Piero Fornasetti

(Italian, 1913–1988)

Piero Fornasetti was an Italian engraver, interior decorator, and artist. Born on November 10, 1913 in Milan, Italy, he attended and was later expelled from the city’s Brera Art Academy. He was later expelled again—this time from Italy altogether—during World War II, and went on to develop as an artist in Switzerland. Fornasetti is known for using a swath of fanciful motifs such as the sun, moon, playing cards, animals, and other Surrealist imagery. He is best known for the recurring face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, using her image across numerous works, including a series of 350 individual plates. Most of the artist’s pieces are executed in black and white—the total number of his designed objects are in the tens of thousands. Fornasetti’s other notable talent was for interior design, creating whimsical items such as umbrella stands and dressers, as well as full rooms such as the Casino Remo’s famous “Zodiac Suite,” where the walls are intricately decorated with all the creatures of the zodiac. In 1959, Fornasetti received a Neiman Marcus Award for “distinguished service in the field of fashion.'” He died on October 9, 1988 in Milan, Italy.

Piero Fornasetti Artworks

Piero Fornasetti (3,190 results)
Mirror, 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Mirror, 1960

Sale Date: June 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Piatti Zodiaco (12 works), 1963

Piero Fornasetti

Piatti Zodiaco (12 works), 1963

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Scatola gioielli

Piero Fornasetti

Scatola gioielli

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Tavolino/Vassoio Braccio ingioiellato

Piero Fornasetti

Tavolino/Vassoio Braccio ingioiellato

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Sedia Farfalle (model by Giordano Chiesa)

Piero Fornasetti

Sedia Farfalle (model by Giordano Chiesa)

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Tavolino viso

Piero Fornasetti

Tavolino viso

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Specchio raggi di sole, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Specchio raggi di sole, 1950

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Cassettoncino architettura

Piero Fornasetti

Cassettoncino architettura

Sale Date: June 14, 2011

Auction Closed

Sole di Capri tray table, 1970–1979

Piero Fornasetti

Sole di Capri tray table, 1970–1979

Sale Date: June 11, 2011

Auction Closed

Panel, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Panel, 1950–1959

Sale Date: June 11, 2011

Auction Closed

Folding screen, 1980–1989

Piero Fornasetti

Folding screen, 1980–1989

Sale Date: June 11, 2011

Auction Closed

Tablett mit Gemüsedekor und Ständer

Piero Fornasetti

Tablett mit Gemüsedekor und Ständer

Sale Date: June 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Lampadaire, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Lampadaire, 1950

Sale Date: June 1, 2011

Auction Closed

Commode demi-lune

Piero Fornasetti

Commode demi-lune

Sale Date: May 25, 2011

Auction Closed

Portaombrelli

Piero Fornasetti

Portaombrelli

Sale Date: May 31, 2011

Auction Closed

Musicale chairs (pair)

Piero Fornasetti

Musicale chairs (pair)

Sale Date: June 9, 2011

Auction Closed

Strumenti musicali coffee table

Piero Fornasetti

Strumenti musicali coffee table

Sale Date: June 9, 2011

Auction Closed

Plates (set of 31), 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Plates (set of 31), 1950

Sale Date: June 1, 2011

Auction Closed

Table ware (set of 21), 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Table ware (set of 21), 1950

Sale Date: June 1, 2011

Auction Closed

Sezioni di frutta (set of 10)

Piero Fornasetti

Sezioni di frutta (set of 10)

Sale Date: May 23, 2011

Auction Closed

Plates (set of 6)

Piero Fornasetti

Plates (set of 6)

Sale Date: May 23, 2011

Auction Closed

Two-tier rolling cart: Chiavi e pistole, 1955

Piero Fornasetti

Two-tier rolling cart: Chiavi e pistole, 1955

Sale Date: June 7, 2011

Auction Closed

Assiettes 9model The glory of Italian..., 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Assiettes 9model The glory of Italian..., 1960

Sale Date: May 30, 2011

Auction Closed

Boîtes rectangulaires (set of 2), 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Boîtes rectangulaires (set of 2), 1960

Sale Date: May 30, 2011

Auction Closed