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.
20th Century, Corrado Corradi dell'Acqua for Azucena Photo Frame Structure
By Azucena, Corrado Corradi Dell'acqua
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Founded in 1947 by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Ignazio Gardella, and Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua, the Italian brand Azucena has always stood out for its collections that combine formal el...
Brass
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Wood
A wood catchall mid-20th century French folk art
By Alexandre Noll
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A remarkable catchall, emblematic of mid-20th century French folk art, stands out for its ingenious use of half a fruit tree trunk, likely from a cherry tree. This particular trunk s...
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Balinese Barong Wood Carved Ornament
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A Balinese "Barong" carving darting to the early 20th century. This piece features red polychrome and wood carved detailing. The Barong is a Balinese spirit guardian...
Wood
French Early 20th Century Leather Horse Sculpture
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome early 20th century French Leather Horse Sculpture. Beautifully poised in a rearing position. Wonderful patina. A terrifi...
Leather
20th Century French Bronze Abstract Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century French bronze abstract sculpture, signed near the base. Cast in solid bronze and finished with a richly variegated verdigris patina, the work is composed of intersecti...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Scratch Built Church Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built Church model We share what we love, and we love this scratch-built pine model of a church. Hand carved detail with gla...
Pine
American Mid-20th Century Folk Art Rooster Bootscrape
Located in Chicago, IL
Full of charm and personality, this mid-20th century American iron bootscrape takes the form of a cheeky rooster—one foot lifted mid-strut, tail feathers slightly ruffled, and a know...
Iron
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...
Wood
Mid 20th Century Folk Art Cowboy Rodeo Whirligig
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid 20th century Folk Art cowboy Rodeo Whirligig, circa 1940s to 50s, comprising four carved and painted cowboys mounted on horseback riding in a circle a...
Copper
20th Century English Carved Oak Pear with Mouse
Located in Chicago, IL
At first glance, it’s disarming. A hand carved oak pear, modest in scale, almost naive in its simplicity. Turn it, and the narrative shifts. Nestled into its reverse is a small carve...
Oak
20th Century American Folk Art Carved Stop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century American Folk Art hand-carved and painted wood stop sign mounted on a custom steel stand.
Wood, Paint
Important 20th Century Wooden Sculpture Female Nude '40s
Located in Manzano, IT
Fine monumental sculpture in solid monoxyl wood (carved from a single log), dating from the mid-20th century 1940. The work depicts a standing female figure, inspired by the classic...
Nutwood