Piero Fornasetti "Solo" Sunburst Trinket Dish

Details

Description

Golden Radiance: Piero Fornasetti "Solo" Sunburst Trinket Dish
1960s

A striking piece of mid-century inspired design, this Vintage Piero Fornasetti … Read more Golden Radiance: Piero Fornasetti "Solo" Sunburst Trinket Dish
1960s

A striking piece of mid-century inspired design, this Vintage Piero Fornasetti circular ceramic dish in the Sun Burst "Solo Pattern" is a classic example of the designer’s signature motifs. Although the design originated in the 1950s, this piece is from the Late 20th Century production, continuing Fornasetti's imaginative legacy.

Design and Motif

The dish features an intense, hypnotic sun burst motif executed in high-contrast black and white at its center. This recurring "Sole" (Sun) theme is one of the most recognizable in Fornasetti’s vast decorative vocabulary, representing themes of celestial bodies, energy, and cosmic perspective.

The graphic center is dramatically framed by a wide, meticulously painted gold border, which contrasts sharply with the plain white sides of the dish. This fusion of bold, graphic black-and-white print and luxurious gold detailing encapsulates the refined theatricality of Fornasetti's style, which found a popular audience in the latter half of the 20th century.

Historical Context and Function

Fornasetti was prolific in creating small, functional ceramic objects, such as this dish, which were designed to serve variously as ashtrays, coin catchers, or jewelry holders (vide poches). This particular form was first produced in the 1950s and 1960s, with Fornasetti ultimately creating 244 different designs on this singular shape.

This later production piece attests to the enduring appeal of Fornasetti’s work. The Solo Pattern, like his Tema e Variazioni series, demonstrates his practice of endlessly exploring and iterating upon a finite set of powerful, symbolic images.

Dimensions: 5 inches Diameter × 1 3/8 inches Height.

Marking: The reverse of the dish bears the Fornasetti brush and hand logo, with below Fornasetti/Made in Italy. Milano and workman's MR in gold.

(Ref: NY10943-nrpx) See less