Zodiac of the Apothecary: Fornasetti Plate for Cancer

Object: Decorative Plate (No. 8 of the series)
Designer: Piero Fornasetti
Commission: Crinos S.p.A. (Italian Pharmaceutical Company)
Series: Gli Zodiaci Farmacopei (The Pharmacopoeia Zodiac)
Date: Circa 1950s
Medium: Porcelain with Black and White Transfer Print

Dimensions: 9 3/4 inches diameter x 1 inch high.

This distinctive porcelain plate, dedicated to the zodiac sign Cancer (June 22 - July 22), is a fascinating piece from the limited-edition series, Gli Zodiaci Farmacopei. It was specifically commissioned by the Italian pharmaceutical company Crinos and produced by Fornasetti, blending art, astrology, and marketing in a typically mid-century Italian fashion .

The plate features an intricate, $17^{th}$-century-style engraving of a crab"”the Cancer symbol"”at its center. Surrounding this image are Italian inscriptions detailing the sign's characteristics: QUALITÀ: SENSIBILITÀ (Quality: Sensitivity), DIFETTO: INCOSTANZA (Flaw: Fickleness), and PIETRA: PERLA (Stone: Pearl). The design uses the classic Fornasetti black-and-white graphic style, which was inspired by historical engravings and printed media.

Historical Context: Art, Commerce, and the Crinos Commission

Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was renowned for transforming common household objects into witty, surreal canvases. In the $1950$s and $1960$s, he often undertook commissions for major corporations, using their promotional needs as a vehicle for his own art. The Gli Zodiaci Farmacopei series is an excellent example, created as a special gift to Crinos's clients and associates.

The series title, which translates to "The Pharmacopoeia Zodiac," playfully links the ancient concepts of astrological influence and natural remedies (which were historically part of the pharmacopoeia) with the modern pharmaceutical industry. It represents the height of post-war Italian design, where high art and commercial utility merged seamlessly. The plate is clearly marked on the reverse, identifying the series number (No. 8), the collaboration, and the city of origin (MILANO).

References

Fornasetti: The Complete Universe, edited by Barnaba Fornasetti (for context on commissions and zodiac series).

Historical Crinos Advertising and promotional materials.

Museum Collections of 20th-century Italian design (e.g., Triennale Design Museum, Milan

(Ref: NY08350-nki)


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

Dimensions:
Height: 9.5 in.
Width: 9.5 in.
Depth: 1 in.

Category: Decorative Plates
Materials: Porcelain
Creator: Designer: Piero Fornasetti

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition