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 Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1930
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Etched Rose Gold Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1930 A rare and beautiful Italian Art Deco grand-scale wall mirror with a rose gold glass frame, with acanthu...
Cut Glass, Wood
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Domed Flush Mount Ceiling Light
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in North Miami, FL
This large 35 inch diameter glass ceiling mounted chandelier # 1508 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte is very RARE and ALL original vintage. Wonderful patina to brass ring diffuser - l...
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 model 1940. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Intricate textured glass, brass and enameled metal frame. Four candelabra sockets. FREE US rew...
Metal, Brass
$13,351 / item
Max Ingrand ceiling lamp model 2448 Fontana Arte 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning ceiling lamp model 2448 designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy 1960. The lamps feature a round chrome structure that holds thirty-two chiseled gla...
Chrome, Nickel
1950 Max Ingrand Fontana Arte MidCentury Italian Design Smoked Crystal Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Bowl Fontana Arte Italy, 1950 Smoked Crystal Bowl Great Manufacture Perfect condiction
Crystal
Rare Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. A gorgeous drop chandelier consisting of molded vertical paneling and intricate interior construction. The exterior g...
Brass
Fontana Arte Mirrored Crystal Italian Design, 1960s Ashtray Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Fontana Arte 1960s Mirrored crystal Perfect condiction Measure: Diameter 16.5 cm, height 2.5 cm.
Crystal
$2,136Sale Price|20% Off
Mirror from Fontana Arte with Square Metal and Mirrored Frame, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. Made in mirror, glass and metal. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and ready to ...
Metal
Ercole Barovier crepuscolo glass lamp pontil decor 1935 Murano mid century RARE
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Amazing large crepuscolo glass table lamp designed by Ercole Barovier around 1935. Round base with attached circular round disks. Base is approximately 12 inches diameter with top n...
Art Glass
Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte circular mirror blue concave glass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte wall mirror. c1960 Blue concave glass with bevelled mirror and brass surround. Mirror plate in very good condition with minimal age. Blue glass frame w...
Glass, Mirror
$1,068Sale Price|20% Off
Vaso scultura in vetro "Cartoccio" d'epoca di Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Vaso vintage unico di Pietro Chiesa questo vaso speciale è stato disegnato da Pietro Chiesa nel 1932 e realizzato da Fontana Arte fino agli anni '70. È un...
Art Glass
Fontana Arte Large Double-Sided Nile Green Photo Frame with Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and rare large double-sided picture frame in Nile green crystal glass with a silvered mirror base. This incredibly elegant piece was produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during...
Crystal, Silver
Pair of Sconces by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte 1980s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Benalmadena, ES
These exclusive Fontana Arte Model 2080 sconces were designed by Max Ingrand and made in Italy in 1955. It is an exclusive reissue from the 80s where they raised the height to an inc...
Chrome
$5,546Sale Price|36% Off
Bathroom Mirror Cabinet by FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte
Located in IT
Rare Vintage Bathroom Furniture Mirrored Cabinet by FontanaArte with Lights. High blue side panels open and allow products to be arranged on small glass shelves. The blue mirror panels at the bottom, on the other hand, flip open and conceal electrical outlets and a toilet paper roll holder...
Glass, Mirror
Fontana Arte Flush Mount Light, Textured Glass & Brass, Italy, 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
1990s Paolo Zani 'Riga' Wall Sconce for Fontana Arte, Curved Metal Shade
By Paolo Zani, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paolo Zani designed the 'Riga' wall sconce for Fontana Arte in 1995, exemplifying the Italian manufacturer's exploration of architectural lighting solutions in the post-Memphis era. ...
Metal
Max Ingrand brass and glass picture frame for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Max Ingrand Picture Frame for Fontana Arte, Model 1371. Italy 1960s
Brass
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Picture Frame
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Picture Frame Offered is an unusual early mid-century Italian glass and brass frame attributed to Fontana Arte. This timeless design, executed...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Orio Coffee Table by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Pierluigi Cerri, Fontana Arte
Located in Renens, CH
Minimalist designed Orio side table by the architect and designer Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, 1970s: The base of this table is made of cast iron with a metal stem and a rare, b...
Metal
Petite Glass and Brass Table Lamp Att. Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant table lamp attributed to Fontana Arte. Typical of Italian lighting productions from the '50s. Features a light green tinted glass base and a brass pole with two sockets. Wire...
Brass
$7,430Sale Price / set|20% Off
Midcentury pair of sconces by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, mod.2199 , published
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare pair of Max Ingrand pair of sconces in etched thick glass, manufactured by Fontana Arte. Model 2199. Beautiful pair of oval wall lamps in etched decor glass with polished edg...
Glass
Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabe) 1955.
By Fontana Arte, Duilio Barnabe
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabé) 1955. Centrotavola in cristallo di grandi dimensioni e spessore dipinto a mano nel...
Crystal
Italian Rectangular Crystal Vase by Pierangelo Gallotti & Luigi Radice, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
A sculptural Italian cut crystal vase designed by Pierangelo Gallotti & Luigi Radice in the 1960s. Produced by Fontana Arte, one of Italy’s most esteemed glass manufacturers, its...
Chrome
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte Cupola Y2K style color space age
By Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fontana Arte pendant lamp called " Cupola." Original design is 1978. This modern style pendant is still producing. But this color was producing only 2000s - 2010s. Now out of produc...
Steel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier, Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Rare, unique, important pendant lamp variant of mod. 1849.. The chandelier features an elegant and refined design, typical of the style of Max Ingrand. The shapes are sinuous and har...
Brass
20th Century Max Ingrand Picture Frame for Fontana Arte Mod 1371 Glass and Brass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Picture frame model n. 1371 designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1960s. The picture frame is in glass and brass, with its own patina of time.
Brass
Max Ingrand “2240” Sconce for Fontana Arte, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Max Ingrand “2240” sconce for Fontana Arte, brass and glass, 1961 Designed by Max Ingrand during his celebrated artistic direction at Fontana Arte, this ...
Brass
$18,866 / item
Max Ingrand 2210 pendant lamp Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exquisite triple pendant lamp, model 2210, was designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy, 1960s. A testament to timeless elegance and exceptional craftsm...
Brass
Rare 1940s Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy.
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
A truly elegant and rare table lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, c.1940. Sitting on a circular, eau de nil Fontana Arte glass base, a fluted nickel and brass stem suppor...
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Italian Fontana Arte Leaf Motif Glass Hanging Lanterns
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian 1940s hanging lanterns with 2 green metal leaf design arms between 2 shaped floral etched glass panels canopy. (FONTANA ARTE; designed attributed: PIETRO CHIESA) (PRI...
Metal
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Coffee Table, 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
After an apprenticeship with the glassmaker Giannotti Pietro Chiesa opened his own glass workshop in 1921. In the early 1920s he participated in the Monza Biennale, the Venice Bienna...
Glass, Wood
Midcentury Ashtray by Fontana Arte Crystal Glass and Leather Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, PA
Indulge in the elegance of this exquisite ashtray, crafted in Italy during the prestigious Fontana Arte's prime in the 1960s. The square-shaped design boasts a transparent crystal gl...
Crystal
Rare Glass 2228 Table Lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1950-60s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare table lamp mod. 2228 design by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The design of this model dates back to the late 50s. The lamp was produced until the 60s. It is made from a cut-colo...
Nickel, Sheet Metal
1950 "FX" Fontana Arte Max Ingrand midcentury Design Crystal bowl Ashtray
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, IT
Curved Crystal Bowl Fontana Arte 1950 Smoked crystal "FX" signed Excellent condiction, two micro chips on the edge
Crystal
Max Ingrand mirror Fontana Arte sculpture Butterfly shape mid-century.
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Fountain art mirror to be positioned in two ways with wings, downward, upward to your liking. The side parts include a unique bevel for objects machined from max magnitude. Talk abou...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
$789Sale Price|20% Off
Pietro Chiesa Crystal ashtray for Fontana Arte, Italy 1940
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Conversano, IT
Exceptional solid crystal ashtray designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in the 1940s. The piece perfectly expresses the maestro’s poetics, capable of blending architectural rigo...
Crystal
$2,612Sale Price|25% Off
Fontana Arte coppia di vetro colorato blu 1960 vintage design (2 speakers).
By Fontana Arte, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Lampade da Parete Fontana Arte 1960. For each wall sconce we have two lights, one diffuser emitting light toward the bottom of the lamp and the other toward the top. They are made of...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
$6,037Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Italian chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Pietro Chiesa Chandelier for Fontana Arte, 1940s – Sculptural Mid-Century Elegance An elegant and rare chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in the 1940s, exemplifyi...
Metal, Brass
Beveled Murano Glass Sofa Table by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1955
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern French, Italian sofa table made of hand blown beveled Murano glass. Attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, possibly a unique commission or prototype, Circa 1955 - 1960, Milan, Italy. The detailed etched coffee table is supported by a gold colored metal frame, standing on four round feet. Wear consistent with age and use. Maurice Max-Ingrand, better known as Max Ingrand was a French artist, designer and decorator born in 1908, in Bressuire, France and passed away in 1969, in Paris. Ingrand studied in Paris at the French University École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. During this time, he was educated by the well-know French glass artists Jaques Grüber...
Metal
Gio Ponti Table Mirror in Brass and Portoro Gold Marble, Fontana Arte Italy 1950
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century double-sided table mirror in brass and stunning Portoro marble. This unique piece is attributed to Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte and was produced in Italy during...
Marble, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Modernist Rectangular Mirror Model 2014
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rectangular mirror model 2014 consisting of thick dark gray/green colored strips of crystal glass surrounding original mirrored glass with nickel-plated ...
Chrome
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, mirror, model 2172A, brass and tinted glass, ca. 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare wall mirror, model 2127A, by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1962. Vertical mirror with an outer brass frame and an inner frame made of beveled blue glass panels, which cr...
Brass
Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Max Ingrand “1774” Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Glass, Brass and Iron, Italy, 1958 Max Ingrand designed this coffee table to study materia...
Brass
Fontana Arte Model 2892 Frosted Glass Table Lamp by Daniela Puppa
By Daniela Puppa, Fontana Arte
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Postmodern Table Lighting This striking Postmodern table lamp — Model 2892 by Daniela Puppa for Fontana Arte — showcases a sculptural combination of frosted glass, soft colo...
Glass
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 0024 Clear Glass Chandelier for Fontana Arte. Originally designed in 1933 by the eternally iconic Gio Ponti, the 0024 pendant light features ...
Metal, Chrome
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte model 1537 wall lights Italy c1950
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in London, GB
Elegant pair of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte wall lights. Model 1537 Nickelled brass and satin glass
Brass, Nickel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Table lamp model 2049, 3pcs available, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning and rare table lamp Model 2049, designed by Max Ingrand for the Italian lighting company Fontana Arte. Max Ingrand was a renowned French mast...
Brass
Rare Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and monumental table lamp created by the famous designer Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. It is one of the most iconic lamps of 1940s Italian design, elegant and p...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Rare Pietro Chiesa Table Lamp for Fontana Arte, 1950s – Restored with Kintsugi
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in BARCELONA, ES
A rare and poetic table lamp designed by Pietro Chiesa (Milan, 1892–1948) for Fontana Arte, Italy, in the 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases the elegance of Italian mid-century ...
Metal, Bronze
Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Mod. 0836 Brass Glass, Italy
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in München, BY
Stunning Pietro Chiesa desk lamp manufactured by Fontana Arte type 0836, Italy. Made from Fontana Arte's signature green glass base, a brass frame and a lever adjustable white opali...
Brass
Midcentury Round Wall Glass Mirror by Luigi Fontana for Fontanit, Italy 1950s
By Luigi Fontana, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing round wall mirror by Luigi Fontana for Fontanit. The mirror is made of a concave, green glass frame with the mirror in the centre. Made in Italy in the 1950s. T...
Metal, Chrome
Midcentury "Diaframma" Sconce by Piero & Monti Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1968
By Fontana Arte, Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti
Located in Merida, Yucatan
"Diaframma" wall light, circa 1968 Chrome-plated metal, opaque glass, lacquered metal. Measures: 12 in. (30.5 cm) deep, 19 in. (48.3 cm) wide when fully opened. Manufactured by Font...
Chrome
$1,250Sale Price|72% Off
Fontana Arte Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi 1980s Crystal Flush Light
By Fontana Arte, Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi
Located in New York, NY
An original 1988 Fontana Arte model # 2792 flush ceiling light composed of a mate gun metal frame and a cobalt blue tiered glass crystal shade with decorative chrome pointed finial. ...
Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Glass Coffee Table Model 1870/1circa 1950
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chicago, IL
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte beveled glass with lacquered metal legs terminating in darkly patinated brass. Model 1970/1 c 1950. The incredible piece of Fontana Arte beveled glass is...
Brass
Fontana Arte Bottle Blu Glass Wood, 1940, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte bottle blu glass wood, 1940, Italy.
Glass
Luigi Fontana Brass Table Mirror, Fontana Arte, 1940
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Fontana
Located in New York, NY
A brass shaped toilette mirror designed by Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte, circa 1940. With a charming shape and decoration to the crest, with brass feet used for table support and ...
Brass
$4,400 / set
Pair of Table Lamps by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
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
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
Pietro Chiesa Fontane Arte Style Glass & Brass Chandelier, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant mid-century pendant was designed and manufactured in Italy in the 1950s. It features a brass central rod that extends into a decorative, curved structure supporting a ...
Brass
Stunning Pair of Fontana Arte Sconces by Nathalie Grenon
By Nathalie Grenon, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Nathalie Grenon for Fontana Arte. A stunning pair of Fontana Arte glass and polished brass sconces, designed by Nathalie Grenon for Bulgari in 1990. So...
Glass