Nature Dissected: Set of Six Fornasetti "Sezioni Di Frutta" Plates Circa 1960s

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Nature Dissected: Set of Six Fornasetti "Sezioni Di Frutta" Plates
Circa 1960s

A striking set of six porcelain salad plates … Read more Nature Dissected: Set of Six Fornasetti "Sezioni Di Frutta" Plates
Circa 1960s

A striking set of six porcelain salad plates designed by the renowned Piero Fornasetti in the 1960s, featuring his iconic "Sezioni Di Frutta" (Sections of Fruit) pattern.

Each plate serves as a canvas for a bold, trompe-l'œil depiction of a different fruit cut in cross-section, revealing the intricate internal structure of seeds, flesh, and core. The designs are rendered with the precision of 19th-century botanical illustrations but stylized with Fornasetti's signature graphic flair. The set includes a diverse orchard of specimens, including a pear, pomegranate, apple, fig, lemon, and peach (or stone fruit).

Markings: The reverse of each plate bears the definitive marks for this period:

The Fornasetti Milano mark (hand holding a brush).

The series title: "SEZIONI DI FRUTTA" inside a stylized half-fruit graphic.

The specific design numbers for this set: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, & 12.

The green underglaze mark of the German porcelain manufacturer Hutschenreuther Selb, dating the production of the blanks to 1955–1968.

Measurements:
Diameter: 8 1/2 inches (21.6 cm)
Height: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Condition: Excellent vintage condition; transfer prints are crisp and vibrant.

Historical Context:

The Series: The Sezioni Di Frutta series is one of Fornasetti's most celebrated nature-inspired collections. It transforms the mundane subject of fruit into sophisticated graphic art, playing with the concept of "dissecting" nature to reveal its hidden geometry.

The Maker: During the 1950s and 60s, Fornasetti frequently applied his transfers to high-quality porcelain blanks produced by Hutschenreuther in Germany, a collaboration that ensured the durability and whiteness of the porcelain base matched the quality of the lithographic transfer.

Reference: This series is illustrated in Fornasetti: The Complete Universe by Barnaba Fornasetti (page 604, #128).

(Ref: NY11019-lnrx) See less