Made in Italy in the 1950s, this extraordinary tray table by Piero Fornasetti represents one of the highest moments of his decorative production.
Entirely in silk-screened and painted iron, the work depicts a visual encyclopedia of power and history: a grid of heraldic coats of arms of the rulers of the world, each meticulously illustrated with vivid colors and subtle shading, arranged in a regular composition that conveys the idea of a universal catalogue.
The heraldic theme, dear to Fornasetti for its dual symbolic and ornamental nature, is here reinterpreted with irony and graphic precision, blending the language of ancient engraving with the modernity of industrial printing.
Each coat of arms tells a fragment of identity, a territory, a dynasty: together they construct a global, almost utopian vision, where the cartography of power is transformed into total decorative art.
The tray, supported by a light folding wooden structure covered in red velvet and enriched with decorative tassels, combines functionality and theatricality, fully embodying the Fornasettian aesthetic that turns every object into a poetic microcosm.
The patina of time on the metal surface amplifies the charm of a piece that today stands as a rare and precious testimony of Italian design of the 1950s, halfway between art, craftsmanship, and visual culture.
A quintessential collectible object, this tray synthesizes Piero Fornasetti’s ability to create a universe made of encyclopedic curiosity, intellectual irony, and timeless beauty — a celebration of knowledge translated into art form.
The wooden base showed signs of woodworm, which was properly treated by microwave in a specialized center, with documentation and certification provided and included with the piece.
Product Name: Heraldic tray table by Piero Fornasetti 1950
Designer: Piero Fornasetti
Year of Design: 1950s
Style: Mid-century Italian design, decorative and surreal
Main Materials: Silk-screened and painted iron; folding wooden base covered in red velvet with decorative tassels
Distinctive Design: The top depicts a grid of heraldic coats of arms of the rulers of the world, meticulously illustrated with vivid colors and subtle shading. The work combines the graphic precision of ancient engraving with the modernity of industrial printing, creating an encyclopedic and ironic vision of power and history.
Dimensions: Height 52 cm | Length 65.5 cm | Depth 45.5 cm
Comfort: Lightweight and functional thanks to the folding structure, allowing versatile use as a table or decorative tray.
Typical Use: Furnishing and collectible object, ideal as a coffee table or as a scenic element in high-end interiors.
Design Icon: Emblematic example of Piero Fornasetti’s poetics, which transforms the everyday object into an aesthetic and conceptual microcosm, blending art, craftsmanship, and visual culture.
Versatility: Suitable for both classic and contemporary contexts; its strong decorative presence allows integration into eclectic and refined interiors.
Current Condition of the Design: Overall excellent preservation; the wooden base, previously affected by woodworm, has been treated by microwave in a specialized center with relevant documentation and certification included. The metal surface shows a patina of time that enhances its charm and authenticity.
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of time may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchase.
Piero Fornasetti (Milan, 1913–1988) was one of the most original and visionary artists and designers of twentieth-century Italy. A painter, engraver, decorator, and tireless collector of images, he built an unmistakable aesthetic universe where art, craftsmanship, and design coexist in poetic balance. Through recurring motifs such as the enigmatic face of Lina Cavalieri, classical architectures, maps, or musical instruments, Fornasetti transformed everyday objects into works of art, blending graphic rigor and surreal irony. His production, ranging from furniture to plates, from screens to trays, is characterized by artisanal precision and encyclopedic imagination, qualities that still make him an icon of Italian design worldwide today.