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.

Related Categories

Contemporary Art, Furniture, Impressionist and Modern Art

Related Artists

Alvar Aalto, Shiro Kuramata, Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, Ettore Sottsass

Piero Fornasetti Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Piero Fornasetti (3,190 results)
Tablett Fiori settecenteschi, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Tablett Fiori settecenteschi, 1950–1959

Sale Date: June 23, 2009

Auction Closed

Zwei Stoffballen Mongolfiere, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Zwei Stoffballen Mongolfiere, 1950–1959

Sale Date: June 23, 2009

Auction Closed

Biglietti de Visita desk, 1950

Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti

Biglietti de Visita desk, 1950

Sale Date: June 7, 2009

Auction Closed

Madrepore table, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Madrepore table, 1950

Sale Date: June 12, 2009

Auction Closed

Paravent présentant au recto un décor...

Piero Fornasetti

Paravent présentant au recto un décor...

Sale Date: June 8, 2009

Auction Closed

A set of Adam and Eve plates (set of 24), 1954

After Piero Fornasetti

A set of Adam and Eve plates (set of 24), 1954

Sale Date: May 26, 2009

Auction Closed

A Libri cabinet

Piero Fornasetti

A Libri cabinet

Sale Date: May 26, 2009

Auction Closed

Fondo Marino coffee table, 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Fondo Marino coffee table, 1960

Sale Date: June 2, 2009

Auction Closed

Cylindrical vase, 1940

Piero Fornasetti

Cylindrical vase, 1940

Sale Date: May 19, 2009

Auction Closed

Tablett mit Ständer Chiavi e pistole, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Tablett mit Ständer Chiavi e pistole, 1950–1959

Sale Date: May 9, 2009

Auction Closed

Table basse

Piero Fornasetti

Table basse

Sale Date: May 15, 2009

Auction Closed

Sonnen-Teppich, 1970–1979

Piero Fornasetti

Sonnen-Teppich, 1970–1979

Sale Date: May 14, 2009

Auction Closed

Couchtisch, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Couchtisch, 1950–1959

Sale Date: May 14, 2009

Auction Closed

Tischlampe, 1955

Piero Fornasetti

Tischlampe, 1955

Sale Date: May 14, 2009

Auction Closed

Tablett, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Tablett, 1950

Sale Date: May 14, 2009

Auction Closed

Paravent modèle à décor d'acrobates (4 parts), 1952

Piero Fornasetti

Paravent modèle à décor d'acrobates (4 parts), 1952

Sale Date: May 17, 2009

Auction Closed

Commode modèle Palladiana (revisited by..., 1990

After Piero Fornasetti

Commode modèle Palladiana (revisited by..., 1990

Sale Date: May 17, 2009

Auction Closed

Chaise modèle Le Maure, 1954

Piero Fornasetti

Chaise modèle Le Maure, 1954

Sale Date: May 17, 2009

Auction Closed

Porte-parapluie modèle Piccolo coromandel, 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Porte-parapluie modèle Piccolo coromandel, 1960

Sale Date: May 17, 2009

Auction Closed

Porte-parapluie modèle ananas, 1950–1960

Piero Fornasetti

Porte-parapluie modèle ananas, 1950–1960

Sale Date: May 17, 2009

Auction Closed

Panel, 1950–1975

Piero Fornasetti

Panel, 1950–1975

Sale Date: May 5, 2009

Auction Closed

Cache pot and six Malachite series..., 1950–1955

Piero Fornasetti

Cache pot and six Malachite series..., 1950–1955

Sale Date: May 5, 2009

Auction Closed

Table, 1950–1999

Piero Fornasetti

Table, 1950–1999

Sale Date: May 5, 2009

Auction Closed

Coffee table, 1970

Piero Fornasetti

Coffee table, 1970

Sale Date: December 5, 2004

Auction Closed

English (US)

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