Fontana Arte Lighting
Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting fixtures, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti.
The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus — at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere.
The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass.
Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels, bold lighting pieces such as the Parola series and the Giova, a combination flower vase and table lamp. As a key incubator of modern design under Aulenti’s tenure, Fontana Arte remained true to its long-held commitment — creating objects that have never been less than daring.
Find vintage Fontana Arte lighting fixtures such as pendants, table lamps and more on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Fontana Arte
1960-1970 Rare Italian Lamp by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1960-1970 rare Italian lamp by Fontana Arte in gilded brass and smoked glass.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Small 1970s Chandelier by Quattro Zero
By Fontana Arte, Quattro Zero Edited By Fontana Arte
Located in Paris, FR
Small 1970s chandelier by Quattro Zero, made with elements of cut glass.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal
Italian Adjustable Floor Lamp by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Italian adjustable floor lamp by Fontana Arte.
Enameled metal shade attached to a brass arm and pole standing on a glass base. Restored a...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Fontana Arte Chandelier
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Chandelier made of a central chromed tube housing a bulb. Attached are 3 large curved thick pieces of glass and curving in the opposite direction 3 sheets of chromed metal with a tub...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. A beautifully crafted ornate glass chandelier comprising of an aged brass framework and beaded glass drapery. Sage green enamel detailing, as well as pronged brass fences...
Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair Swedish Design Parchment Paper Sconces Wall Lights, 1980s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A Pair of rare swedish design wall lights of parchment paper and metal wall, Sweden, 1980s. Both sconces in fine vintage condition, no damages. Each sconce takes one E27 screw base l...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal
Max Ingrand ceiling lamp model 2448 Fontana Arte 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning ceiling lamp model 2448 designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte in Italy 1960. The lamps feature a round chrome structure that holds thirty-two chiseled gla...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Chrome, Nickel
Pair of Max Ingrand Wall Lights Sconces for Fontana Arte Model 2093, Italy, 1961
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of wall lights sconces by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 2093, Italy, 1960-1961. Organically shaped double lens cut panels of of thick profiled polished Murano glass with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Flush Mount Wall/Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large flush mount wall/ceiling light by Max Ingrand by Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1950's. Wired for U.S. standards. Glass, brass. Painted metal. We recom...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Flushmount by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flush Mount by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1950s. A classic and beautifully constructed flush mount consisting of textured shelled gla...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass, Aluminum
Italian Mongolfiera Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte 1968
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
“Mongolfiera” lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte dating from 1968. Italian manufacturing in opaline Murano glass & chrome steel. Small modem with ...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Fontana Arte Sconces by Max Ingrand Model 2240
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chicago, IL
Model 2240, by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte featuring thick pale green glass diffusers with double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished glass with acid-etched glass centers and...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fontana Arte Ceiling Light Model 1748 by Max Ingrand
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte ceiling light model 1748 designed by Max Ingrand in the 1950s. Features a beautiful thick glass shade with beveled e...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte Suspension Pendant Lamp
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti pendant lamp for Fontana Arte originally designed in the 1930s is an iconic design. This lamp was produced in Italy during the late 1980s and features varying sizes of hori...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Rare Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and monumental table lamp created by the famous designer Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.
It is one of the most iconic lamps of 1940s Italian design, elegant and p...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Fontana Arte Wall Light circa 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fontana Arte sconce.
This listing is for sconce with dimensions 9.75 by 8 inches
Designed and manufactured in Italy 1960s.
Textured glass, brass, enameled metal.
Take 2 candelabra b...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Fontana Arte Rectangular Flush Mount Wall or Ceiling Light
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fontana Arte flush mount ceiling or wall light.
This listing is for the long rectangular light.
Italy 1960s.
Textured glass, brass, metal.
Compl...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte Italian Giova Metal Glass Table Lamp, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Lampada da tavolo italiana, vintage di modernariato, modello Giova small disegnata da Gae Aulenti e prodotta da Fontana Arte con base in metallo cromato e diffusori in vetro bianco, ...
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal
mod. "2487" by G. Celada for Fontana Arte Table Glass and Metal Lamp, 60s Italy
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Very stylish table lamp, model "2487", attributed to Gianni Celada, produced by Fontana Arte, Italy 1968, in chromed metal with hemispherical milk glass diffuser with concave top lid...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Ceiling suspension Model 2356
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana model 2356 ceiling suspension.
Designed and made in Italy in 1960s.
Satin opaline glass diffuser with beautiful warm patina brass.
Takes 4 candelabra E12 bulb...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large and Rare Flush Mount Wall / Ceiling Light by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960's
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Large and rare flush mount wall/ceiling light by Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1950's. Wired for U.S. standards. Recommend lamping: 120v (8) E14 Sockets 25W...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Max Ingrand Ceiling Light
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Pendant Model no. 1462 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Amber-colored glass, frosted glass, brass. 8 x E12, (candelabra) sockets.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fontana Arte mod. "2228" by Max Ingrand Set of 2 Crystal Table Lamp Italy 60s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
Very rare and beautiful set of 2 table lamps, abat-jour, model "2228" by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, in light blue faceted cut crystal, with nickel-plated brass lampshade with cent...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Franceschina Table Lamp by Umberto Riva for Fontana Arte, 1989
By Fontana Arte, Umberto Riva
Located in UTRECHT, NL
Table lamp, model Franceschina. Designed by Umberto Riva in 1989. Produced by Fontana Arte with the highest quality materials such as bronze and soft satin opaline glass. A design th...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pietro Chiesa Floor Lamp in brass and linen for Fontana Arte, Italy 1933
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Milan, IT
Stunning Pietro Chiesa 0312 model Floor Lamp in brass and linen textile for Fontana Arte.
This is a 1970s model that was Originally designed in 1933.
Superb vintage condition!
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fontana Arte Wall Light Model 1636 by Max Ingrand
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Fontana Arte Wall Light Model 1636 by Max Ingrand
$9,500.00
Rare wall lights, model 1636, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1950s. Each features a curved frosted glass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Glass
Max Ingrand Modernist Sconces
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist sconces by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, with thick diamond shaped glass plates, beveled edge, held by brass mounts.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Gianni Celada Table Lamp for Fontana Arte Model "Mongolfiera"
By Fontana Arte, Gianni Celada
Located in Brussels, BE
GIANNI CELADA FOR FONTANA ARTE.
Table lamp model "Mongolfiera" with glossy white glass diffuser and chromed brass bands, 1968-69.
3 different turn on lighting position.
Glass and ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Glass, Opaline Glass
Mod. 1940 Wall/Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 1940 wall or ceiling light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Simple square-shaped flush mount with textured glass shade and ename...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Pair of Sconces Model 1943
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte original exquisite pair of modernist sconces model 1943 with two thick triangular beveled satin or acid-etched crystal plates h...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand Pendant
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare pendant #2127 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Crystal-cut glass, colored beveled glass, acid-etched glass, nickeled brass. 8 candelabra sockets & clear, rose, blue and green o...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
1960s Tall Glass and Brass Sconce by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Elegant wall lights from the designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Glass
Fontana Arte Rectangular Flush Mount Ceiling or Wall Light
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fontana Arte rectangular flush mount ceiling or wall laight.
Italy 1960s.
Textured glass, brass, metal.
Rewired for US.
Takes 3 candelabra bulbs.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Splendid Pietro Chiesa Art Deco Floreal Ceiling Lamp for Fontana Arte, 1930s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Pietro Chiesa Floreal ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte.
Decorated with leaves and flowers
Nickeled brass
Italy 1930s.
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Nickel
Italian Midcentury Fontana Arte Glass Brass Sconces Wall Lamps, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design Fontana Arte big sconces / wall lamps with brass frame and frosted glass diffusers, 1940s
Please note that the lamps are original of the period and...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceiling light by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Manufactured in Italy, circa 1950's. Crystal, chrome, glass, custom brass backplate. Wired for U.S. standards. We recommend eight E14 2...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Chrome
Sophisticated Luminator Floor Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Voorburg, NL
Pietro Chiesa 'Luminator' floor lamp for Fontana Arte, 1980s. Marked with Fontana Arte label. Originally designed in 1933 and produced by Fontana Arte, this iconic design retains suc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Midcentury "Diaframma" Sconce by Piero & Monti Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1968
By Fontana Arte, Gianemilio Piero and Anna Monti
Located in Merida, Yucatan
"Diaframma" wall light, circa 1968
Chrome-plated metal, opaque glass, lacquered metal.
Measures: 12 in. (30.5 cm) deep, 19 in. (48.3 cm) wide when fully opened.
Manufactured by Font...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Fontana Arte Ceiling Fixture
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Etched glass ceiling fixture by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte.
Early hanging light with 5 standard sockets. Beautiful etched glass dish incised ...
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Fontana Arte Lighting
Fontana Arte lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Fontana Arte lighting are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Fontana Arte lighting, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 538 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 163 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lighting by Fontana Arte were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by Gaetano Sciolari, Mazzega Murano, and Barovier&Toso. Prices for Fontana Arte lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $155 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,331.
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