Vintage Piero Fornasetti Astrolabe Plate, # 10 in Astrolabio Series, early 1970's.

Details

Description

Cosmic Calculation: Fornasetti's Gilded Astrolabe Plate No. 10

Object: Decorative Plate, Pattern No. 10 from the Astrolabio Series
Origin: Designed … Read more Cosmic Calculation: Fornasetti's Gilded Astrolabe Plate No. 10

Object: Decorative Plate, Pattern No. 10 from the Astrolabio Series
Origin: Designed by Piero Fornasetti (Milan, Italy)
Date: Circa 1960s–mid 1970s
Medium: Porcelain, Transfer Printed and Gilt

Dimensions: 8 1/4 inches diameter x 1 inch high (20.96 cm x 2.54 cm).

This stunning plate is a quintessential work by Piero Fornasetti, celebrating the intersection of mathematics, astronomy, and classical design. It features a detailed rendition of an astrolabe—an elaborate historical instrument used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers for locating and predicting the positions of celestial bodies, determining local time, and casting horoscopes.

Design and Symbolism

The plate’s surface is dominated by the intricate geometric network of the astrolabe, executed in crisp black and white transfer print. The design is set against a brilliant gilt ground border, which emphasizes its preciousness and timeless quality. Above the central motif, a ribbon bears the Latin inscription, "Ad Sciendum Quota Sit Hora Correspondens Horologis" (To know the corresponding hour of the clock), perfectly capturing the instrument's function as a celestial timekeeper.

By rendering this complex scientific tool on an everyday object like a plate, Fornasetti subverts its serious function, turning a calculating device into a piece of decorative surrealism. This particular piece, marked as No. 10 in the Astrolabio series, reflects the artist’s belief in incorporating intellectual themes into the domestic environment.

Historical Context: The Revival of Classicism

Fornasetti frequently drew from historical engravings of scientific and architectural objects, transforming them into his own visual language. The astrolabe motif connects the plate directly to the Renaissance and the Islamic Golden Age, periods when the instrument was central to global navigation and scientific inquiry. In the mid-20th century, Fornasetti revived these classical and often overlooked forms, ensuring their graphic power continued to resonate within the modern design world.

Potential References

Fornasetti, Barnaba (ed.): Fornasetti: The Complete Universe (General context for the Astrolabio series).

Collection Focus: The Victoria & Albert Museum, London holds a similar Astroglobe plate (Museum # C.63-1985), indicating the importance of this series in decorative arts collections.

General Context: The Astrolabe: Its History and Uses (Various texts detailing the function and history of the instrument).

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