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.
Ignazio Gardella Nickel on Brass Ashtray for Azucena, Italy 1950s
By Azucena, Ignazio Gardella
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Architect Ignazio Gardella Nickel on Brass Ashtray for Azucena. Reference: Domus 337, 1957 Italy 1950s
Brass, Nickel
Azucena Apendiabiti Brass Iron 1950 Italy
By Azucena
Located in Milano, IT
Azucena Apendiabiti.
Brass
Ashtray vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Ashtray vienna around 1950s Original condition Original patina
Brass
Aldo Tura Faux Malachite Ice Bucket with Brass Rings, Italy, 1970s
By Aldo Tura
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Tura faux malachite ice bucket with brass rings and brass rim detail under lid, Italy, 1970s. This stylish malachite ice bucket is well-made ...
Brass
$9,050Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 66.5 in W 14 in D 10.75 in
Arthur Umanoff Iron Room Dividers w 140 Leather Wine Bottle Holders, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ultimate entertaining piece, this Arthur Umanoff four section wine rack system and room divider which also incorporates an artful array of one hundred forty leather wine bottle holders, two wicker baskets, ten butcher block wooden shelves, and all contained within four individual black iron frames, this magnificent room divider or wall unit is the ideal companion to any entertainment home or creative studio. Designed in 1954 by Arthur Umanoff and produced in low quantities by Shaver Howard throughout the late 1950s, this collector's item works equally wonderfully as a room divider or against a wall, it can be placed together in one continuous unit, angled for a corner, or separated - the four individual sections can be scattered throughout a room, home or office. Consider the many ways you can use this fantastic Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard room divider wall unit. Whether placed to divide a room or against a wall, this sizable piece can hold a large collection of wine, up to 140 bottles in the leather bottle holders that are have style similarities as designs from Jacques Adnet, 2 wicker baskets in the style of Franco Albini can hold drink accessories, glassware and tools, and the 10 wooden butcher block shelves can hold bottles of liquor, trays with condiments and mixers, recipe books...
Iron
Mid-Century Italian Alabaster Ashtray, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Italian alabaster ashtray, 1950s It belonged to my grandfather, it is intact and in good condition. Factory seal.
Alabaster
$941
H 3.55 in W 5.44 in D 2.68 in
Rare Walter Bosse for Herta Baller Brass Fish Sculpture Ashtray. Austria, 1950s.
By Herta Baller, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Walter Bosse, Richard Rohac, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Malmö, SE
Large and rare fish sculpture / ashtray / bowl in solid brass. Designed by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller in Vienna, Austria, 1950s. Great original condition, with amazing patina. ...
Metal, Brass
Italian Brass and Brushed Steel Two Tier Bar Cart
By Maison Jansen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s Italian two tier bar cart. Constructed of brass and brushed steel with mirror framed glass shelves. This is in beautiful vintage condition. Measurements: 34.5”...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Red and Translucent Murano Glass Bowl, Italy, 1950s
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Red and translucent Murano glass bowl. Italy, 1950s. Colors: rouge & gold. What is Murano Glass? Is it glass made in a special place? Or made using special techniques? It is actu...
Glass
Vintage Onyx Ashtray, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Adorable vintage onyx ashtray made in Italy in the 1950s. Good vintage condition. The original label has been partially preserved Dimensions: Width: 10.5 cm / 4.1 inches Height: 3 c...
Stone
$1,295
H 14.5 in W 12.375 in D 11.375 in
Aldo Tura Purple Dyed Goatskin and Brass Cocktail Set, Italy, 1970
By Aldo Tura
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970's Aldo Tura cocktail set with carrier, ice bucket, and cocktail shaker in purple dyed goat skin, metal, and brass. Tura focused almost excl...
Brass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.88 in W 5.38 in D 5.5 in
Werkstätte Hagenauer Modernist Brass Ashtray / Bowl, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Werkstätte Hagenauer Modernist Brass Ashtray / Bowl, Austria, 1950s.
Brass
Vintage Fly Ashtray in Brass, 1950s
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and decorative ashtray in solid brass, circa 1950.
Brass
$787Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 17.72 in
1970s Large Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo and Brass Bowl or Dish
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large circular Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Crespi style round bowl or dish made in Italy, circa 1970s. Made of weaved / woven rattan / wicker and bamboo with a patinated brass rim ...
Brass
Monumental Azucena 1950s Three Tier Brass Cake Stand
By Azucena
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Azucena 1950s Three-Tier Brass Cake Stand. It can also be used as a dish holder. New Old Stock Azucena
Brass
Azucena ashtray 1950s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant column ashtray designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni and produced by Azucena in the 1950s made of enameled metal and brass.
Metal, Brass