Vintage Azucena furniture is elegant and inviting — the esteemed mid-century Milanese manufacturer’s wall lights, armchairs and side tables, which are marked by simple symmetry and thoughtfully contrasting materials, can likely be found in the living rooms of design lovers all over Italy.
Azucena was founded in 1947 by three leading figures of 20th-century Italian architecture: Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Ignazio Gardella and Corrado Corradi Dell’Acqua. The trio initially established Azucena in order to furnish the interiors of buildings they’d designed but found a robust business opportunity in manufacturing individual pieces from those collections for postwar consumers. And as the company founders borrowed the brand name from a conniving character in the Giuseppe Verd opera Il Trovatore, it is appropriate, then, that the furniture for which Azucena is known is practical but exudes a hint of playfulness.
The best of Italian modernism combines cheekiness and bold functionality with provocative and thoughtful design, and Azucena is deeply rooted in that tradition. While its brass-and-walnut mid-century-modern-era dining tables and stackable coffee tables — created by the likes of Dell’Acqua and Vico Magistretti — are exceptionally unobtrusive in small spaces and framed in clean lines, Dominioni designed chunky, enveloping armchairs during the 1970s upholstered in striking red fabric.
Among Azucena's most successful and iconic designs is also Dominioni's most famous piece of furniture: the minimalist Catalina chair. After it debuted at the Milan Triennial in 1957, the Catalina chair, with its generously curving enameled steel frame and plush leather cushion, became an instant sensation. Dominioni’s other enduring designs for Azucena include the Monachella lamp, the ABCD armchair and the versatile Cilindro ottoman.
Italian furniture manufacturer B&B Italia acquired Azucena in 2018 and has reissued a number of designs from the legendary brand’s portfolio, such as the Imbuto lamp, the Catalina armchair and the Cavalletto table.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Azucena lighting, tables, seating and more.
Sipario Light-Brown Armchair by Lorenza Bozzoli
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated armchair boasts a bold and compact silhouette, marked by plump volumes richly stuffed to guarantee utmost comfort. The prized upholstery in brown leather flaunts a...
Leather
$2,978 / item
H 31.11 in W 25.99 in D 24.81 in
1960s "896" Vico Magistretti Cassina Italian Design Armchair
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brescia, IT
Ice white leatherette and wood legs Rare model Excellent condiction.
Wood
Sipario Brown Armchair by Lorenza Bozzoli
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Milan, IT
The curtain ("sipario" in Italian) closing at the end of a show inspired designer Lorenza Bozzoli for this superb armchair, distinguished by a creased texture along the inner side of...
Leather
Brown Helmut Armchair by Arturo Verástegui
By Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Helmut armchair by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 72 x W 76 x H 70 cm Materials: walnut wood, leather. Armchair made of solid holm walnut, leather. Arturo Verástegui has bee...
Leather, Walnut
Molteni & C “Doda” Armchair in Pale Walnut-Brown Leather
By Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a superb, beautifully-presented example of the iconic “Doda” Rotating/Swivel Armchair in a stunning Pale Walnut Leather, manufactured by the leading Ital...
Hide
Christian Liaigre Barbuda Armchair in Brown Leather
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully aged Christian Liaigre Barbuda brown leather armchair. Elegant silhouette. This is not the same as the dining chair model. Please see dimensions. Wonderful for a livi...
Leather
$3,014 / item
H 33.08 in W 21.26 in D 20.87 in
Zanotta Lea Armchair in Brown Cowhide Seat & Legs with Aluminium Frame
By Roberto Barbieri, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Lea Armchair in Brown Cowhide Seat & Legs with Aluminium Frame by Roberto Barbieri Aluminum alloy frame. Seat, back and armrests upholstered in polyurethane. Fixed interna...
Cowhide
$4,948 / item
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
PIERA Armchair with Brown Leather in Solid Walnut with Brass Tips
By Fratelli Boffi
Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza
Meet Piera, where timeless elegance meets modern comfort. Inspired by the grace of room chairs from a bygone era, Piera's sinuous and sensual shapes are a nod to the past, while its ...
Brass
$8,791 / item
H 29.53 in W 31.89 in D 27.96 in
Arflex Algon Low Back Armchair in Brown Perla Leather by Luca Nichetto
By Arflex, Luca Nichetto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Algon lounge Chair was developed together with the Algon Chair, melding Scandinavian simplicity with a patterned quilted upholstery. Contrary to the Algon Chair, that has a strict formality, the Algon lounge chair has high sides, that allow for a sense of privacy, perfect for hushed late-night conversations or a solitary moment...
Leather
$7,696
H 25.99 in W 24.02 in D 25.99 in
Flexform Feel Good Armchair by Antonio Citterio, Leather and Walnut Base
By Antonio Citterio, Flexform
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Feel Good Armchair is known for its timeless, classic, and contemporary design. This model is a medium brown soft Nabuk leather and has a wooden base with feet in canaletto walnu...
Leather, Walnut
