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.
Wall Mirror in the Style of Fornasetti, Italy, Mid-20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A round wall mirror with a brass frame, featuring a large ring that gives it the appearance of an oversized pocket watch. The mirror is suspended by a green velvet ribbon, adding a p...
Brass
$3,150Sale Price|34% Off
H 1 in Dm 19.25 in
'Cammei Marbalia' Round Mirror by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the 'Cammei Marbalia' (Marbled Cameos in Italian) mirror by Piero Fornasetti, signed on the back with the Fornasetti label, is a gorgeous collectors piece ideal for the interior designer looking for the perfect unique splash of fun and intrigue. This mirror features gold Cameos over a white and black marble motif and has been completely restored, the frame has been re-lacquered with a protective French Polish clear coat. Some signs of age and patina still present under the lacquer which adds to the beauty of this simple yet beautiful piece. *Note, we have the matching umbrella stand, see our other listings or contact us for details. The 'Cammei' aka 'Cameo Motif' and 'Marbalia' aka 'Marbled Motif' is documented in the book "Fornasetti, The Complete Universe" and offered in Fornasetti's full range of designs including an umbrella bin...
Mirror, Wood
FORNASETTI Greek Key Round Mirror
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round wall mirror, featuring greek keys motif in a gold tone over a green and black granite like pattern / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label un...
Wood, Mirror
Mid-Century Mirror in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
These mirror, originally from an important Florentine residence, showcase distinctive features of mid-century Italian style, with a design that recalls the elegance and refinement ty...
Mirror, Wood
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, C. 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Brass frame presents with moderate patina consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 13.12"H x 10.5"W x...
Brass
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mirror, produced in Italy, 1950s. Cut mirror glass is framed in brass. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28"H x 17"W x .5"D Wear consistent with age and use. Does not include mo...
Brass
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, c. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.37"H x 16.56"W x 0.56"D Does not include mounting hardware. All items ship from...
Brass
French illuminated mirror by Mathieu Mategot , 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Delft, NL
French illuminated mirror by Mathieu Mategot , 1950s
Metal
$1,554
H 32.68 in W 19.3 in D 0.79 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass Shield Mirror in the Style of Gio Ponti, 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern mirror from the 1960s, crafted in brass and designed in a refined shield-shaped form in the style of Gio Ponti. The mirror is distinguished by its...
Brass
Gio Ponti Style Shield Wall Mirror in Brass, Italy 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Brass shield-shaped mirror made in the style of the famous designer Gio Ponti. The mirror features a characteristic shield shape with organic, curved lines, a distinctive signature ...
Brass
Brass Wall Mirror, Italy, Mid Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 31" brass wall mirror, Italy, mid-century, circa 1955 Large Italian wall mirror with a minimal brass frame. Elegant and large wall mirror with a slender brass frame and patina...
Brass
Brass Wall Mirror Large, Italy, circa 1955
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 53" brass wall mirror, Italy, mid-century Large Italian wall mirror with a minimal brass frame. Elegant and large wall mirror with a slender brass frame and patina to the fr...
Brass
Organic Brass Rim Frame Mirrors (5) Mid-Century, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice set of five identical 36" mirrors with a slender brass rim frame in an organic 'bean' design. Priced per piece. They are in good condition with a slender and elegantly curved d...
Brass
Very Large Italian Scalloped Mirror in the Style of Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful and very large oval 47" mirror with a bronzed églomisé and artistically chipped mirrored frame and a smaller scalloped mirror. It's in good co...
Mirror, Smoked Glass
Artisan Metal Mirror, Midcentury XXL, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
One of a kind artisan mirror made from hammered iron sheets, Italy, circa 1965 Unique 30“ mirror with a beautiful depth due to the layered sheets o...
Iron
Ceramic Wall Mirror, Midcentury, France
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Vienna, AT
Petit mirror from ceramic, France, circa 1950-1960 Dimensions are: 14.2" x 2.4". midcentury french Brutalist ceramic mirror different shades of light pink and an abstract flowe...
Ceramic, Glass
