The Golden Maiden: Fornasetti's "Gli Influssi Astrali" Virgo Plate

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The Golden Maiden: Fornasetti's "Gli Influssi Astrali" Virgo Plate

A spectacular piece of highly collectible mid-century design: a porcelain plate … Read more The Golden Maiden: Fornasetti's "Gli Influssi Astrali" Virgo Plate

A spectacular piece of highly collectible mid-century design: a porcelain plate by Piero Fornasetti featuring the astrological sign Virgo. Part of the exclusive "Gli Influssi Astrali" (Astral Influences) series, this plate was specially created for the Italian company Corisia in 1969 and is Number 6 in the twelve-plate collection.

Dimensions: 8 1/4 inches diameter x 1 1/2 inches high (21 cm diameter x 3.81 cm high)

Design and Detail:

The plate is an arresting composition in luminous black and gold gilt. It depicts the classical representation of Virgo as a young, kneeling nude woman, often associated with the goddess of the harvest. She is gracefully positioned beside a small fawn. The design is intricately intertwined with elaborate, flowing script that spells out the characteristics and attributes of the sign, including:

The name VIRGO in bold black letters.

Astrological data such as the stone (Pietra!: Crisolito) and personality traits (Diritto: Mallicenza and Qualita!: Organizzarione).

The heavy use of gold against the white porcelain and black linework gives the piece an opulent, almost illuminated manuscript quality.

Historical Context: Mid-Century Occultism and Corporate Art

This plate is a significant example of Piero Fornasetti’s (1913-1988) work from the 1960s, a time when interest in the Zodiac and esoteric themes was spiking. The commission by Corisia (running from 1964 to 1975) demonstrates Fornasetti’s status as the Italian designer of choice for special, high-end corporate promotions.

The mark on the reverse is highly informative: white text within a gold roundel reads: "Gli/Influssi/Astrali - Se/rie Specialmen/Te Creata Da/Piero Fornasetti/Por/Corisia/1969 N 6." This documentation not only dates the plate but confirms its place in the limited-edition series, making it a desirable piece for collectors of Fornasetti's highly imaginative and richly decorated works.

(Ref: NY10347-nur) See less