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)
Seven Cupole dItalia plates, 1960–1969

Piero Fornasetti

Seven Cupole dItalia plates, 1960–1969

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Viole ice bucket, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Viole ice bucket, 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Alghe Marine wastepaper basket, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Alghe Marine wastepaper basket, 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Greca jar, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Greca jar, 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Orci Romagnoli ice bucket, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Orci Romagnoli ice bucket, 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

‘Alghe Marine‘ tray, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

‘Alghe Marine‘ tray, 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Farfalle tray, 1970–1979

Piero Fornasetti

Farfalle tray, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Two Farfalle and Ultime Notizie..., 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Two Farfalle and Ultime Notizie..., 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Set of eight cups, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Set of eight cups, 1950–1959

Sale Date: September 27, 2023

Auction Closed

Set of eight cups, 1950–1959

Piero Fornasetti

Set of eight cups, 1950–1959

Sale Date: September 27, 2023

Auction Closed

Maschere italiane

Piero Fornasetti

Maschere italiane

Sale Date: September 14, 2023

Auction Closed

Carriage series card holder

Piero Fornasetti

Carriage series card holder

Sale Date: September 8, 2023

Auction Closed

Carriage series card holder

Piero Fornasetti

Carriage series card holder

Sale Date: September 8, 2023

Auction Closed

Dodici piatti in porcellana decorata e..., 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Dodici piatti in porcellana decorata e..., 1960

Sale Date: September 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Dodici piatti in porcellana decorata e..., 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Dodici piatti in porcellana decorata e..., 1960

Sale Date: September 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Banquette

Piero Fornasetti

Banquette "Lune et Soleil"

Sale Date: June 4, 2023

Auction Closed

Banquette

Piero Fornasetti

Banquette "Lune et Soleil"

Sale Date: June 4, 2023

Auction Closed

PIERO FORNASETTI SLEEPING CERAMIC CAT DECORATED...

Piero Fornasetti

PIERO FORNASETTI SLEEPING CERAMIC CAT DECORATED...

Sale Date: July 22, 2023

Auction Closed

Piero Fornasetti

"Unico" coffee table, 2006

Sale Date: January 25, 2023

Auction Closed

Vassoio Viole con portavassoio

Piero Fornasetti

Vassoio Viole con portavassoio

Sale Date: March 8, 2023

Auction Closed

From the original first series of..., 1960–1969

Piero Fornasetti

From the original first series of..., 1960–1969

Sale Date: June 22, 2023

Auction Closed

Un elefante portafiori.

Piero Fornasetti

Un elefante portafiori.

Sale Date: April 19, 2023

Auction Closed

Adamo ed Eva'

Piero Fornasetti

Adamo ed Eva'

Sale Date: April 19, 2023

Auction Closed

Table lamp Montgolfiere, 1960

Piero Fornasetti

Table lamp Montgolfiere, 1960

Sale Date: April 22, 2023

Auction Closed

English (US)

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