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)
Commode demi-lune modèle Palladiana

Piero Fornasetti

Commode demi-lune modèle Palladiana

Sale Date: June 18, 2007

Auction Closed

Suite de 12 assiettes représentant Eve, 1990

Piero Fornasetti

Suite de 12 assiettes représentant Eve, 1990

Sale Date: June 27, 2007

Auction Closed

Suite de 12 assiettes représentant Adam, 1990

Piero Fornasetti

Suite de 12 assiettes représentant Adam, 1990

Sale Date: June 27, 2007

Auction Closed

Assiettes (2 sets of 6; 12 works), 1955

Piero Fornasetti

Assiettes (2 sets of 6; 12 works), 1955

Sale Date: June 26, 2007

Auction Closed

Side table, 1981

Piero Fornasetti

Side table, 1981

Sale Date: June 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Exhibition poster, 1962

Piero Fornasetti

Exhibition poster, 1962

Sale Date: June 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Paravent en bois, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Paravent en bois, 1950

Sale Date: June 11, 2007

Auction Closed

Archittetura cabinet, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Archittetura cabinet, 1950

Sale Date: June 5, 2007

Auction Closed

Low table

Piero Fornasetti

Low table

Sale Date: May 31, 2007

Auction Closed

Capitello Corinzio side chair, 1955

Piero Fornasetti

Capitello Corinzio side chair, 1955

Sale Date: June 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Guéridon rond, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Guéridon rond, 1950

Sale Date: May 24, 2007

Auction Closed

Élégant miroir circulaire, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

Élégant miroir circulaire, 1950

Sale Date: May 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Set of 18 Astrolabio plates, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Set of 18 Astrolabio plates, 1950–1959

Sale Date: May 19, 2007

Auction Closed

An umbrella stand, 1950

Piero Fornasetti

An umbrella stand, 1950

Sale Date: May 9, 2007

Auction Closed

Adam (in 12 parts), 1954

Piero Fornasetti

Adam (in 12 parts), 1954

Sale Date: April 25, 2007

Auction Closed

Petit guéridon ancien à plateau circulaire

Piero Fornasetti

Petit guéridon ancien à plateau circulaire

Sale Date: April 24, 2007

Auction Closed

Bathroom suite (14 works), 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Bathroom suite (14 works), 1950–1959

Sale Date: May 4, 2007

Auction Closed

Table lamps (pair), 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Table lamps (pair), 1950–1959

Sale Date: April 26, 2007

Auction Closed

Le Oceanidi coupelle (+ 6 others; set of 7)

Piero Fornasetti

Le Oceanidi coupelle (+ 6 others; set of 7)

Sale Date: April 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Pot à tabac couvert cylindrique

Piero Fornasetti

Pot à tabac couvert cylindrique

Sale Date: March 19, 2007

Auction Closed

Umbrella stand, 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Umbrella stand, 1960

Sale Date: March 25, 2007

Auction Closed

Scaletta (Little Staircase) folding screen, 1990

Piero Fornasetti

Scaletta (Little Staircase) folding screen, 1990

Sale Date: March 25, 2007

Auction Closed

Tessuti screen, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Tessuti screen, 1950–1959

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Screen, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Screen, 1950–1959

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

English (US)

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