
Description
The Vegetable Garden: Rare Fornasetti "Ceramiche di Bollate" Appetizer Set,
Circa 1950s
A charming and rare mid-century ceramic appetizer set by Atelier Fornasetti, produced in Milan during the 1950s.
The set comprises three rectangular deep dishes with flared rims, designed to sit side-by-side within their original wooden serving tray. Each dish is decorated with a vibrant, hand-colored transfer print featuring a different vegetable motif, playful and perfect for an aperitivo: One with a row of purple-topped turnips (or radishes) with trailing roots. One with a border of bright red tomatoes and the third with a selection of olives in varying shades of green and yellow/black.
The crisp white porcelain contrasts beautifully with the warm tone of the wood carrier, which features integrated handles for serving.
Markings:
Manufacturer: The underside bears the green underglaze shield mark of "Bollante Milane" (Ceramiche di Bollate).
Decorator: Stamped with the Fornasetti mark (hand holding a brush) in green, with the inscription Fornasetti. Milano / Made in Italy in black.
Retailer: The wooden tray retains fragments of an original paper price ticket inscribed "Fifth Ave" (likely Saks Fifth Avenue), with the code "F556" and original price "$27.50".
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The ceramic dishes are free of chips or cracks. The hand-coloring remains vivid. The wooden tray shows minor age-appropriate wear.
Measurements:
Overall (Tray & Dishes): 2 3/8 inches high x 14 3/8 inches wide x 9 inches deep (6 cm x 36.5 cm x 22.9 cm)
Individual Dishes: 1 3/4 inches high x 8 1/8 inches wide x 4 1/4 inches deep (4.5 cm x 20.6 cm x 10.8 cm)
Historical Context:
This set is particularly collectible due to the "Ceramiche di Bollate" mark. In the early years of his career (late 1940s–1950s), Piero Fornasetti did not manufacture his own ceramic shapes. Instead, he sourced high-quality white "blanks" from local factories, such as Ceramiche di Bollate (located near Milan), to serve as canvases for his designs. Fornasetti famously presented prototypes made with Bollate blanks at the VIII Milan Triennale in 1947. The presence of this dual marking places the set firmly in the "Golden Age" of Fornasetti's post-war production.
Provenance:
Retains original retailer label, likely from Saks Fifth Avenue (New York), a major importer of high-end Italian design in the mid-20th century.
(Ref: NY10999-ncrx)
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition
Dimensions:
Height: 2.5 in.
Width: 14.5 in.
Depth: 9 in.
Category: Serving Dishes & Pieces
Origin: Italy
Materials: Ceramic
Creator: Artist: Piero Fornasetti; Designer: Piero Fornasetti
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $54.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: No International Shipping for this auction. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Downingtown, PA
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Circa 1950s
A charming and rare mid-century ceramic appetizer set by Atelier Fornasetti, produced in Milan during the 1950s.
The set comprises three rectangular deep dishes with flared rims, designed to sit side-by-side within their original wooden serving tray. Each dish is decorated with a vibrant, hand-colored transfer print featuring a different vegetable motif, playful and perfect for an aperitivo: One with a row of purple-topped turnips (or radishes) with trailing roots. One with a border of bright red tomatoes and the third with a selection of olives in varying shades of green and yellow/black.
The crisp white porcelain contrasts beautifully with the warm tone of the wood carrier, which features integrated handles for serving.
Markings:
Manufacturer: The underside bears the green underglaze shield mark of "Bollante Milane" (Ceramiche di Bollate).
Decorator: Stamped with the Fornasetti mark (hand holding a brush) in green, with the inscription Fornasetti. Milano / Made in Italy in black.
Retailer: The wooden tray retains fragments of an original paper price ticket inscribed "Fifth Ave" (likely Saks Fifth Avenue), with the code "F556" and original price "$27.50".
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The ceramic dishes are free of chips or cracks. The hand-coloring remains vivid. The wooden tray shows minor age-appropriate wear.
Measurements:
Overall (Tray & Dishes): 2 3/8 inches high x 14 3/8 inches wide x 9 inches deep (6 cm x 36.5 cm x 22.9 cm)
Individual Dishes: 1 3/4 inches high x 8 1/8 inches wide x 4 1/4 inches deep (4.5 cm x 20.6 cm x 10.8 cm)
Historical Context:
This set is particularly collectible due to the "Ceramiche di Bollate" mark. In the early years of his career (late 1940s–1950s), Piero Fornasetti did not manufacture his own ceramic shapes. Instead, he sourced high-quality white "blanks" from local factories, such as Ceramiche di Bollate (located near Milan), to serve as canvases for his designs. Fornasetti famously presented prototypes made with Bollate blanks at the VIII Milan Triennale in 1947. The presence of this dual marking places the set firmly in the "Golden Age" of Fornasetti's post-war production.
Provenance:
Retains original retailer label, likely from Saks Fifth Avenue (New York), a major importer of high-end Italian design in the mid-20th century.
(Ref: NY10999-ncrx)
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition
Dimensions:
Height: 2.5 in.
Width: 14.5 in.
Depth: 9 in.
Category: Serving Dishes & Pieces
Origin: Italy
Materials: Ceramic
Creator: Artist: Piero Fornasetti; Designer: Piero Fornasetti
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition
Buyer's Premium
20%
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Appetizer Set and Tray
Estimate $1,000-$2,250
Starting Price
$1,000
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Vintage & Design Auction
Mar 13, 2026 6:00 PM EDTNew York, NY, United States
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