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.
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena Italian Walnut Credenza Server
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena Italian Walnut Credenza Server This credenza server measures: 51 wide x 19.75 deep x 35.5 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting...
Walnut
Italian 1970's Walnut Credenza / Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Italian 1970's walnut and satinwood credenza featuring stunning design variations in the woods to create a magnificent graphic motif. The mid-section consists of two d...
Satinwood, Walnut
$4,302
H 49.22 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Rare "Seven" Credenza by Luigi Saccardo for Gasparello, Italy, 1970s
By Luigi Saccardo, Gasparello Arredamento Contemporaneo
Located in Milan, IT
Rare "Seven" credenza by Luigi Saccardo for Gasparello. Capable totemic unit with chest of drawers on top.
Wood
MB3 credenza by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena, 1963
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A sideboard, "MB3" model, manufactured by AZUCENA, 1961. Maple wood veneered wood polished with polyester and chrome-platead brass, with a manufacturer's metal label. The sideboard ...
Metal
MB3 nightstand by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena, 1963
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A sideboard, "MB3" model, manufactured by AZUCENA, 1961. Maple wood veneered wood polished with polyester and chrome-platead brass, with a manufacturer's metal label. The sideboard i...
Metal
English Breakfront Server/Credenza
Located in Woodbury, CT
Made for us in England by a cabinetmaker with whom we have been working for over 30 years, this quality break front server/credenza features four drawers over four raised panel doors that conceal cupboards with a bisecting single shelf. Made in mahogany with rich flame mahogany used for...
Mahogany
Italian Bleached Walnut Credenza
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C Italian bleached walnut credenza. 1820. Dimensions 55 inches (140 cms) wide 15 inches (38 cms) deep 36 inches (91 cms) high...
Walnut
Luigi Caccia Dominioni Chests, Italy c1950s
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chests by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, disciplined Italian architect-designer. Drawers with integrated pulls carved into the fronts. Sourced in Milan, Italy. Dimensions: 39.5"w x...
Mahogany
Cabinet by Luigi Cacchia Dominioni, 1961
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautifully crafted cabinet was designed in 1961 by the Italian architect, designer and urban planner Luigi Cacchia Dominioni. Made of walnut with brass edges and black lacquered recessed handles...
Brass
$3,800
H 32 in W 50 in D 19 in
Exposed Sculptural Legs Walnut Three Drawers Two Doors Credenza Server Sideboard
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Tomlinson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century exposed sculptural legs walnut three drawers two doors credenza server sideboard cabinet with caned front doors.
Walnut
$7,500 / item
H 53.25 in W 18 in D 78 in
Cambre Credenza, Modern Walnut Credenza, Black, 2 Drawers, for Craft Associates
By Laura Trenchard, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Cambre Credenza, modern Walnut Credenza, black, 2 drawers, for Craft Associates This modern teak credenza from the Cambre Collection for Craft Assoc...
Walnut
Italian Baroque Walnut Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
A more unusual model with a rectangular top with chamfered corners over a drawer and pair of doors. The interior with hidden compartments. Wood knobs and bracket feet. A very good ex...
Walnut
Custom English Walnut 12-Drawer Server / Credenza
Located in Woodbury, CT
Made for us by our English cabinetmaker with an eye toward serving double duty as an office credenza, or a dining room server, this walnut burl server...
Walnut, Burl
Italian Baroque Walnut Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top over a drawer and a door and a lower drawer. Bracket feet.
Walnut
English Walnut Breakfront Server/Credenza
Located in Woodbury, CT
This walnut and walnut burl breakfront server/credenza offers clean design and copious storage space while bridging the divide between modern and tra...
Walnut
Antique French Server/Credenza
Located in Nashville, TN
This is Early 20th century French server. Stripped of its original color giving it a driftwood tone. Two drawers with matching doors below. Detail everywhere raised panel doors flute...
Pine
Sold
H 75 in W 120 in D 47 in
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena Italian Credenza Sideboard "MB3" Model 1960s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design sideboard credenza 'MB3' model designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena in lacquered wood and chrome-plated brass details, Italy 1961 Please n...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
Luigi Caccia Dominioni Credenza for Azucena, Italian Design, Castiglioni, 1970's
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Antwerp, BE
Castiglioni; Luigi Caccia Dominioni; Azucena; Aldo Turra; Pier Giacomo; Politecnico; Italian Design; Mid-Century Modern; 1970's; Sideboard; Credenza; Luigi Caccia Dominioni crede...
Metal