Who thought that wit is needed to make furniture? The classic belief is that good craftsmanship is all it takes. But Piero Fornasetti went beyond the conventional when he started the Milan-based brand Fornasetti in 1950s.
Piero Fornasetti, a painter, a sculptor and interior decorator, was inspired by every thing beautiful and created sensational graphics using various themes and symbols. Fornasetti’s works were inventive, considering the fact that his ideas seem to come from simple things, which we would usually take for granted. Fornasetti’s son, Barnaba Fornasetti, is now carrying on Fornasetti’s tradition by reviving the most popular pieces and creating new ones. An incredible array of Piero Fornasetti’s motifs have been brought back from Fornasetti’s archive by his son Barnaba.
His playful works have garnered many fans from across the world. They are all set to come to touch Indian shores now. The Marigold Group, marketer and distributor of various uber-luxury international brands in India, has recently partnered with Fornasetti for the exclusive distribution and retailing rights of the brand in India.
The collection available in stores in India is made from lacquered multi-stratum wood warm curved and printed by hand using the exclusive techniques and skills of the Fornasetti laboratory. Mainly, Rosenthal porcelain has been used. They use their white shapes and then decorate them. Since the decor is very delicate and sensitive to scratches, it’s not possible to wash it in the dishwasher. It can only be washed by hand with neutral soap. The metal used for bookends, round trays and boxes is iron. The gold on porcelain pieces is hand painted or silk-screened. It can be cleaned with cold water. Smouldering eyes, sensuous lips and a benign sun feature as the main motifs across the collection.
Fornasetti’s other famous motifs, which he has used in his works, include theater and opera programmes and librettos, pasta recipes, Roman busts, walking sticks, neo-classic architecture, musical instruments, books, fish, smiling moons, playing cards, sonatas and sentimental sayings.
Price: Ceramic accessories line (tea cups/mugs/ashtrays): Rs 8000- 25,000
Furniture: Rs 45,000-12,00,000
Available at:
Fornasetti New Delhi (19 A Sunder Nagar Market, 2nd Floor, New Delhi, Tel: +91-11-43085818)
Fornasetti Mumbai (Ravissant, New India Center, 17 A Cooperage Road, Mumbai, Tel: +91-22-22873405)