Fornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate, Tema E Variazioni, Pattern Number 96
About the Item
- Creator:Fornasetti (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1990s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Downingtown, PA
- Reference Number:
Fornasetti
The Italian artist, illustrator and furniture maker Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest and most imaginative design 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 the 19th-century opera singer Lina 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 desks to dinner plates, lamps and umbrella stands. His work is archly clever, often surreal 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 his 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 Fornasetti’s collaborator and patron. Beginning in the early 1950s, they created a striking a 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Downingtown, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Fornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate, Tema E Variazioni, Pattern Number 34By FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAFornasetti Themes & Variations Gold Plate, Tema E Variazioni, Pattern Number 34, Atelier Fornasetti. A variation of Fornasetti's Tema E Variazion...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fornasetti Themes & Variations Porcelain Plate, Number 9, Maori TatoosBy FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAFornasetti Themes & Variations porcelain plate, Pattern Number 9, Atelier Fornasetti, 1990s The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts the face o...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #74By FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAVintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate #74 The Clock, Atelier Fornasetti The Surreal Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts the face...Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fornasetti Surrealist Themes & Variations Plate, #18, Fornasetti, "Circles"Located in Downingtown, PAFornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #18, Circles, Atelier Fornasetti With original box. The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts a de...Category
Early 2000s Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #14By Piero FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAVintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate #14, The Keyhole, Atelier Fornasetti The Surreal Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts a keyhole...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Vintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #286By Piero FornasettiLocated in Downingtown, PAVintage Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate #286, The Binoculars, Atelier Fornasetti The Surreal Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts the f...Category
Late 20th Century Modern Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78By FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original mark on t...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Italian Fornasetti Musical Instrument Themed PlatesBy FornasettiLocated in Saint Louis, MOBeautiful Italian musical instrument plates by Piero Fornasetti, an Italian versatile and eclectic artist, characterized by an unstoppable creative flair that made him one of the most prolific figures of the 20th century, and difficult to ascribe to a specific movement. Titled Strumenti Musicali Piccoli and made in Italy. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed along with and also available within our shop- Charles Hollis Jones Glass and Lucite Dining Table Pair of Mastercraft Brass Bamboo Dining Chairs Imperial Glass Bamboo...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fornasetti hand painted decorative plate, "Tema e Variazioni" 78, made in ItalyBy Fornasetti, Piero FornasettiLocated in Milano, ITHave you ever wondered who's the woman that appears on the iconic Fornasetti plates? You might believe she's just an imaginary muse, dreamed by Piero Fornasetti. Turns out, she's way...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain
- Fornasetti Milano 'Fiori' Pattern Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve, circa 1965By FornasettiLocated in Kinderhook, NYAn incredibly rare set of 12 large porcelain dinner plates in the 'Fiori' pattern designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti - Milano, circa 1965. There are two plates o...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original BoxBy FornasettiLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine designer porcelain plate. By Fornasetti. From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni) Model no. 218. With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish ChargerBy FornasettiLocated in Haddonfield, NJThe Italian artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest, most imaginative design 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, an enigmatic woman’s face. Fornasetti used...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain