Piero Fornasetti and the Face That Launched a Thousand Plates

One of the many variations of Piedro Fornasetti's motif of Lina Cavalieri's face

If you do not recognize the name, you will certainly recognize the face that Piero Fornasetti used in his designs on plates and other decorative items.  This iconic visage is seen on decorative plates, artwork, fabrics, furniture and wallpaper.

Piero Fornasetti pictured with some of his work
Piero Fornasetti pictured with some of his work
A feature wall display
A feature wall display (casahaus.net)
Variations of Fornasetti's design
Variations of Fornasetti’s design (flickr)
Fornatelli wallpaper enhances this glamorous powder room
Fornatelli wallpaper enhances this glamorous powder room (todaloos)

Piero Fornasetti was an Italian painter, sculptor, interior designer and engraver that popularized items featuring the face of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri.  He created the plate series, “Tema a Variazioni” (theme and variation) based on the singer’s face.  The collection contained over 350 variations.

The face that inspired Fornasetti's plate series - opera soprano Lina Cavalieri
The face that inspired Fornasetti’s plate series – opera soprano Lina Cavalieri (interior-online)
A sampling of the over 350 variations Fornasetti created
A sampling of the over 350 variations Fornasetti created (nssmag)
Fornasetti plates accent this black and white dining room
Fornasetti plates accent this black and white dining room (modernluxury)

Plates and decorative accessories with the image that Fornasetti made famous make wonderful accents in the home.  Modern and traditional interiors alike come alive with a unique sense of fun with these wonderful items.

Fornasetti's plates accent this wall
Fornasetti’s plates accent this wall (wgsn)
Fornasetti plates in the kitchen
Fornasetti plates in the kitchen (lauratj.blogspot)
The appealing whimsy of Fornasetti plates
The appealing whimsy of Fornasetti plates (Pinterest)
Featured in a vignette, Fornasetti plates create a unique statement
Featured in a vignette, Fornasetti plates create a unique statement (oliverburns)
Fornasetti plates grab your attention
Fornasetti plates grab your attention (Pinterest)
Fornasetti plates make a great accent in the contemporary or modern home
Fornasetti plates make a great accent in the contemporary or modern home (decoist)
Various decorative accessories featuring  Fornasetti's creation
Various decorative accessories featuring Fornasetti’s creation (makeupyourmind)
A line of accessories featuring Fornasetti's design
A line of accessories featuring Fornasetti’s design (milkconcept.blogspot)

Wallpaper with the various renditions of Fornasetti’s designs bring a room to life.  Whimsical and a bit mysterious at times, the many faces of Lina Cavalieri cast a spell on you.

Fornasetti wallpaper in the powder room
Fornasetti wallpaper in the powder room (decorpad)
Fornasetti wallpaper is a popular powder room accent
Fornasetti wallpaper is a popular powder room accent (Pinterest)
A color variety of Fornasetti wallpaper is an appealing and unique powder room accent
A color variety of Fornasetti wallpaper is an appealing and unique powder room accent (decoist)
An accent wall covered with Fornasetti wallpaper
An accent wall covered with Fornasetti wallpaper (seaseight.blogspot)
Panels of the Fornasetti's famous creation
A feature wall of the Fornasetti’s famous creation (Pinterest)

Fabric for upholstery and throw pillows with the iconic face of Fornasetti’s Cavalieri infuse a touch of unexpected whimsy to any room in the home.

Fornasetti accent pillow
Fornasetti accent pillow (decoist)
Fornasetti accent pillows make a unique statement
Fornasetti accent pillows make a unique statement (Pinterest)
Make a statement with Fornasetti pillows
Make a statement with Fornasetti pillows (madebygirl.blogspot)
Fornasetti fabric makes a great accent piece
Fornasetti fabric makes a great accent piece (allaboutvignettes.blogspot)

Furniture pieces accented with the various faces of Fornasetti’s creation are sure to become conversation starters in your home.  Chests, tables and sideboards bring a unique element of surprise and whimsy to your interiors.

Tables with the Fornesetti motif
Tables with the Fornesetti motif (designex-show.tumblr)
A sideboard with the Fornasettie motif
A sideboard with the Fornasettie motif (Pinterest)
A chest with Fornasetti's variations of Lina Cavalieri's image
A chest with Fornasetti’s variations of Lina Cavalieri’s image (Pinterest)

Perhaps as iconic as the Mona Lisa, Piero Fornasetti’s variations of Lina Cavalieri’s face are appearing with more frequency in interiors.  The plates are a definite collector’s item and the wallpaper is a great accent wall or powder room feature.  Furniture, fabrics and accessories add a touch of whimsy to your home.  Today, this iconic motif is continued by Fornasetti’s son, Barnaba.  For something unique, try a few of these fanciful items in your home.

 

 

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