Piero Fornasetti (1913-88) was a Milanese designer, painter, sculptor and interior decorator.

The range of products incorporating his whimsical and often black and white designs include scarves, drink coasters, lamps, umbrella stands, trays, cabinets, chairs, tables, desks, screens and plates and vases.

It has been estimated that by the 1960's there were over 11,000 different items incorporating his designs.

He showed artistic ability as a child, and studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, and later at the Castello Sforzesco school, both in Milan.

After a period of travel to Africa he returned to Milan in 1933, and his designs on silk scarves were seen by noted Italian architect Gio Ponti, who later became his collaborator on various projects including the interior decoration of the Casa Lucano in Milan in 1951, and the ocean liner, Andrea Doria in 1952.

Since his death in 1988, the business more...

31 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Fornasetti, Architettonico Table, ceramic, silkscreen and…

Fornasetti, Architettonico Table, ceramic, silkscreen and laquer, 48.5 x 62 x 62 cm, Note: The Architettonico Table recalls the unmistakable Fornasetti vases, with the face of Lina Cavalieri impressed to the base. On the table top features the famous…

Fornasetti, Wall plate, No. 9 from the series Themes and…

Fornasetti, Wall plate, No. 9 from the series Themes and Variations, hand decorated porcelain with platinum, D. 26 cm

Fornasetti 'Ortensia' vintage Italian two door cabinet, 132 cm…

Fornasetti 'Ortensia' vintage Italian two door cabinet, 132 cm high, 91 cm wide, 33 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Umbrella Stand, Model…

Fornasetti Umbrella Stand

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Umbrella Stand, Model 'Ombrelli', lithographically decorated metal, stamped 'Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy', height 86 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Occhi di Carte Tray,…

Fornasetti's Occhi di Carte Tray: Lina Cavalieri's Eyes

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Occhi di Carte Tray, lithographic transfer-printed aluminium, with the eyes of opera singer Lina Cavalieri illustrated, retains manufacturer's label and numbered in l.l.c No 1/96, height 25 cm width 60 cm. Provenance…

Piero Fornasetti (Italy, 1913-1988), Chair Sole,…

Fornasetti Chair Sole

Piero Fornasetti (Italy, 1913-1988), Chair Sole, hand-silkscreened, painted, and lacquered wood and metal, designed 1955, manufacturer's stamp to lower back, 94 x 41 x 50 cm

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Zodiac three tiered…

Fornasetti Zodiac Etagere

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Zodiac three tiered etagere, manufactured by black and gold lacquered metal, featuring the signs of the Zodiac and star constellation design, retains label 'Fornasetti Milano made in Italy', height 95 cm diameter 60…

Piero Fornasetti side table, gold leaf Fornasetti sun face…

Fornasetti Sun Face Side Table with Gold Leaf Finish

Piero Fornasetti side table, gold leaf Fornasetti sun face motif with pale blue lacquered finish. Black lacquered frame and removable legs. Italy, designed 1962, 47 cm high, 60 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti 'Moro' chair, the chair has a lithographically…

Fornasetti 'Moro' Chair

Piero Fornasetti 'Moro' chair, the chair has a lithographically applied graphic which is hand-finished and covered with a smooth lacquer. Italy, c 1996, 96 cm high, 42 cm wide 51 cm deep

Three Fornasetti inspired ceramic canisters, circa 2000, the…

Fornasetti-inspired Ceramic Canisters Set

Three Fornasetti inspired ceramic canisters, circa 2000, the largest 33 cm high

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988) miniature 'Scaletta'…

Fornasetti Trompe l'Oeil Folding Screen

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988) miniature 'Scaletta' folding screen, designed 2001 wood with trompe l'oeil decorative transfer

Fornasetti 'Trumeau Architettura Cabinet' by Piero Fornasetti,…

Fornasetti Architettura Cabinet, Limited Edition

Fornasetti 'Trumeau Architettura Cabinet' by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1980, 219 cm high, 80 cm wide, 41 cm deep, with Fornasetti plaque inside top drawer. Provenance: Private Collection Melbourne, purchased directly from Piero Fornasetti. The Architettura…

A rare circular three tiered gold and black lacquered etagere…

Fornasetti Zodiac Etagere

A rare circular three tiered gold and black lacquered etagere by Piero Fornasetti, Italian, circa 1960 featuring the signs of the Zodiac and star constellation designs on a tri-form base signed to base 120 cm high, diameter 75 cm

A boxed set of eight Fornasetti Orchestra ceramic coasters,…

Fornasetti Orchestra Ceramic Coasters Set

A boxed set of eight Fornasetti Orchestra ceramic coasters, with stringed instruments over a wood grain background. Upturned edging depth 10 cm

A Fornasetti 'Scaletta' screen, the little Staircase'…

Fornasetti 'Scaletta' Lithograph Screen

A Fornasetti 'Scaletta' screen, the little Staircase' lithograph and transfer printed, on four wood panels. Originally designed by Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) C. 1955. Manufacured 1991. Marked 'Fornasetti, Milano, made in Italy'. No. 1/91. Height 205 cm,…

Fornasetti 'Moon over Jerusalem' lamp for Antonangeli…

Moon over Jerusalem Lamp

Fornasetti 'Moon over Jerusalem' lamp for Antonangeli Illuminazione, plastic and metal, Italy, c 1960s, 33 cm high, 12 cm wide, 19 cm deep

An Orson and Blake plate of a Greek goddess in the Fornasetti…

Fornasetti-Inspired Greek Goddess Plate by Orson and Blake

An Orson and Blake plate of a Greek goddess in the Fornasetti style

A Fornasetti table lamp, 2003. Specially commissioned design…

Fornasetti Lamp with Lina Cavalieri and Maori Motif

A Fornasetti table lamp, 2003. Specially commissioned design featuring the signature motif of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri, with a traditional Maori moko. Labelled 'Fornasetti made in Italy no. 3/2003.' with original box, height 42 cm

Workshop of Piero Fornasetti, Armoire Malachite, wood, gold and…

Malachite Armoire by Fornasetti

Workshop of Piero Fornasetti, Armoire Malachite, wood, gold and malachite, 131 x 90 x 35 cm

A Fornasetti butterfly wall-mounted coat rack

Fornasetti Butterfly Coat Rack

A Fornasetti butterfly wall-mounted coat rack

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Lacquered Tray,…

Fornasetti Hand & Glass Lacquered Tray

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), Lacquered Tray, depicting an extended hand holding a glass, paper label (A/F), length 59 cm. Provenance: The Estate of The Late Alida Haskins widow of Sam Haskins

Fornasetti three panel screen with Fornasetti fabric insert…

Fornasetti Iron and Glass Screen on Casters

Fornasetti three panel screen with Fornasetti fabric insert iron and glass on casters Italy, c. 1950s. 186 cm high, 148 cm wide, 66 cm deep

Fornasetti circular occasional table the glass top with trompe…

Fornasetti Smoking Woman Occasional Table

Fornasetti circular occasional table the glass top with trompe l'oeil portrait of smoking woman on three tapering wooden legs, joined by shaped undertier complete with Patrick Mauries, Fornasetti, Designer of Dreams (London 1991)

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988). Musicali chair, designed…

Fornasetti Musicali Chair

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988). Musicali chair, designed 1950 hand-painted and lithographic transfer-printed wood, original black spike legs, (A/F) repair to legs

A Fornasetti brass and lacquer two-tier drinks trolley, Italian,…

Fornasetti Two-Tier Drinks Trolley

A Fornasetti brass and lacquer two-tier drinks trolley, Italian, circa 1960. 74 cm high, 70 cm wide, 42.5 cm deep

An Italian 'Jerusalem by Night' cabinet, designed by Piero…

Fornasetti's Italian 'Jerusalem by Night' Cabinet

An Italian 'Jerusalem by Night' cabinet, designed by Piero Fornasetti, second half 20th century. 130 cm high, 92 cm wide, 33 cm deep

An Italian hand painted and transfer printed 'Zebra' cabinet,…

Barnaba Fornasetti Zebra Cabinet

An Italian hand painted and transfer printed 'Zebra' cabinet, by Barnaba Fornasetti, second half 20th century. 130 cm high, 92 cm wide, 33 cm deep

A 'Themes and Variations' circular shade floor lamp by Piero…

Fornasetti Circular Shade Floor Lamp

A 'Themes and Variations' circular shade floor lamp by Piero Fornasetti, Italian, second half 20th century. 186 cm high

A 'Themes and Variations' floor lamp by Piero Fornasetti,…

Fornasetti 'Themes and Variations' Floor Lamp

A 'Themes and Variations' floor lamp by Piero Fornasetti, Italian, second half 20th century. 179 cm high Note: Fornasetti lived most of his life in Milan, attending the Brera Art Academy from 1930-32 when he was expelled for insubordination. During World…

An Italian 'Citta di Carte' table lamp by Piero Fornasetti,…

Italian Card City Table Lamp by Fornasetti

An Italian 'Citta di Carte' table lamp by Piero Fornasetti, second half 20th century. 105 cm high including the shade. Reference: Fornasetti - Designer of Dreams, Patrick Mauries, Thames and Hudson, Published 1992, Page 212 for double page colour…

An Aldo Tura bar cabinet on wheels with Fornasetti appliques,…

Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet with Fornasetti Appliques

An Aldo Tura bar cabinet on wheels with Fornasetti appliques, circa 1950 97 x 120 x 55 cm