School's In Session: Fornasetti's Enchanting "Passage of Fish" Plates

Artist: Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988)
Pattern: "Pesci" or "Passage of Fish," plates numbered #2 & #3
Period: Circa 1960s

Take a dive into the imaginative world of Piero Fornasetti with this rare pair of decorative plates. More than just tableware, they are a fantastic example of the Italian master's fascination with nature, repetition, and a touch of graphic illusion.

A School of Whimsy: The "Pesci" Pattern
These two plates, numbered #2 and #3, are part of Fornasetti's delightful "Pesci" (Fish) or "Passage of Fish" pattern, designed around the 1960s. The genius of the design lies in the way the schools of fish"”one a vibrant mix of yellows and golds (Plate #3), the other a striking group of blue, green, and red fish (Plate #2)"”appear to be swimming across the surface of the porcelain.

Fornasetti was a champion of using high-quality lithographic transfers on ceramic, a technique that allowed him to reproduce his intricate, detailed drawings with precision and saturation. The result here is a wonderful trompe-l'oeil effect: the fish look like they've been freshly pulled from a natural history illustration and are still moving.

Context: Fornasetti and the Cabinet of Curiosities
Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was a celebrated Milanese designer, painter, and sculptor who created over 11,000 objects. His work is defined by its whimsical, sophisticated, and often surreal repetition of motifs, turning everyday objects into art pieces.

The Golden Age of Design: The 1950s and 60s marked a creative peak for Fornasetti, who partnered frequently with architect Gio Ponti. While Ponti focused on streamlined, modern structures, Fornasetti filled them with pattern, wit, and narrative, arguing that functional objects should also "bring a smile to the user."

Motif as Obsession: Just as he endlessly explored the face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, Fornasetti returned repeatedly to natural forms"”butterflies, shells, hot-air balloons, and, famously, fish. His "Pesci" series turns a simple dinner plate into a lively, teeming pond, reflecting his desire to inject surprise and wonder into domestic life.

These plates, measuring 9 1/4 inches in diameter, are highly collectible pieces of mid-century Italian design, perfect for collectors who appreciate an object with both historical depth and graphic humor.

Reference: Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Patrick Mauriès, page 264, #164.

(Ref: NY9259B/iir)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good

Dimensions:
Height: 9.25 in.
Width: 9.25 in.
Depth: 1.5 in.

Category: Decorative Plates
Origin: Italy
Materials: Pottery
Creator: Brand: Piero Fornasetti; Artist: Piero Fornasetti; Designer: Piero Fornasetti

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Location: This item ships from Downingtown, PA

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good