TABLE LAMP FONTANA ARTE

Table lamp, from the 1940s, produced by the renowned Italian company Fontana Arte.

A pair of exquisite table lamps, designed by Pietro Chiesa. They will perfectly complement bedside tables or shelves, creating an exceptional ambiance. Crafted from intricately engraved glass, with brass accents adding the finishing touch, these lamps are truly special.

Pietro Chiesa, born in 1892 into the renowned Ticino artistic family, opened his own glass workshop, Bottega di Pietro Chiesa, in 1921 after apprenticing with furniture designer Giovan Battista Giannotta. He blended exceptional modernity with high technical knowledge in his work, creating stained glass for the Trieste stock exchange, the motor ship Victoria, and the transatlantic Conte di Savoia. In 1932, Gio Ponti invited him to join Fontana Arte as artistic director, a role that allowed him to express his creativity by designing over a thousand different items, including furniture, tables, lamps, windows, and artworks. Chiesa passed away in Paris in 1948.

Fontana Arte originated from Luigi Fontana’s glass plate manufacturing company established in 1881, which achieved great success in the construction sector, becoming one of Italy’s largest glass producers. In the early 1930s, Fontana aimed to venture ambitiously into the artistic glass and decor market, hiring renowned Italian designer Gio Ponti to assist. Thus, in 1933, Fontana Arte was born, merging the same year with Pietro Chiesa’s company, Bottega di Pietro Chiesa. Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa became the company’s artistic directors. They quickly gained recognition and esteem for their refined glass products, including stained glass, lighting, mirrors, and even glass furniture. In the post-war years, amid economic turmoil, they continued crafting prestigious pieces, primarily for hotels and offices. In 1954, Max Ingrand took over as artistic director, ushering the company into a new era of success. With his creations, they regained prestige and acclaim. Fontana Arte went through several ups and downs but managed to survive to the present day. In 1998, Fontana Arte was even awarded the ADI Compasso d’Oro for its significant contribution to Italian design heritage. Today, they continue their design endeavors, collaborating with many 21st-century architects and designers. Their notable works can be found in prestigious museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where they are part of the permanent collection.

Dimensions: 18 x 14.5 cm

Weight: 580 g

The table lamps are in excellent condition. For E14 bulbs. Price is for one.