One of the most enigmatic and polarizing figures to emerge in Italian design, Aldo Tura is an outlier in the world of mid-century furniture. The designer’s glamorous bar carts, coffee tables, cabinets and more resist categorization and draw inspiration from Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Baroque, Surrealist and modernist styles.
Tura moved through distinct phases in his career in terms of aesthetics, influences and finishes, rendering his life’s work exciting and diverse. Despite these phases, he held a singular devotion to one material: lacquered goatskin. Tura established a furniture production house in 1939 in Lombardy, and some of his early work focused on tables, decorative lamps and more. He later expanded to bar furnishings like rolling carts, cabinets and complementary barware accessories like ice buckets and cocktail shakers. The eccentric, gleaming and luxe surface of lacquered goatskin was a constant, along with eggshell, parchment and leather.
By the 1950s, Tura had begun to use hand-painted figural panels on the surface of cabinets, serveware (such as carafes) and other pieces. He even replicated famous works by artists like Monet and Bruegel the Elder and art from the Middle Ages, sometimes playfully embedding the paintings on cabinets shaped like oversize books. Even though he had a favored color palette of rich chocolate browns and deep emeralds, his style remained consistently hard to define.
Tura was unlike most of his Italian contemporaries but held a similar reverence for the nation’s traditional craftsmanship and artisanal techniques. He never followed the growing trend of mass-produced, industrial furniture and stuck to creating small, meticulously handcrafted collections. This principled choice means that today, a Tura piece is a rare and highly coveted collectible. The Tura firm continues to operate in Brianza, promoting Italian craftsmanship and the eclectic materials embraced by their namesake designer.
Find authentic vintage Aldo Tura furniture today on 1stDibs.
Aldo Tura Style vanity Box in lucite with dry tabaco leaves, 1970's
By Aldo Tura
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite 1970s Italian box adorned with dry tobacco leaves, crafted in the distinctive style of Aldo Tura. This unique objet d’art exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a st...
Lucite
Aldo Tura Parchment Jewelry Box
By Aldo Tura
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in lacquered parchment and wood by Aldo Tura. Italy, circa 1960s.
Parchment Paper
Vintage wooden Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vintage wooden box possibly oak is perfect for trinkets or Jewelry. It has slidable and removable compartments. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Condition as p...
Wood
Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Chrome Box
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant cigar box in lacquered goatskin. This box was executed, circa 1960 in light green parchment with chrome parts. Very good vintage condition. Along with artists like Piero Forn...
Goatskin
Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese wooden jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque centrally placed on the lid, inside a pink/fuchsia lining with gold floral decoration, second half of the 20th ce...
Jade, Brass
$816
H 1.97 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Midcentury Box in Red Goatskin and Chrome Attributed to Aldo Tura Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful squared box in red goatskin, wood and chrome details attributed to the Italian designer Aldo Tura. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
Platinum Jewelry Box
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This excellent example of masterful artisanal craftsmanship will be a precious functional object of decor, providing a useful storage place for jewelry, while also being a striking b...
Leather, Walnut
Crystal Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A crystal jewelry box with a diamond 'quilted' design, circa late 20th century. Nice for jewelry or other small items on a desk, vanity, dresser,...
Crystal
$548
H 2.96 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Cube Box in Lucite Alessandro Albrizzi Style, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in Rome, IT
Cubic box in purple and transparent Lucite in the style of Alessandro Albrizzi, Italy, circa 1970.
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Men's Midcentury Jewelry Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a men's sterling silver jewelry box. It is from the 1950s and has that Classic Midcentury look; sleek and Minimalist. The inside is wood that we have had restrained ...
Sterling Silver
Joy Jewelry Box
By Cassigoli
Located in Milan, IT
A refined gift to an elegant woman or a stunning addition to a personal collection, this jewelry box is a special piece of functional decor that stores precious items, while displayi...
Leather, Wood
$235Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in
Aldo Tura Box Ice Goatsking Brown Italian Mid-Century Modern Design 1950s Cube
By Aldo Tura
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Aldo Tura box ice goatsking brown Italian Mid-Century Modern design 1950s cube.
Metal
Huge Aldo Tura Square Goatskin Ice Bucket
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Aldo Tura brown parchment square ice bucket or decorate box. This particular ice bucket was executed in the 1970s and is in excellent vinta...
Chrome
Aldo Tura Goatskin Parchment On Wood Box, Italy 1950s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Aldo Tura Box In Mixed Colored Goatskin Parchment on Wood. Made in Italy Inscription Italy 1950s
Goatskin, Parchment Paper, Wood
Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Parchment and Brass Box, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Parchment and Brass Box, Original Aldo Tura Label Italy 1960s
Brass
Sold
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
1950s Aldo Tura Mid-Century Modern Red Goatskin and Brass Jewelry Box
By Atelier Tura, Aldo Tura
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An elegant Mid-Century Modern red goatskin and wood jewelry box in excellent condition, it has been designed in Italy in the Sixties by Aldo Tura and manufactured by Atelier Tura in ...
Goatskin, Fruitwood
Elegant Aldo Tura Purple Goatskin Jewelry Treasure Box
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning piece for your jewelry or for your favourite small treasures, inside green velvet in very good vintage condition. Along with artists like Piero Fornasetti and Carlo Bugat...
Brass
Jewellery Box by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Greding, DE
Small box with rounded lid and brass handles. The interior is laid out in velvet and fitted with shelves. Outside covered with red coloured goatskin and clear varnish and printed wit...
Brass
Aldo Tura Cream Goatskin Treasure Box, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful small treasure box for your jewelry or for your favourite small treasures, inside green velvet in very good vintage condition.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Box by Aldo Tura, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Offered by Amsterdam Modernism: Rare and stunning Mid-Century Modern jewelry box by Aldo Tura. Elegant Italian design from the 1960s. Lacquered goatskin...
Brass
Elegant Aldo Tura Red Goatskin Treasure Jewelry Box
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful small treasure box with a key for your jewelry or for your favorite small treasures, inside blue velvet in very good vintage condition.
Brass