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Variation Plate, Number 217
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Fornasetti Porcelain Themes
Variation Plate, Number 217
$750
£571.72
€653.15
CA$1,055.36
A$1,155.94
CHF 608.60
MX$13,795.78
NOK 7,756.11
SEK 7,090.25
DKK 4,880.78
About the Item
"The Gorgon Muse": Fornasetti "Themes
Variations" Plate #217 (Medusa)
A dramatic and highly collectible porcelain wall plate from the celebrated "Themes
Variations" (Tema e Variazioni) series by Atelier Fornasetti.
This striking variation, identified as Number 217 in the series, reimagines Piero Fornasetti’s eternal muse, Lina Cavalieri, as the mythological figure Medusa. While Cavalieri’s face retains its signature serene and hypnotic expression, her hair is transformed into a writhing, chaotic mass of snakes that coil around her head and frame her chin. The design is a brilliant play on the "femme fatale" archetype, juxtaposing the operatic beauty of the subject with the terrifying power of the Gorgon. The graphic black and white transfer print ensures the intricate details of the serpents are rendered with razor-sharp precision.
Markings:
Reverse: Bears the standard Fornasetti mark (eye, hand, and brush logo) inscribed Tema e Variazioni / Fornasetti Milano / Made in Italy over a green circle with Arzburg for the maker of the porcelain blank.
Number: Hand-numbered or printed 217 (referencing the specific variation).
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or surface wear to the transfer print.
Measurements:
Diameter: 10 1/4 inches (26.0 cm)
Height: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Historical Context:
Piero Fornasetti was deeply influenced by Greek and Roman mythology, often subverting classical imagery with surrealist wit. By casting Lina Cavalieri as Medusa—the woman whose gaze turned men to stone—Fornasetti creates a visual pun on the transfixing power of beauty. This particular variation is a favorite among collectors for its bold graphic quality and its direct reference to classical antiquity.
About the "Themes
Variations" Series:
The "Themes
Variations" (Tema e Variazioni) series is arguably Piero Fornasetti’s most famous and enduring artistic legacy. The series began in 1952 after Fornasetti stumbled upon the face of Lina Cavalieri, a 19th-century operatic soprano and celebrated beauty, in an old French magazine. Captivated by her classically perfect, enigmatic features, he adopted her visage as his ultimate muse and archetype. Over the course of his life, he obsessively reimagined her face in more than 350 distinct variations—transforming her into everything from a sun, a thief, and a clock, to surreal objects like the "Medusa" seen here. As Fornasetti famously explained, "I began to make them and I never stopped," proving that a single idea could provide endless creative possibilities.
(Ref: NY10978-crn)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Diameter: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1990s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Downingtown, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: NY10978-crn1stDibs: LU861048051222
About the Seller
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