The Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative 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 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.
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 Fornasetti's 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 the artist's collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking 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.
Find vintage Piero Fornasetti dinner plates, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti in the "Mitologia" (Myth) Pattern in 22k Gold
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage ceramic coasters by Fornasetti made exclusively for Bonwitt Teller stores. Decorated with gold in white ceramic in the "Mitologia" (Myth) pattern, each depicts a different scene from classical...
Ceramic
Set of Six 24kt Gold Plated Roman Themed Coasters Signed by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of six coasters were designed by the legendary Piero Fornasetti for Saks Fifth Avenue in Milan Italy circa 1960. They feature circular porcelain bodies with raised ...
Gold
Eight Vintage Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters in the "Vini E Liquori" Pattern
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight drinks coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 'Vini E Liquori' pattern, each depicting a different liquor bottle label in 22 karat gold.
Ceramic
SALTA Round Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Natural Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Piero Fornasetti, Oranges Tray, Atelier Fornasetti, ca. 1955
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare oranges aluminum Tray Prod. Fornasetti, Milan, Italy, ca. 1955 Serigraphed metal. Label not present H 4.5 cm x 39 x 51 cm Bibliography: Mariuccia Casadio, Barnaba Fornasett...
Metal
Salta Round Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Natural Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images that led us to design our largest collection. It has pure and contemporary lines, a classic vision but with modern design. The chosen materials are alpaca and onyx...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$395 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
SALTA Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Black Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$790 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Salta Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Green Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$395 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Salta Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Cream Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$395 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Salta Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Green Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$895
H 0.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
Vintage PIero Fornasetti Chariot Coasters, Porcelain &Gold Set of 8 Barware 60's
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage hallmarked Piero Fornasetti coasters are porcelain with gold. They are of the Roman Chariot design. Marked Fornasetti MIlano Made In Ita...
Gold
Piero Fornasetti Set of Coasters of Opera Characters-Melodrama!
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Operatic Gold": Boxed Set of 8 Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Coasters, 1960s A spectacular complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters from the "Melodramma" (Melodrama)...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters, Musicalia Pattern, Set of Six
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Golden Harmony: Fornasetti's 'Musicalia' Gilded Ceramic Coasters 1960s This elegant and highly desirable set of six ceramic coasters was designed by the celebrated Italian artist Pi...
Ceramic
$1,100 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Set of Salta Square Coasters, Alpaca Silver & Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
$790 / set
H 0.4 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Salta Square Coaster, Alpaca Silver & Brown Natural Onyx Stone
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
MCM Ceramic Coasters by Fornasetti, Painted with Hot Air Balloons, "Palloni"
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of eight ceramic coasters by Fornasetti, in the "Pallino" pattern. Each painted with an historic hot air balloon on the front with English translat...
Ceramic
Early Piero Fornasetti Malachite Oval Tray, Italy 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milan, IT
Early and Rare Piero Fornasetti Malachite oval tray, Italy 1950s.
Metal
Italian Midcentury Piero Fornasetti Tray with Key Detail
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Matte black round tray featuring three gold ornamental keys by Piero Fornasetti.
Metal
Piero Fornasetti Horse Racing-Subject Dish
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Horse Racing-subject dish A rare rectangular Piero Fornasetti ceramic dish decorated with horse-related objects- with a crop, a horses...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti "Al Merito" Cup with Lid and Saucer
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Super rare Piero Fornasetti "Al Merito" Cup with Lid and Saucer which means Navy Badges. A great 60's Fornasetti find for a collector of all things Fornas...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
Fornasetti Milano Ice Bucket
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Ferndale, MI
Well loved Fornasetti ice bucket. Some dings in the anodized aluminum interior and lid. Liquor bottle graphics are bright and vivid. Marked Fornasetti Milano...
Aluminum
Piero Fornasetti Black and White Love Porcelain Coasters or Small Plates Set /8
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This delightful and heart felt set of classical Roman vintage Piero Fornasetti porcelain love coasters are white porcelain with black sayings in heart fo...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain and Gilded Coasters "Mitologia" S/8 Barware Vintage
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This classic complete set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti porcelain and gilded coasters are in their original cardboard faux bois painted box with a gilded flower. They are intricate depictions of ancient Roman and Greek mythological scenes. They can also be used for small plates or even framed in a shadow box. The hallmarks on the back are Fornasetti Milano made in Italy exclusively for Bonwit Teller. They are from 1955. This is great barware or a great holiday gift. These must be hand washed with a mild detergent like Ivory Soap...
Gold
Sold
H 0.25 in Dm 4.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Set 6 Fornasetti for Saks Roman Chariot Coasters, 1960s Italy
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a beautiful set of seven ceramic coasters, with Roman chariot designs, by Piero Fornasetti for Saks Fifth Avenue, stamped on the bottom, circa 1960s. In goo...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" Coasters in Original Box
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Piero Fornasetti "Mitologia" coasters in original box, Italy, circa 1950s. Nice to find them in their original box, however tattered. This set original...
Porcelain