Why Fornasetti?
I intuitively gravitated towards him; there’s an irresistible spirit in each of his works. Fornasetti had this amazing imagination, and his works are whimsical, humorous, playful, fantastical…I find them hard to resist!
A group of seven ashtrays, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand painted ceramic. Largest 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) high, 9 ¾ in. (24.7 cm.) wide. Estimate: $800-1,200. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
Do you remember the first time you saw a Fornasetti?
I remember it very well: I was walking around a Christie’s Interiors sale with my fabulous interior designer Lucien Rees Roberts and we stopped to look at a low, round coffee table, which had string instruments all over the top of it. I’d never seen anything quite like it. Though I didn’t know it was by him at the time, it’s an image that stayed in my mind.
Claire Weiss-Creatore and Luigi Creatore in their New York City home
And when did you buy your first piece?
Well, I forgot all about the table until, one day, I was walking with Lucien again, and, in an antiques shop, saw a small pebble shaped object. At the time, I didn’t know it was a paperweight — I was just so intrigued that, on a whim, I decided to buy it. I slipped it in my pocket and took it home. That was the beginning!
A group of ten table objects, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated, hand-painted and gilded ceramic, comprising a. Dish, five ashtrays, two pencil holders, a calendar paperweight, and a ‘Piede Romano’ cigarette holder. Dish: 6⅞in. (17.5 cm) square. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy. Estimate: $1,500-2,500. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
How did your collection expand?
You know, I can’t really even tell you. Fornasetti just got under my skin, and I was trying to see things by him wherever I could — whether it was in a shop, or on the internet. Every new piece I found was as intriguing and amusing as the last; I was very quickly addicted.
‘Astronomici’, a group of eight plates, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 10¼in. (26cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy. Estimate: $1,000-1,500. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
It’s something of a love affair with Fornasetti?
Definitely, definitely! (Laughs). It’s a total love affair. My husband always says I’m obsessed with him, and I always say I’m not — but I’m certainly addicted. It’s hard not to be addicted to joy and delight.
Dining table set with Fornasetti place settings: ‘Astronomici’, a group of eight plates, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 10¼in. (26cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy. Estimate: $1,000-1,500. Detail from ‘Segni Dello Zodiaco’, a group of thirteen plates, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 8⅜in. (21.3cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy, ‘Gli influssi astrali- se rie specialmente creata da Piero Fornasetti per Corisia’. Estimate: $1,500-2,500. ‘Le Parrucche’, a group of eight coasters, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 4in. (10.2cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy, ‘Le Parrucche’. Estimate: $400-600. These pieces are offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
Did you ever get the chance to meet the artist?
I’m sorry to say I didn’t, though I would have loved to. In many ways, over the 15 years I’ve collected him, I feel like I‘ve come to know him. I’ve followed his creative mind and seen what intrigues him.
‘Le Parrucche’, a group of eight coasters, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 4in. (10.2cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy, ‘Le Parrucche’. Estimate: $400-600. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
Do you have a favourite piece?
I have many, and there are certainly some that I think are sublime as well as witty. The Zodiac plates are, I think, just gorgeous beyond words, and I think the Astrolabio plates are just amazing — I could feast my eyes on them forever.
Gio Ponti described Fornasetti as having a ‘sly sweetness’. It’s my very favourite description of him, because his work is exactly that — this sly, sweet mix that is absolutely captivating.
A group of three ‘Flowers & Newsprint’ plates, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 10½in. (26.6cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy. Estimate: $300-500. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
Your collection was displayed throughout your home. How do you think Fornasetti’s are best displayed?
They’re works that sit well anywhere. They’re so distinctive, and people gravitate immediately towards them; I can’t imagine there’s any place they wouldn’t look right.
They also make such wonderful gifts for your favourite people. When, after 30 years of being together, Lucien Rees Roberts — who introduced me to Fornasetti — married Steven Harris, my architect, a set of Astrolabia plates seemed like a gift that met the occasion.
‘Ne sont tous chevaliers qui sur cheval montent’, a group of eight coasters, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Each 4in. (10.2cm.) diameter. With printed retailer’s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy, ‘Ne Sont Tous Chevaliers Qui Sur Cheval Montent’. Estimate: $400-600. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
Why has the time come to sell your collection?
To tell you the truth I’m downsizing, and attempting to overcome my collecting obsession! I don’t think it will last, but I’m trying very hard (laughs).
I must say, collecting Fornasetti has been just the most delightful experience, because of the joy and beauty in each piece — I think it’s time to recycle the pleasure.
Main image at top: Pieces from A group of seven ashtrays, 1950s. Lithographically-decorated and hand painted ceramic. Largest 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) high, 9 ¾ in. (24.7 cm.) wide. Estimate: $800-1,200; and ‘Cammei’, a group of three plates and two bowls, 1960s. Lithographically-decorated and hand-painted ceramic. Plate: 8 ¾ in. (22 cm.) square. With printed retailer‘s label Fornasetti, Milano, Made in Italy. Estimate: $300-500. This piece is offered in Piero Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Online, 17-29 March
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