Vintage chandelier attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.

Vintage disc chandeliers by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, made in Italy in the 1940s. Three finely sculpted and sandblasted glass discs interact with light in contrasting ways, offering a captivating display of brightness and shadow. Crafted from impeccable glass. The polished brass components exhibit perfect clarity. The electrical cables have been renewed by a professional electrician and comply with US standards for compatibility and safety. Pietro Chiesa, a major figure in Italian modernist design, left an indelible mark on the world of artistic glass furniture. Born in Milan in 1892 and died in Paris in 1948, Chiesa began his training at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, followed by an apprenticeship with furniture designer Giovanni Battista Gianotti. Creating his own workshop, the Bottega di Pietro Chiesa, in Milan in 1921, he quickly gained recognition, exhibiting his works at the influential Paris Exhibition of 1925. A key moment was in 1932 when he was invited by Gio Ponti to collaborate with Luigi Fontana SA, a leading manufacturer of artistic glass products in Italy. With Ponti and Luigi Fontana, Chiesa became artistic director, merging his workshop with Fontana SA to form Fontana Arte in 1933. Under his creative direction, Fontana Arte thrived, producing numerous innovative creations embodying excellence in glasswork and modern techniques. Among his iconic creations are the Fontana table in curved clear glass, the Cartoccio vase, and the Luminator floor lamp in lacquered brass. His works combine modernity with classical forms, illustrating a perfect fusion of tradition and innovation. His mastery of colours, particularly deep blue and green, became emblematic of the Fontana Arte aesthetic during his tenure. Through his visionary approach and quest for excellence, Pietro Chiesa left a lasting imprint on Italian design, leaving a rich legacy of timeless creations that continue to inspire and captivate enthusiasts worldwide.