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

Origin:
Italy

Creator:
Artist: Piero Fornasetti; Designer: Piero Fornasetti

Materials & Techniques:
Ceramic

International: No International Shipping for this auction.
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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition