Piero Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, Map Pattern, Motiv 31, With Original Box

Details

Description

Piero Fornasetti and Rosenthal "The Map" Plate (Motiv 31)

An exceptional and highly collectible piece, this Themes & Variations (Tema … Read more Piero Fornasetti and Rosenthal "The Map" Plate (Motiv 31)

An exceptional and highly collectible piece, this Themes & Variations (Tema e Variazioni) porcelain plate, Motiv 31, represents a rare intersection of Italian artistic genius and German porcelain excellence. Created in the 1980s by the celebrated designer Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988) and masterfully produced by Rosenthal, this plate features the iconic motif known as "The Map."

The Art of Variation and Surrealism
The design centers on the captivating, archetypal face of 19th-century opera singer Lina Cavalieri, who became Fornasetti’s muse after he discovered her portrait in an old French magazine. Fornasetti was not interested in her celebrity but in the "formal, graphic appeal" of her features—which he called a quintessential image of classical beauty, "enigmatic like the Gioconda."

In Motiv 31, the timeless portrait is elevated to a surreal metaphor. Cavalieri’s serene visage is dramatically overlaid with the complex lines and old-world typography of an ancient nautical map, complete with a compass rose. The combination transforms the face from a simple portrait into a cartographic puzzle, suggesting the mystery of identity, the landscape of the human mind, or an uncharted emotional terrain. This use of layered, graphic black-and-white imagery is the signature of Fornasetti's style, blending Neoclassical refinement with Surrealist wit.

Historical Collaboration
This plate is particularly significant as it was produced during the 1980s under a collaboration with Rosenthal, the renowned German porcelain firm. This partnership was crucial in reintroducing Fornasetti's work to a global audience following his death, solidifying his status as one of the 20th century's most imaginative and influential designers. The quality of the Rosenthal porcelain provides an ideal canvas for Fornasetti's intricate graphic transfers.

The plate features a distinct printed mark on the reverse: a white print on a black circle reading: Rosenthal/Germany/Fornasetti hand and brush/ Dekor/ Teme E Variazioni/ Motiv 31.

Dimensions: 9 1/4 inches diameter × 1 1/4 inches high (23.50cm diameter).

This rare piece, offered with its original presentation box, is a testament to the enduring power of Fornasetti’s "Tema e Variazioni" series, where a single face launched more than 350 "tickets to travel through the realm of imagination."

(Ref: NY10769-ipa) See less