Piero Fornasetti Pottery Fish Plate, Passata De Pesce (Passage of Fish) or Pesci. #6,

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Single File, Please: Fornasetti's Captivating "Passage of Fish" Plate #6

Artist: Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988)
Pattern: "Passata de pesce" (Passage … Read more Single File, Please: Fornasetti's Captivating "Passage of Fish" Plate #6

Artist: Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988)
Pattern: "Passata de pesce" (Passage of Fish) or "Pesci," plate #6
Period: Circa 1960s

This charming piece of Italian design is a single example from one of Piero Fornasetti's most beloved series, the "Pesci" (Fish) or "Passata de pesce" (Passage of Fish) pattern. Numbered #6, this earthenware pottery plate dates to the Circa 1960s and represents the designer's ingenious way of turning a simple, functional object into a piece of graphic art.

The Illusion of Movement
As with the entire series, the magic of this plate lies in its visual effect: a dense, swirling school of beautifully rendered fish appears to be swimming right across the ceramic surface. Fornasetti, who masterfully used detailed lithographic transfers on porcelain and pottery, achieves a lifelike quality here, making the static plate feel dynamic and alive.

The plate's marking, Pesci, confirms its identity as one of the earlier examples of this sought-after design. This focus on realistic natural history illustration—repeated, organized, and slightly surreal in its context—is a signature element of Fornasetti's style.

Historical Context: Fornasetti and the Mid-Century Aesthetic
Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988) was not just a designer; he was a poetic illusionist. In mid-century Italy, while many designers were stripping away decoration in the name of purity and function, Fornasetti collaborated with architect Gio Ponti to bring wit, whimsy, and narrative back into the home.

Antidote to Austerity: Fornasetti believed objects should "bring a smile to the user." His work, including this Pesci series, served as a delightful contrast to the severe minimalism of the era, offering richness and surprise.

The Power of Repetition: His most famous motifs (like the face of Lina Cavalieri) and these schools of fish demonstrate his fascination with repeating a single, perfect image. This plate isolates a moment in the "passage" of the fish, making the viewer feel as though they have paused a frame from an underwater film.

Measuring 9 1/4 inches in diameter, Plate #6 is a marvelous collectible that embodies the sophistication, craftsmanship, and playful spirit of post-war Italian design.

Reference: Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Patrick Mauriès, page 264, #164.

(Ref: NY8790A-ikc) See less