, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
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
Model 1829 Wall Lights by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italy c. 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
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
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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 Ceiling Light, Vintage Italian Flush Mount in glass and chrome
By Fontana Arte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount ceiling light. Made in Italy in 1960s. Two kinds of glass. Takes 3 halogen G9 bulbs. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. FREE US rewiring upon request. F...
Metal, Chrome
Fontana Arte Glass Flush Mount Model 1990, Mid Century
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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 for Fontana Arte, Rare Pair of Large Sconces, Italy 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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 Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1748 Glass Brass, 1957
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror
By Paolo Buffa, Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand
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
"Lampira" Sconce by Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti for Fontana Arte, 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" on the back. Shades can be open at dif...
Glass, Acrylic
1 of 2 Dahlia Murano chandeliers by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Angelo Vittorio Mazzega, Zero Quattro, Max Ingrand, BD Lumica
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Two units available. "Dahlia" pendant light in the style of Max Ingrand's designs for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s. This sculptural pendant light is composed of a gold and silver chro...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
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
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 wit...
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
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage disk chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte made in Italy in the 1940s. Three exquisitely sculpted and sandblasted glass discs interact with light in contrasting manner...
Brass
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
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Small Table Lamb for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Max Ingrand Table Lamp Brass Glass Mod. 2278, Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
An old version of the mod. 2278 for Fontana Arte, with green interior shade and flat glass diffuser. The brass has had a beautiful patina over the years. A heavy and elegant table la...
Brass
Max Ingrand Mod. 1636 Fontana Arte Glass Brass Sconces Pair, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of large Max Ingrand Fontana Arte sconces model #1636, Italy, 1960. Formidable pair of 15.7" large wall lights in brass and aci...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Glass Flush Mounts (2 available), Italy 1955
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare pair of 36.6" semi glass flush-mounts with deep incisions, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Milano circa 1955- We have a pair available, please inquire. Early vintage origina...
Brass
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 Pendant Light for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roma, IT
Striking pendant light model 1933 in the marvelous aquamarine glass version, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1960s. Fully original and in am...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
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 for Fontana Arte: 1950s Mid-Century Colored Glass Wall Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
A renowned piece of historic design, this is a rare rectangular wall mirror designed by the famous French designer Max Ingrand for the Italian company Fontana Arte and produced aroun...
Brass
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Wall Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gianni Celada
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Wall Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s, Italy Lamp is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with E14 light bulb. Wired and suitable to use with 220V and 11...
Brass, Chrome
Max Ingrand 'Fontana 1853' Table Lamb for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
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
Mid-century 'Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Duilio Barnabè' coffee table.
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Palermo, IT
Small table designed in 1958 by the great master of Crystal ''Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and painted by Duilio Bernabè known as Dubè.'' Duilio Barnabè, known artistically as Dubé, ...
Crystal
Max Ingrand Chandelier for Fontana Arte, Brass & Glass, Italian Design
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Fontana Arte 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 acc...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Blue Glass Tray, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
A refined and highly architectural Italian glass vide-poche or serving tray designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1960s. Executed in deeply saturated cobalt blue curved cry...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Wall/Ceiling Lamp by Veca & Fontana Arte, Italy
By Fontana Arte, VECA
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
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 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
Italian modern table lamp Drama by Sergio Asti for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Sergio Asti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern table lamp Drama by Sergio Asti for Fontana Arte, 1970s Table lamp model Daruma with a round base. The rounded structure of the diffuser is composed of two hemispheric...
Opaline Glass
Fontana Arte "Nobi" LED Floor Lamp in Chrome or Nickel Designed, Metis Lighting
By Metis Lighting, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Nobi" is a floor lamp, designed by Metis Lighting and manufactured by Fontana Arte, featuring a frame in chromed or satin nickel metal, adjustable diffusers in frosted glass and alu...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome, Nickel
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
Early “Luminator” Floor Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1933
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Dronten, NL
An early and highly collectible example of the iconic Luminator floor lamp, designed in 1933 by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Conceived at the height of Italian Rationalism, the Lu...
Steel, Nickel
$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
Tavolo Con Ruote Low Table with Glass Top by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An Industrial trolley used at the Fontana Arte plant to transport glass: This was the object that inspired Gae Aulenti to design her Tavolo con Ruote. Thi...
Glass
Max Ingrand Wall Mirror for Fontana Arte, Amber Crystal, 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
A Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare wall mirror, circa 1955 With an elegant curved shape, amber colored crystal and rectangular mirror plate with brass mounts. With its original labe...
Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Glass and Brass Flush Mount, 1950s, Italy
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
A Pair of Poetic Precision: The Model 2240 Sconces, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and authentic pair of 'Micro' sconces, model 2240, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1950s. Few designers understood the poetic interplay of glass and illuminati...
Crystal, Brass
$4,500 / item
1960s Max Ingrand '1963' Wall Light for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
$16,500 / item
Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Smoked brown tinted panels paired with an etched bottom diffuser. This fixture...
Crystal, Brass
Medium 'Pinecone' Table Lamp in Opaline Glass & Gold Metal for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Paola Navone
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
Italian Grinded & Cut Glass 1960s Bowl/Centerpiece by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Glass bowl/centerpiece made of cut and grinded glass by Fontana Arte. Very good condition.
Cut Glass