Americana Coasters in Porcelain with American Historical Figures by Piero Fornasetti, 1960s, Set of 7

Details

Description

A group of seven porcelain coasters from piero fornasetti’s “americana” series, designed and produced in milan in the 1960s\. Decorated … Read more A group of seven porcelain coasters from piero fornasetti’s “americana” series, designed and produced in milan in the 1960s\. Decorated in black and white with portraits of figures from early american history, each piece bears the original “americana – fornasetti · milano – made in italy” mark, the american flag and individual series numbering on the reverse. The original series comprised eight coasters; this group retains seven, with no. 7 absent.


created during one of the most fascinating periods of piero fornasetti’s production, the americana series brings together the designer’s unmistakably italian graphic imagination and the iconography of american history.
across these seven small porcelain pieces, fornasetti transforms historical portraiture into miniature decorative compositions. The collection portrays franklin, jefferson, general lincoln, washington, paul jones, general wayne and general clinton: personalities associated with the formative and revolutionary era of the united states, interpreted through fornasetti’s extraordinary visual vocabulary.
each figure occupies the center of an elaborate black-and-white composition, surrounded by a remarkably intricate geometric border. The effect recalls an engraved medallion, an antique print or an illustrated historical document, yet the repetition of the border and the uncompromising monochrome palette give the group a distinctly modern graphic rhythm.
look closely and every piece has its own character. Washington is dramatically represented on horseback, while the other personalities emerge through finely articulated portraiture and dense linear detail. Their names become part of the compositions themselves. Seen individually, each coaster reads almost as a miniature graphic portrait; arranged together, the repetition of format, border and palette creates a remarkably coherent collection.
the reverse of each piece is an important part of its identity. The americana inscription appears above the american flag and fornasetti’s characteristic hand-and-brush graphic, together with fornasetti · milano – made in italy and the individual series number.
although originally conceived as functional table accessories, their small scale and exceptionally strong graphic character make them particularly compelling as collectible decorative objects. Displayed together on a wall, as shown in the photographs, the seven pieces become a striking composition in their own right: a meeting between american historical imagery and postwar milanese design, filtered through the singular imagination of piero fornasetti.
the group is preserved in very good vintage condition. The porcelain is intact, with no chips and no evident damage. Only extremely slight and almost imperceptible traces of wear to the glaze can be observed along portions of the outer edges, entirely consistent with age and visible only upon close inspection. The black-and-white decoration remains crisp and exceptionally well preserved.
details: piero fornasetti, fornasetti milano, italy, 1960s. Americana series. Porcelain. Seven coasters. Each approximately 1 cm h × 9.4 cm diameter / 0.4 in h × 3.7 in diameter. Combined weight approximately 385 g / 13.6 oz. Original series numbering and fornasetti milano marks to the reverse. No. 7 is not included. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less