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.
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
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
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
Early “Luminator” Floor Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1933
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
Yumi Carbon Fiber Floor Lamp by Shigeru Ban for Fontana Arte
By Shigeru Ban, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolute synthesis destined to become a new universal Classic. Essential design meets a sturdy lightweight structure in a composite of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The 170 dimmable...
Metal
Rare floor lamp by Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte, ca. 1940
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
Floor lamp model "Saturn" Brass base / glass: construction brass, aluminium, satined glass Reflector rotatable in all positions Dimensions / h. 180cm diam. 57cm Fontana Arte around 1...
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
Archivio Storico Fontana Arte Aluminum Pear Tree Blown Glass Floor Lamp Italy
By Fontana Arte, Charles Williams, Archivio Storico Gallotti
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
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
Mozia Floor Lamp by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, Italy 1980s.
By Pierluigi Cerri, Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Mozia Floor Lamp by Pierluigi Cerri for Fontana Arte, Italy 1980s. Wood, metal and glass. Good condition.
Metal
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa Floor Lamp Mod. Luminator Fontana Arte 1st Edition
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Luminator was one of the first projects designed by Pietro Chiesa, who already owned a workshop in Milan specializing in the artistic working of glass, for Fontana Arte, where he bec...
Concrete, Metal, Brass
20th Century, Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Floor Lamp mod. 2020
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Large Table or Floor Lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This large table or floor lamp, model 1853/1, was designed by Max Ingrand in 1954 for Fontana Arte. This fabulous lamp is made of frosted white blown glass. The lamp has a triple sw...
Glass
Large Bobo Piccoli 'Re' Table or Floor Lamp in Blown Glass for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Bobo Piccoli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bobo Piccoli 'RE' table or floor lamp in blown glass for Fontana Arte. Originally designed by Bobo Piccoli in 1968 and executed in satin blown glass with black painted metal ba...
Metal
$2,709Sale Price|20% Off
Gae Aulenti Piero & Castigilioni Fontana Arte Lampada Italiana da Terra Parola
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Lampada italiana, vintage di modernariato, modello Parola disegnata da Gae Aulenti e Piero Castiglioni per Fontana Arte con diffusore in vetro opalinino, stelo e base in cristallo. E...
Crystal
Floor lamp Designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. This monumental floor lamp is of a stunning scale with a wide frosted glass shade. It features a decorative leaf motif on the...
Brass
"Equatore" Large Table Lamp Designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti
By Oscar e Gabriele Buratti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Equatore" is a table lamp, designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti and manufactured by Fontana Arte, made in glass and metal and is part of a collection including table, floor and ceil...
Metal
Fontana Arte Flute Torchiere Floor Lamp Designed by Franco Raggi
By Fontana Arte
Located in Dallas, TX
Flute floor lamp by Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte of Italy. This light features a Chrome plated base and mounting structure and a reflector in chrome...
Chrome
“Flute” Medium Floor Lamp by Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1999
By Fontana Arte, Franco Raggi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
refined expression of equilibrium and lightness, the Flute floor lamp — designed by Franco Raggi and produced by Fontana Arte in 1999 — is an elegant study in indirect illumination ...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Max Ingrand per Fontana Arte Lampada da Terra Mod.2482, Italia 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Naples, IT
Lampada da terra modello 2482, il cui disegno è conservato nell'Archivio Storico Fontana Arte, prodotta da Fontana Arte nel 1954. Base in metallo laccato bianco, paralume in vetro so...
Metal
Fontana Arte Floor Lamp in Glass and Brass from the 60s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vigevano, PV
Floor lamp from the 60s produced by FontanaArte, this very elegant lamp is equipped with 3 light bulbs, the cable has a dimer to adjust the intensity of the light.
Brass
Large Mongolfiera Table Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 'Mongolfiera' table lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in 1966 approximately. Shade is composed of three sections of opaline glass with chrome de...
Chrome
Marco Acerbis Fontana Arte Polaris Floor Lamp, Designed 2007
By Fontana Arte, Marco Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Marco Acerbis for Fontana Arte in 2007, the Polaris floor lamp has a unique design, made possible thanks to an innovative rotational molding process used in the aeronauti...
Steel
Galileo Floor lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Gianni Celada
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Galileo floor lamp (model No. 2556) designed by Gianni Celada in 1970 and produced by Fontana Arte, Milan. This heavy floor lamp (19.5 kg / 43 lb) consists of a chromed metal base a...
Metal
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Chicago, IL
Chiesa for Fontana Arte rare floor lamp design, 1936 Enameled aluminium, curved glass, aluminum, lacquered wood Measure: 15½ W x 11 D x 97 H in Literature: Fontana Arte: Gio...
Aluminum
Fontana Arte "Equatore" High Floor Lamp Designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti
By Oscar e Gabriele Buratti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Equatore" is a floor lamp, designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti and manufactured by FontanaArte, made in glass and metal and is part of a collection including table, floor and ceili...
Metal
"Equatore" Low Floor Lamp by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti for Fontana Arte
By Oscar e Gabriele Buratti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Equatore" is a low floor lamp perfect for reading, designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti and manufactured by Fontana Arte, made in glass and metal and i...
Metal
"3247" White Frosted Blown Glass Floor Lamp Designed by FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"3247" is a floor lamp, coming from the classic table lamp called "3247TA", originally designed by FontanaArte in 1954, manufactured by FontanaArte, featuring a nickel plated metal f...
Metal, Nickel
$2,102Sale Price|10% Off
Fontana Arte Floor Lamp, Glass Lighting , Sculptural
By Fontana Arte, Matteo Nunziati
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte - Modern and Sculptural Italian floor lamp - Rare and Collectible design The present lamp, penned in the 2000s by Italian designer Matteo Nunziati, is inspired by the ...
Metal, Steel
Fontana Arte beautiful floor lamp in nile green glass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vigevano, PV
beautiful glass floor lamp in Nile green color with great visual impact. this lamp is a mid-century Fontana Arte production probably by the well-known designer Max Ingrand. No biblio...
Brass
Max Ingrand Model 2576 Floor Lamp, Nickel-Plated Brass, Italy, 1968
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Uccle, BE
Floor lamp whose nickel-plated brass structure supports 4 large transparent / green colored glass legs fixed by two large cross-shaped spacers. The floor lamp is equipped with a cyl...
Brass, Nickel
Floor lamp mod. 2156 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Argelato, BO
Floor lamp model 2156 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, brass with satin glass diffuser and thick crystal base, 1950s
Brass
Floor lamp model no. 0556 by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1937.
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Floor lamp model no. 0556 designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1937. This elegant floor lamp embodies the refined and timeless aesthetic characteristic of Pietro Chiesa...
Metal
Bobo Piccoli for Fontana Arte pair of elegant glass floor lamp circa 1960
By Fontana Arte, Bobo Piccoli
Located in Milan, IT
The lamp Re (king) Mod. 2490 by Bobo Piccoli has a body built on several levels. The cylindrical continuity of this opaline glass is measured at the base, the fulcrum of the entire s...
Opaline Glass
Piero Castiglioni & Roberto Menghi, Canna lamp, prod. Fountain Art, 1981
By Fontana Arte, Roberto Menghi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Blown and frosted glass lamp, mod. Canna, designed by Piero Castiglioni and Roberto Menghi, produced by Fontana Arte in 1981
Glass
Rare Fontana Arte Flute Magnum Floor Standing Glass and Chrome Lamp
By Fontana Arte
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original RRP £4500 Fontana Arte Magnum uplighter lamps in glass and chrome These lamps are exceptionally stylish, pure han...
Blown Glass
Metis Lighting Fontana Arte Nobi Floor Lamp in Frosted Glass, Designed in 1992
By Metis Lighting, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Metis Lighting in 1992 and manufactured by Fontana Arte, the Nobi floor lamp guarantees total practicality for innovative elegant design. The two bowl-shaped glass discs ...
Metal
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Pietro Chiesa For Fontana Arte Brass & Murano Glass Torchiere
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Brass & Murano glass Torchiere Italy, 20th century A rare model, of seamless organic tiered design, fitted wit...
Brass
Pietro Chiesa 'Luminator' Floor Lamp in White for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pietro Chiesa 'Luminator' floor lamp in white for Fontana Arte. Originally designed in 1933 and produced by Fontana Arte, this iconic design retains such a modern personality that ...
Metal
Pietro Chiesa 'Luminator' Floor Lamp in Satin Nickel for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pietro Chiesa 'Luminator' floor lamp in satin nickel for Fontana Arte. Originally designed in 1933 and produced by Fontana Arte, this iconic design retains such a modern personalit...
Metal, Nickel
Rare Mongolfiera Lamp by Fontana Arte
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare "Mongolfiera model 2491" oversized lamp designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, made in Italy circa 1968, composed of opaline blown glasses on chrome-plated metal frame. It ...
Chrome
Lampada modello '2003' di Max Ingrand per FontanaArte anni 70
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Lampada da terra modello '2003' disegnata da Max Ingrand e prodotta da Fontana Arte a partire dal 1962. Presenta una base in cristallo profilato ottone, uno stelo in ottone e un diff...
Crystal, Brass
'Adubai' floor lamp, by Fontana Arte design by Matteo Nunziati
By Fontana Arte, Matteo Nunziati
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The "ADUBAI" floor lamp, produced by Fontana Arte, designed by Matteo Nunzianti around the year 2009. The lamp has an opal white tempered glass structure made up of eight plates. The...
Steel
Large Italian Opaline Glass Table or Floor Lamp by Fontana Arte, 2010s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Praha, CZ
This striking "mushroom" form lamp by the prestigious Italian manufacturer Fontana Arte is a testament to timeless minimalist design. Produced in the 2010s, the lamp is composed of a...
Glass
Franco Raggi Fontana Arte Flute Floor Lamp, Chromed Aluminium, Designed in 1999
By Franco Raggi, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Franco Raggi and manufactured by Fontana Arte, the flute floor lamp designed in 1999 is made from a glass cone that holds the chromed alu...
Aluminum
Vertigo Floor Lamp by Marco Acerbis for Fontana Arte
By Marco Acerbis, Fontana Arte
Located in Astoria, NY
Marco Acerbis for Fontana Arte "Vertigo" Floor Lamp, mirrored and polished steel on circular base. 76.5" H x 12.5" Diameter. Provenance: From a SoHo, New York Collection.
Steel
Edy floor lamp by Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte, 1980s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Edy floor lamp designed by Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte in 1982. Besides a floor lamp, the Edy series of low-voltage lamps consisted of a hanging lamp, a wall lamp and a table...
Metal
Vertigo Mirrored Floor Lamp by Marco Acerbis for Fontana Arte
By Marco Acerbis, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This indirect light floor lamp with its distinctive sharp corners and edges is the result of folding a Fine sheet of aluminum. The structure is mounted on a steel base and can be rotated 320°. Indirect beam floor lamp...
Aluminum
Large Bobo Piccoli 'Regina' Table Lamp in Blown Glass for Fontana Arte
By Bobo Piccoli, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bobo Piccoli 'Regina' table lamp in blown glass for Fontana Arte. Originally designed by Bobo Piccoli in 1968 and executed in satin blown glass with black painted metal frame...
Metal
Fontana Arte 3247 Floor Lamp, Nickel-Plated Metal, Glass Diffuser
By Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
"3247" is a Floor lamp, derived from the classic table lamp called "3247TA", originally designed by FontanaArte in 1954, produced by Fontana Arte, characterised by a nickel-plated me...
Metal
Gae Aulenti & P. Castiglioni for Fontana Arte "Parolona" Floor Lamp, Italy 1980s
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Naples, IT
Designed in 1980 by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte. Three different types and processes of glass coexist in the Parolona floor lamp: blown opaline in the adjustab...
Glass
Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa Floor Lamp Brass Glass lampshade 1950 Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Table Lamp Fontana Arte
Glass
"3247" Medium White Frosted Blown Glass Floor Lamp Designed by FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"3247" is a floor lamp, coming from the classic table lamp called "3247TA", originally designed by FontanaArte in 1954, manufactured by FontanaArte, featuring a nickel plated metal f...
Metal, Nickel
Fontana Arte Floor Lamp 1960 Crome Brass Glass Fabric Lampshade, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Fontana Arte floor lamp 1960 crome brass glass fabric lampshade, Italy.
Glass
Demi-Volee Floor Lamp by Odo Fioravanti for Fontana Arte
By Odo Fioravanti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Volee is a Led Luminaire of the latest generation, in which the formal research is combined with technological innovation. Featured by an essential design, Volée switches on with a...
Aluminum
"Flute Magnum" Glass and Aluminum Floor Lamp by Franco Raggi for FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte, Franco Raggi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Flute Magnum" is a floor lamp, designed by Franco Raggi and manufactured by Fontana Arte, featuring a transparent borosilicate glass stem, a reflector in polished chromed aluminum, ...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Charles Williams Fontana Arte Amax Outdoor Floor Lamp, 2008
By Fontana Arte, Charles Williams
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Charles Williams for Fontana Arte in 2008, the Amax is a big outdoor lamp with a translucent white polyethylene diffuser. The lamp is made with an iron base and aluminium...
Aluminum, Iron
Set of 2 floor lamps "ADUBAI", produced by Fontana Arte designed by Matteo Nunzi
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 2 floor lamps "ADUBAI", produced by Fontana Arte designed by Matteo Nunzi The lamps have an opal white tempered glass structure composed of eight panels of varying heights. T...
Steel
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rare Floor Lamp Model 1692 in Brass and Glass
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare and elegant floor lamp model 1692 composed of brass stem tapering towards the top and bottom with decorative brass element on top holding tinted fro...
Brass
Italian modern Murano glass Chiara floor lamp, Cini Boeri for Fontana Arte 1980s
By Cini Boeri, Fontana Arte
Located in MIlano, IT
Chiara floor lamp, modern Italian, by Cini Boeri for Fontana Arte, 1980s. Chiara model floor lamp with round metal base, grooved blue Murano glass stem and opaline Murano glass lamps...
Metal