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.
FORNASETTI Fruits Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting circles of various fruits / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: d...
Metal
FORNASETTI Shells Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting sea shells / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: diameter 20 inch...
Metal
FORNASETTI Gold Keys on Malachite Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting gold keys on malachite / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measu...
Wood
FORNASETTI Golden Kings Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting golden kings on black background / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Meas...
Metal
FORNASETTI Rectangular Shells Tray with Stand
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original rectangular tray depicting sea shells with brown stand / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: length 25 inches, width 20 inche...
Metal
FORNASETTI Two Tier Tray Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table with two removable trays in lacquered wood and faux bamboo patinated brass base / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti labels on the base of tra...
Brass
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round cocktail side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label unders...
Wood
FORNASETTI Playing Cards Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting a set of imperial playing cards, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Forna...
Wood
Side Table, Piero Fornasetti, circa 1950
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Berlin, DE
This unusual, filigree side table was created by the Italian designer Piero Fornasetti. He focused in particular on the surface design of his works with his unusual hand drawings. He...
Brass
Fornasetti House of Cards Città di Carte Side Table, Numbered 4/6, 1990
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti House of Cards Città di Carte Side Table, Numbered 4/6, 1990 The circular top of this table is decorated with the design Fornasetti called Città di Carte, the City of Car...
Wood
H 14.57 in W 16.15 in D 13.39 in
Spanish Pine Side Table
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish Pine side table.
Pine
H 0.4 in W 22.84 in D 18.31 in
Fornasetti tray, fantastical hot air balloons c1950
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful Piero Fornasetti original 1950s tray with fantastical hot air balloon motifs on red background. Hand painted, lithograph
Metal
H 21.66 in Dm 19.69 in
Pins Medium Side Table
By Marioni
Located in Milan, IT
Colorful and sophisticated, this side table will make an elegant statement in a contemporary living room, where it can be displayed alone or combined with others in the same Pins col...
Brass
H 20.08 in W 20.08 in D 19.3 in
Atelier Fornasetti Methacrylate Side Table, Italy Circa 1990
By Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Atelier Fornasetti side table, an Italian design from the 1990s. It is crafted from methacrylate, a durable, high-quality plastic also known as acrylic. The table is decorated with ...
Acrylic
H 27 in Dm 23.75 in
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ Tripod Side Table, 1960s
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
Piero Fornasetti ‘Seeds of Playing Cards’ side table or occasional table composed of lithographic printed, lacquered and hand-painted on wood tabletop with image of card suits, heart...
Metal
H 17.72 in Dm 15.75 in
Fornasetti Tray Holder Tray Black Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 40 cm diameter metal round tray.
Wood
H 29.93 in W 10.24 in D 10.24 in
Shedir Side Table
By Splot Design
Located in Milan, IT
An exercise in graceful minimalism, this side table takes its name from the "alpha star" in the Cassiopeia constellation. Its iron structure finished in antiqued bronze is comprised ...
Iron
H 28.35 in W 36.23 in D 21.26 in
Antique Danish Rococo Tray Table, C. 1770
Located in Kastrup, DK
A lovely Danish antique rococo tray table. The table is finished with a (professional conservator restored) dusty blue base and a soft grey painted faux marble top. Base with fol...
Oak
H 23.63 in Dm 17.72 in
Shell Inlaid Side Table with Sculptural Bronze Patina Brass Legs by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
H 23.5 in W 16.5 in D 22.75 in
Mahogany Butlers Tray Table, late 19th C., England
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Late 19th century butlers tray on stand. Scalloped detail incorporating open handles for serving. Beautiful mahogany with great patina.
Mahogany
H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 23.63 in
Midcentury Colonial Tray Table Brass Bamboo Style Maison Jansen, France 1960s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Midcentury Tray Table Brass Bamboo Style Maison Jansen, France, 1960s. colonial style removable tray. base can be folded.
Brass
H 25.6 in Dm 25.6 in
Pins Large Side Table
By Marioni
Located in Milan, IT
The brass structure of this side table supports a round crystal top finished in black, while the base is covered with red-colored ceramic with an enamel finish, for a contrasting eff...
Crystal, Brass
H 34.26 in W 27.17 in D 12.21 in
Bentwood Plant Stand by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood plant stand by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
H 25.5 in Dm 20.5 in
Midcentury Couture Antique Teak Wood Tray Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury Couture Collection, furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. We added mid century style rounded teak legs to this beautiful antique wood tray...
Wood, Teak
H 23.63 in W 21.07 in D 15.75 in
Shell Inlaid Side Table with Sculptural Bronze Patina Brass Base by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
H 20.28 in Dm 13.98 in
FORNASETTI Pomelos Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original round side table with transfer-printed wooden top depicting citrus grapefruit Pomelos / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s Original label underside Measures: d...
Metal
H 20.25 in Dm 19.5 in
'Butterflies' Drinks Table / Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional and highly collectible ‘Farfalle’ (Italian for “butterflies”) occasional table by Piero Fornasetti is a striking example of the designer’s poetic and surreal approac...
Brass
H 20.86 in Dm 13.97 in
Piero Fornasetti 1970s Side Table, Black Lacquered Wood, Sun King
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Table by Piero Fornasetti Depicting "Sun King" 'Louis XIV', Made in Italy This striking side table by the iconic Italian designer Piero Fornasetti dates to the 1970s and featur...
Metal
H 20.87 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
FORNASETTI Butterfly Square Side Table
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage original square table with transfer-printed wooden top in the design of butterflies, it can be used as a side table or center table / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, 1970s...
Wood
H 21 in Dm 14.25 in
"Uccelli Nella Gabbia" Brass Tripod Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous collectors item is a 'Uccelli Nella Gabbia' (Caged Birds in Italian) side table by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with its original label. This side table is made ...
Brass
'Strumenti Musicali' Drinks / Side Tables by Piero Fornasetti, c 1970s, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These gorgeous collectors items are the 'Strumenti Musicali' (Musical Instruments in Italian) side tables by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with original labels. Priced individu...
Brass
H 15 in Dm 10 in
Occasional Table by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare original side table by Piero Fornasetti with Roman coin motif. Made in Milan, Italy circa 1960s.
Steel, Brass
H 21.66 in Dm 14.57 in
Piero Fornasetti "Strumenti Musicali" Brass Tripod Side Table, Italy 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Naples, IT
Brass tripod coffee table, under its original Fornasetti Milano Italia 1960 label. The coffee table is made of black and gold lacquered wood with a musical motif. This intriguing cof...
Brass
Pair Italian Midcentury Lacquer & Screenprint Side Tables by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Pair of Italian midcentury Side or End Tables by Piero Fornasetti. The pieces are beautiful compositions of form and design in the Modern Neoclassical aesthetic....
Brass, Iron
H 22.45 in W 23.04 in D 18.51 in
Midcentury Folding Tray Table "City of Cards", Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Midcentury folding coffee table. Fantasia “Città delle Carte” (City of Cards). The rarest and most fascinating Fornasetti’s pattern. Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1950s French la...
Metal, Brass
H 20.75 in Dm 14.25 in
'Butterflies' Drinks Table / Side Table by Piero Fornasetti, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous collectors item is a 'Farfalle' (Butterflies in Italian) side table by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with its original label. This side table is made with lacquered wood that has a butterflies over red background motif and is affixed on top of a brass tri-pod base that is removable for easy and economical shipping or transport. This table has been completely restored, the top has been re-lacquered with a French Polish clear coat which protects the finish / surface and the artwork below as well adding greater vibrancy and depth to the colors and the brass legs have been gently polished. Some signs of age and patina still present underneath the finish which adds to the beauty of this simple yet beautiful piece. The 'Farfalle' aka 'Butterflies' motif is documented in the book "Fornasetti, The Complete Universe". This rare piece is sought after by interior designers and collectors alike. Perfect piece to add a little splash of whimsy and intrigue into your interior decor. With Zoom meetings from home now a commonplace daily activity - portable side tables are so much more valuable to possess... impress your friends and colleagues with this gorgeous Fornasetti Butterflies side table...
Brass
H 20.08 in Dm 14.57 in
Piero Fornasetti Sole Brass Tripod Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Munich, DE
Eine eleganter Beistelltisch entworfen von Piero Fornasetti in den 1970s und wurde designt mit einem Sonnen Motiv auf lackierten Holzplattealtte und einem dreibeinigen Messinggestell...
Brass
H 21.25 in Dm 14.5 in
Piero Fornasetti Chiavi Side Table, Lacquered Wood and Brass, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A gorgeous collector's Chiavi (Keys in Italian) occasional table by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with its original label. A whimsical drinks table with trompe l'oeil art work ...
Brass
H 21.25 in Dm 14.5 in
Piero Fornasetti Side Table, Lacquered Wood and Brass, 1960s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Miami, FL
A gorgeous collector's occasional table by Piero Fornasetti, signed underneath with its original label. A whimsical drink table with trompe l'oeil art work depicting playing cards, k...
Brass
H 20.87 in Dm 19.69 in
Piero Fornasetti Milano Signed Mid-Century Modern Side Table
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Weesp, NL
Sought after Mid-Century Modern side /drinks table created by Piero Fornasetti in the 1970's. A stylish and rare piece made of lacquered wood board with beautiful artwork displaying ...
Brass