In his role as art director and furniture designer for Italian furniture brand Giorgetti, architect, educator and painter Massimo Scolari spent over a decade producing so many imaginative, sculptural postmodern pieces that it’s easy to lose count. The Novi Ligure native has always had an eye for good design — he is an equally acclaimed painter with works in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and has taught at Harvard University, Cornell University and the University of Cambridge.
In 1969, Scolari completed his studies in architecture and became a professor in 1973. He taught architecture history in Palermo and drawing at Venice’s Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia. From 1975 onward, Scolari was a visiting professor at many of the world’s top universities for nearly three decades while creating numerous installations for the La Biennale di Venezia and Milan Triennial.
Among Scolari’s notable furniture designs are the solid beechwood Spring swivel armchair, which is characterized by organic curves and has a backrest that features ebony insets, as well as the Erasmo and Zeno writing desks. Each piece offers innovative flourishes — the hidden spring in his armchair allows the sitter to lean back comfortably, which lends an unusual level of flexibility to the modern wooden seat, while his sleek writing desks are often outfitted with hidden drawers or secret pull-out compartments.
Scolari has exhibited across the United States. and Europe as well as in Russia and Japan. A retrospective of his work that featured over 100 paintings, drawings and architectural models was staged at the Cooper Union in 2012. For his distinct and creative contributions to architecture, Scolari was awarded the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture by the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York in 2014.
Find vintage Massimo Scolari lighting, tables and seating on 1stDibs.
$4,951Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Blue "PALMARIA 709" 2-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, ITALY 1980
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in DE MEERN, NL
BLUE "PALMARIA 709" 2-SEATER SOFA BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR CASSINA, ITALY 1970S Introducing the stunning Palmaria 709 2-seater sofa by renowned Italian de...
Leather
$11,871 / set
H 72 in W 138 in D 75 in
Zanotta Onda Ensemble Living Room Set Sofa & 2 Armchair Blue Leather
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Zanotta Modell Onda. Design in 1985 from De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi. A italian Classic. It consists a 2seater sofa and 2 armchairs in blue leather. Frame made in Chrom and tubular...
Steel, Chrome
Cassina Veranda Sofa Design Couch Vico Magistretti Stoff blau
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Cassina "Veranda" Zweisitzer in blauem Stoff zum Verkauf an. Das Möbel wurde von Vico Magistretti entworfen und gilt als wahrer Designklassiker. Zusta...
Steel
$12,158 / item
H 26.78 in W 90.56 in D 35.44 in
Katana 3 Seater Sofa in Blue Fabric with Brown Burnished Brass Legs
By Paolo Rizzatto, Ghidini 1961
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In the Katana sofa, Paolo Rizzatto, being the refined and expert designer he is, puts great care in the proportions of the structural elements of the produ...
Fabric
$4,971 / item
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Kepi Sofa in Blue Saint Moritz Upholstery with Cobalt Blue Metal by Emilio Nanni
By EMILIO NANNI
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Kepi sofa’s sober design and vaguely Nordic look are softened by rounded lines that add character and improve comfort. This is the Kepi sofa, featuring complete symmetry with two back cushions and one seat cushion. Its clean design and nonchalant elegance make it perfect for the home and a contract environment. The functional supporting structure is made of tubular stainless steel. Fully removable covers. Emilio Nanni has a degree in Architecture from the University of Florence. He has worked as a lecturer and researcher at the same faculty, and held lessons and workshops at several Italian university faculties and design schools. He is the founder of the Emilio Nanni arch+design ENa+d studio, which handles projects in the fields of architecture, design, interior design, art direction and design consultancy. As an architect he has designed and built residential buildings of various sizes in several Italian cities. He has worked as a designer for many Italian firms, including Billiani/Novecentoundici, Bross, Cabas, Calligaris, LaboratorioPesaro, Lamm, Mdf Italia, Guzzini, Roche Bobois, Saba, Tonelli, Tonon, Valadier Gioielli, Zanotta and Zeritalia. He has participated in many exhibitions and shows in the sector and his work has been featured in articles and critical essays in the leading Italian and international architectural periodicals, magazines, blogs and websites. He is also a painter, who has displayed his work in several solo exhibitions in galleries and museums in Italy and abroad, and his work is featured in various public and private international collections. Structure: In plywood with variable-density polyurethane foam (75IP and 25IM) covered with velfodera coupled with resin 150gr/sqm. Feet: iron painted rod 22mm. Padding: The seat cushion is in variable-density polyurethane foam (40IM and 25IM) covered with fine velvet coupled with dacron 280gr/sqm. The lumbar cushion is made in white 100% cotton fabric and padded with washed and sterilized goose down. Additional information: Material: Polyurethane foam, upholstery, metal Upholstery: Cat. Elite, Saint Moritz...
Upholstery
$3,500 / set
H 39 in W 102 in D 33 in
Mid Century Modern Blue Three Seat Veranda Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Blue Three Seat Veranda Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina - Pair This beautiful original deep blue adjustable 3-seat "Veranda" sofa designed by Vico Magistrett...
Upholstery
$2,435Sale Price|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 64.97 in D 31.5 in
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Minotti, Gigi Radice
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet upholstery and black lacquered metal legs. The upholstery has been redone.
Metal
$27,476 / item
H 39.38 in W 65.36 in D 37.41 in
Vico Magistretti Maralunga Two - Seater Sofa For Cassina
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vico Magistretti Maralunga Two - Seater Sofa For Cassina The encapsulation of design brilliance, business insight and made-in-Italy artisan craftsmanship, this sofa is an international bestseller steeped in timeless beauty and functionality. Its enveloping contours accentuate the comfort of this design sofa, ensured by the chain mechanism (incorporated into the foam cushion) that controls adjustment of the backrest position. The unpretentious innovation of the adjustable headrest and the reassuring appearance and simplicity of the soft padding sum up the singularity of this design by Vico Magistretti. REMOVABLE UPHOLSTERY Maralunga 40...
Fabric
$7,500
H 29 in W 87 in D 33 in
2023 Arik Levy for Bernhardt Design Gaia Three Seat Sofa in Blue Leather
By Bernhardt Design, Arik Levy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gaia Sofa, originally designed by Arik Levy for Bernhardt Design in 2008. This particular example was produced in 2023. Its frame is composed of polished aluminum, and it h...
Aluminum
$16,510 / item
+ 9 moreH 30.71 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Ghidini 1961 Frame Sofa in Cuoio Leather by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Stefano Giovannoni designs Frame for GHIDINI1961, a new collection composed of sofas, armchairs, dining and coffee tables, bookshelves and cabinets. Everything starts from a simple e...
Fabric
Rare Indigo Blue Leather ‘ISU’ Sofa by Shigeru Uchida for Pastoe, 1995
By Pastoe
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and important example of late 20th-century Japanese design, this indigo blue leather ‘ISU’ sofa was designed by Shigeru Uchida in 1995 and produced by Dutch manufacturer Pastoe. Uchida’s minimalist sensibility is beautifully paired with Pastoe’s craftsmanship in a piece that is both sculptural and understated. The sofa features its original indigo blue leather upholstery—a highly uncommon and sought-after colorway—paired with a distinctive black anodized aluminum frame. The monumental aluminum legs emphasize the sofa’s clean lines and low, elegant profile, while the gently curved arms and generous seating reflect Uchida’s refined approach to comfort and proportion. The piece retains its original Pastoe label, confirming authenticity. It is well-preserved with appropriate patina and excellent structural integrity. Works from Uchida’s ISU series seldom surface on the market, especially in this condition, finish, and color. An exceptional acquisition for collectors of Japanese modernism and notable 20th-century furniture, this Uchida for Pastoe ISU...
Aluminum
Sofa D70 in Cuoio Leather by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic design by Osvaldo Borsani, the D70 sofa for Tecno stands as a landmark of Italian mid-century innovation, distinguished by its patented adjustable backrest mechanism and re...
Brass, Steel
Coronado 3- Seater Sofa in Black Leather by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1976
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and highly sought-after Coronado 3-seater sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia and made in 1976, an icon of Italian modern design. The piece is upholstered in black l...
Leather, Beech
Johannes Andersen Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Sofa in Bordeaux leather
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Dronten, NL
Magnificent 3-seater sofa designed by Johannes Andersen in solid rosewood with a concealed steel frame. The advanced design of this rare sofa makes it appear very light and transpar...
Leather, Rosewood
De Sede DS-42 2-Seater Sofa in Natural Bullhide, Switzerland 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Dronten, NL
An icon of brutalist luxury from the Swiss masters of leather. In the 1970s, the Swiss brand De Sede elevated furniture-making to an art form by refusing to compromise on material o...
Leather, Beech
Elba Lunga Chaise by Franco Raggi for Cappellini, Italy, 1980s
By Franco Raggi, Cappellini
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and rare Elba Lunga chaise longue designed by Franco Raggi for Cappellini, Italy, circa 1980s. This striking piece exemplifies Raggi’s poetic approach to postmodern desi...
Stainless Steel
