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.
Italian Modern Fontana Arte Attributed Mirror
By Pietro Chiesa, Paolo Buffa, Fontana Arte, 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
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
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
Max Ingrand Wall Mirror for Fontana Arte, Amber Crystal, 1955
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte mirror. Rare.
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Rare large size wall mirror with brass frame by Fontana Arte. Brass has nice patina Mirror plate has very minimal signs of age.
Brass
Asymmetrical Fumè Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A striking asymmetrical wall mirror designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1958, a refined expression of post-war Italian design where glass, light, and geometry converge with p...
Brass
Fontana Arte Blue Glass and Brass Wall Mirror, Italy, 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A Fontana Arte blue glass and brass wall mirror; exuding charm and grace in a simple and refined design; with a clear rectangular mirror plate ...
Brass
Fontana Arte Round Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Hanover, MA
Fontana Arte pale green shallow concave dish mirror designed by Pietro Chiesa. 23 inch diameter green bowl, 19 inch diameter mirrored glass with 'eyelid' style bevel along the top...
Glass
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
Fontana Arte Orange Glass Frame Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Fontana Arte mirror by Max Ingrand, Italy, circa 1958. We have the same model with a smokey frame available also. Beautiful mirror with an anomic (non-geometrical or organic) orange...
Brass
Max Ingrand Round Orange Smoke Wall Mirror Fontana Arte Model, 1699
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand round orange-smokey mirror for Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy Mid-century We have a similar model available in light blue as well. Handmade elegant orange-smokey colored...
Glass
Model 2014 mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Model 2014 mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Features a floating glass surround with nickel clip details.
Nickel
Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte circular mirror blue concave glass
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
Max Ingrand Mirror Fontana Arte Round Illuminated Flower, Italy, circa 1964
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare 23" Illuminating mirror with bevelled edges by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, circa 1964 Backlit round petal mirror by the glass artist Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. As every piece by Max Ingrand the delicacy of formal composition and idea of glass and light are stressed radically. The mirror consists of handmade small glass petals radiating around the actual central mirror. The mirror engulfs its surrounding in an intricate play of light and shadow. A beautiful decorative piece in very good original condition by one of the most inventive masters of light/design. Measurements: 23.22" x 3.5" Provenance: derives from a private collection, Milan, Italy. Literature: Domus, December 1956 Luci e trasparenze Fontana Arte 1930...
Glass, Mirror
$2,146Sale 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
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
Pietro Chiesa Etched Glass Mirror by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte etched glass mirror in a stunning aqua color. The scalloped shaped form is segmented with etched glass motif and decorated with crystal rosettes. The inner oval mirror plate is surrounded by a braided brass molded decoration with the outer molding also in brass, supported by a carved wood backing. All original. Designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, circa 1940 Size: 27 1/2" high x 22" wide x 1" deep Pietro Chiesa (born 1892, Milan–died 1948...
Glass, Wood
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
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
1960s Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Grey Glass Mirror
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A stunning and rare example of a smokey grey circular glass mirror designed by Max Ingrand and made by Fontana Arte in 1966. The mirror is surrounded by a conclave glass frame in smo...
Art Glass, Mirror
Midcentury Round Wall Glass Mirror by Luigi Fontana for Fontanit, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Fontana
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
Max Ingrand Round Blue Mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Mid Century Italy
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 30" Version of a mod.1699 mirror by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, Italy. Max Ingrand round blue mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy, circa 196...
Brass
Light Blue Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular wall mirror with a light blue transparent glass frame featuring a faceted inner edge. The piece exemplifies the refined and understated aesthetic characteristic of Max In...
Glass, Mirror
Max Ingrand Asymmetrical Wall Mirror for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A rare asymmetrical wall mirror, designed by Max Ingrand and produced for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1958 With a dusty rose / apricot colored asymmetrical glass frame, the floating c...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, mirror, model 2172A, brass and tinted glass, ca. 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
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
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wooden and Crystal Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Turin, Turin
Some notes about the author Max Ingrand: a famous French master glass worker and decorator, he was artistic director of FontanaArte for one decade, starting from 1954. During that ti...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Rectangular Brass and Glass Mirror Model 2172A
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare rectangular modernist mirror model 2172A composed of exterior brass frame and thick polished beveled colored glass interior frame. This chic model ...
Brass
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
Vintage Fontana Arte Glass Lighted Mirror with Sconces, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Fontana Arte Glass Lighted Mirror with Sconces, Italy Offered for sale is a smoked glass mirror with glass sconces on either side by Fontana Arte of Italy. The mirror is acc...
Chrome
Patinated Brass Mirror, c.1950s attributed to Cristal Art
By Fontana Arte
Located in Watford, GB
A curvaceous mirror by Fontana Arte in patinated brass, c.1950s. Dimensions: H 40 x W 32 x D 3 cm Material: Mirrored Glass and Brass Condition: Very Good
Brass
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 Round Orange Smoke Wall Mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand round orange-smokey mirror for Fontana Arte, Milan Model 1699, Italy Mid-century; labelled at the reverse of the mirror (date of production) We have an identical model 16...
Brass
A 20th Century Glass Shield Mirror by Pietro Chiesa
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in London, GB
Italy, circa 1940 An early twentieth century shield form mirror with etched crosshatching to the segmented glass borders, designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Height 107....
Glass
Fontana Arte Mirror Brass Wood Mirrored Glass 1950 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Mirror Fontana Arte 1950
Brass
20th Century, Fontana Arte Illuminated Wall Mirror 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte was launched in 1932 with a mission to develop products with a more artisanal feel. The Italian design company's offerings range from stained glass to furnishings and li...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Large Rectangular Mirror Model 2273
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte large rectangular long mirror model 2273 in colored, curved and profiled crystal glass framing mirrored glass with polished wood strips or supports on t...
Glass, Mirror
Mod. 1929 Rectangular Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, c.1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
This original, rectangular Mod. 1929 mirror is designed by Max Ingrand and was produced for Fontana Arte, c.1960. This particular piece is distinguished by...
Steel
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 Crystal Mirror Model 2085, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare and exquisite shield or ovoid shaped glass mirror model 2046 consisting of a thick beveled blue green colored glass frame suspending the original mi...
Brass
Round Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fontana Arte pale transparent shallow concave dish mirror designed by Max Ingrand. A round wall mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy. This model '1669' mirror from the 1960...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Oval Green Crystal Mirror Model 2046, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare exquisite oval green crystal mirror model 2046 consisting of a double glass frame of lighter and darker green colored, curved and beveled glass fram...
Metal
Mirror "1669" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in bruxelles, BE
Italian glass mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Model: 1669 Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Brass
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Mirror, circa 1949
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Exceptional quality mirror in thick curved glass with mirror plate Manufactured by Fontana Arte, Milan, Italy. Reverse with manufacturer's paper label Complete with the back pl...
Nickel
Fontana Arte Circular Glass Wall Mirror with Smoked Glass Blades, 1955
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A rare and highly unique circular glass wall mirror executed by Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1955. This exquisite and impressive circular wall mirror with cut smoked glass blades radia...
Metal
Fontana Arte Mirror “2014” Glass Crome Metal, 1960, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte mirror model “2014” glass crome metal, 1960, Italy.
Glass
Flower-Shaped Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa. 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York City, NY
Wall mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa. 1960. This striking, flower-shaped wall mirror designed by Max Ingrand features curved pink petals and beautifully patin...
Mirror
Mid Century Italian Green Tapered Mirror Attributed to Fontana Arte, c. 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Fontana
Located in Westport, CT
A lovely modern scalloped and tapered shield shape mirror in a lovely green glass joined with gold leaf water gilded baguettes Origin: Italy, Dating: 1940ca Condition: Very good,...
Art Glass
$12,088Sale Price / item|20% Off
Vintage Wall Mirror by Fontana Arte, Glass on Wood Frame, 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
One of two mirrors by Fontana Arte 1970s, glass on wood frame.
Mirror
Fontana Arte shaped mirror, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The intriguing elegance of this brass contoured-framed mirror by FontanaArte captures the essence of mid-century Italian design, combining classic forms and high-quality materials. T...
Brass
Copper Framed Trapezoid Mirror by Fontana Arte, Italy, Circa 1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A rare copper framed trapezoid shaped mirror made by Fontana Arte, circa 1940. The frame is widest at the top and tapers toward the base. Of very simple and elegant form. Of grand...
Copper
Fontana Arte Mid-Century Oval Diamond-Beveled Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
An elegant Italian mid-century wall mirror produced by Fontana Arte in the 1950s, with its original label still attached to the back. The mirror features a refined, vertically orien...
Mirror
Vintage Wall Mirror Model 2014 by Max Ingrand, Glass, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wall mirror realized by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in 1960. Model 2014. Very good condition. Ref. Fontana Arte nei migliori negozi, Quaderni Fontana Arte, Milano s.d. s....
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Oval Blue Crystal Mirror Model 2046, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare exquisite oval blue crystal mirror model 2046 consisting of a double glass frame of lighter and darker blue colored, curved and beveled glass framin...
Metal
Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare glass mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Milan circa 1950s. Franco Deboni, Fontana Arte: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand...
Glass, Mirror
Fontana Arte Stamped Midcentury Modernist Shaped Brass Mirror, 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
1950s Fontana Arte modernist shaped brass wall mirror consisting of shaped brass frame with gently arched tops and rounded corners which taper towards the bottom framed with wood bac...
Brass
Pair of Italian Murano Glass, Shield Form Mirrors, Max Ingrand & Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Mirrors attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. These exquisite pieces combine a timeless neoclassical shield b...
Mirror, Murano Glass
$7,467Sale Price|20% Off
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Mirror Mod.2377 Coloured Cut Glass Frame Black Wood
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Catania, IT
Max Ingrand by Fontana Arte mirror mod. 2377, Italy, 1965. Mirrored coloured yellow/orange cut glass frame black wood fitting. Perfect vint...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Fontana Arte Rare Etched Glass Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte rare exquisite circular colored and etched glass framing mirrored glass encased in gilt brass, Italy, 1950s. This extraordinary ...
Brass
Max Ingrand Round Blue Mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Mid Century Italy
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Mod. 1699 mirror by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, Italy. Max Ingrand round blue mirror Fontana Arte Model 1699, Italy, circa 1968. Elegant light blu...
Brass
Important Trapezoidal Form Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Montreal, QC
Important trapezoidal form, plate glass mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The mirror consists of a one inch thick, concave glass backing, supporting a floating mirror plate, mounted on a cream colored, lacquered wood brace. This piece is highly indicative in its quality and design of the craftsmanship and simple elegance for which Ingrand was famous. Bearing original maker’s sticker, which reads: “Fontanit Luigi Fontana Italy Milano.” Fig. 432 of Franco Deboni’s reference book Fontana...
Glass
Illuminated Mirror by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illuminated mirror by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte with etched glass. Made in Italy circa 1940s.
Glass, Mirror