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...

13 items found:

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

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), set of six cocktail…

Fornasetti Cocktail Coasters Set, 1955, Original Box, Provenance Clarke

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), set of six cocktail coasters, c. 1955, lithographically decorated and hand-painted, printed marks to undersides 'Soli E lune, Fornasetti . Milano, made in Italy', original box (6), diameter 8 cm. Provenance: The…

Two Fornasetti Scented candle canisters, the large modern…

Fornasetti Scented Candle Canisters - Monkey & Owl Designs

Two Fornasetti Scented candle canisters, the large modern Fornasetti scented candle ceramic canister, one printed with monkeys drinking champagne design, the other with owls perched on foliate balustrade, stamped 'Fornasetti Profumi' to the underside.…

Piero Fornasetti eight Mitologia &, Chariot plates, painted…

Piero Fornasetti Mythology & Chariot Plates, 1956

Piero Fornasetti eight Mitologia &, Chariot plates, painted gold leaf design on porcelain., Italy, designed 1956, 1.5 cm high, 10 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti five plates, Varying printed images on all…

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Plates, 1990s

Piero Fornasetti five plates, Varying printed images on all porcelain plates. Italy, c 1990s, 10 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti set of six 'Le Oceanidi' plates, six porcelain…

Piero Fornasetti 'Le Oceanidi' Set of 6 Plates

Piero Fornasetti set of six 'Le Oceanidi' plates, six porcelain plates with original Fornasetti designs. All plates stamped to the back. Italy, designed 1950s, 26 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti two ashtrays, printed faces in black and white.…

Fornasetti Ashtrays: Black and White Printed Faces

Piero Fornasetti two ashtrays, printed faces in black and white. Italy, c 1990s, 3 cm high, 13 cm deep

Piero Fornasetti seven 'Le Arpie' plates, seven porcelain…

Piero Fornasetti Le Arpie Porcelain Plates (Set of 7)

Piero Fornasetti seven 'Le Arpie' plates, seven porcelain plates with original Fornasetti designs. All plates stamped to the back. Italy, designed 1950s, 26 cm deep

Two Piero Fornasetti, Italy mug and cup, c.1950-60, printed in…

Fornasetti Italy Mug and Cup Set, c.1950-60

Two Piero Fornasetti, Italy mug and cup, c.1950-60, printed in black with Italian figures against a gilt ground, chip to bottom of small cup, height 6.5-9.5 cm

Six Piero Fornasetti, Italy 'Dinner at Eight' coasters, c.…

Fornasetti Italian Culinary Coasters Set with Original Box

Six Piero Fornasetti, Italy 'Dinner at Eight' coasters, c.1950-60, each printed in black with titled Italian culinary dishes against a gilt ground, in original box, one with chip, diameter 10.5 cm

Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli Sole lamp Lithography on…

Fornasetti's Sole Lamp: Lithography on Polypropylene

Piero Fornasetti for Antonangeli Sole lamp Lithography on polypropylene, Italy, 60 cm high, 20 cm wide, 26 cm deep

Fornasetti 'Adam & Eve' set of twenty four plates, designed in…

Fornasetti Adam & Eve Porcelain Plates Set

Fornasetti 'Adam & Eve' set of twenty four plates, designed in 1954, porcelain black printed Fornasetti hand and paintbrush marks with leaf and title. Green printed German factory marks, various painted numbers with lithographic transfer printed…

Piero Fornasetti, Occhi laminated wood tray. Length 59 cm

Fornasetti's Eye Tray

Piero Fornasetti, Occhi laminated wood tray. Length 59 cm

Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988). Lacquered tray of rectangular…

Fornasetti Flower Tray (A/F)

Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988). Lacquered tray of rectangular shape, decorated with flowers and ribbon, (A/F) scratched