Collectors of vintage mid-century modern furniture will find that the work of Italian designer Vittorio Dassi and Dassi Mobili Moderni is elegant and sculptural, brimming with all of the clean, angular lines and pleasing symmetry associated with the best of the era’s offerings.
While Dassi's name is less known to enthusiasts of the period’s furniture than the likes of Ico and Luisa Parisi, Franco Albini and other leading lights of mid-20th century Italian design, his case pieces, tables and seating will prove no less worthy of hunting down at today's flea markets and online marketplaces.
Wood was Dassi's preferred material — he favored rosewood, mahogany, walnut and other species for his covetable desks and wall units, which frequently featured decorative flourishes such as glass inlays, while a sideboard or buffet’s fronts might boast hand-carved geometric cutouts in lieu of brass door handles.
While little is known about Dassi's early life, it is believed that his career in furniture design began in 1940 at his family's company Dassi Mobili Moderni, in Lissone, Italy. Shortly thereafter, he took over managing the company from his father.
While Dassi produced dry bars and other case pieces during the 1950s that featured the motifs and ornament that are today attributed to the Art Deco movement, he created sumptuous mahogany nightstands topped with black glass and minimalist teak coffee tables that better represented the forward-looking spirit of mid-century modernism. His wall units of the era for Mobili Cantù are works of art — crafted in walnut and featuring birch veneers and high-gloss lacquer finishes as well as a single door front decorated with an abstract painting or otherwise provocative illustration, these structures would undoubtedly prove quite impressive to the likes of Poul Cadovius and George Nelson.
Dassi often collaborated with Italian architect, editor and furniture designer Gio Ponti. Ponti designed thousands of furnishings and products — from cabinets, mirrors and chairs to ceramics and coffeemakers — and his buildings, including the brawny Pirelli Tower (1956) in his native Milan, and the castle-like Denver Art Museum (1971), were erected in 14 countries. A collaboration between Dassi and Ponti of note is the pair’s work on the Hotel Royal in Naples — Ponti was commissioned to design the hotel and he partnered with Dassi to design the hotel's furnishings.
Today, Dassi Mobili Moderni S.R.L. is still in operation in Lissone.
Find vintage Dassi Mobili Moderni furniture by Fratelli Turri, Edmondo Palutari and other designers on 1stDibs.
Italian Mid-Century wall mounted Sideboard with mirror by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Stunning and rare Italian wall mounted sideboard and/or chest of drawers with mirror, very well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, crafted with a gorgeous material like as warm...
Mirror, Wood
Large sideboard by Vittorio Dassi – Italy 1949-50
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Girona, Girona
Large sideboard, solid wood with mahogany veneer resting on two solid mahogany columns, three doors opening onto shelves and one opening onto five flamed mahogany drawers, original b...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard Three-Door in Birch Briar Root by Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Rare sideboard three-doors designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It's a very fine item made using precious materials as well as the three-doors made of birch briar root, finished ...
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Sideboard, 1950
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This sideboard was designed by the famous Italian design Vittorio Dassi, produced by the homonymous company: Dassi Lissone Milan, Italy, 1950s, the furniture is in walnut and green g...
Brass
Dassi Modern Furniture Sideboard in Wood, Glass and Brass
By Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Milano, IT
An extraordinary and majestic inlaid wood sideboard, made in the 1950s by Dassi Mobili Moderni, famous for the quality of its creations and the excellence of mid-century Italian desi...
Brass
$9,139 / item
H 23.63 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Contemporary Alma Floating Sideboard, Brass, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Floating Sideboard Alma, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Alma floating sideboard embodies the essence of the soul, featurin...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,226Sale Price|35% Off
H 28.35 in W 80.12 in D 20.08 in
Mid-Century Italian Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi (circa 1950s)
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in London, GB
Charming sideboard designed by Vittorio Dassi made in Italy in the middle of the 20th century. This wonderful sideboard was rendered in veneer woods. It has five drawers configured b...
Wood
$13,200
H 30.5 in W 74.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, Circa 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian credenza made of hand crafted lacquered palisanderwood with four drawers and a glass top, designed by Vittorio Dassi in good condition. The storage piece is ideal as a traditional sideboard...
Glass, Palisander
$4,978
H 51.19 in W 72.84 in D 17.72 in
Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Cabinet Bar, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This bar cabinet was designed by the famous Italian design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950. The cabinet is covered in herringbone mahogany with maple inlays and glass top, the central in...
Marble, Brass
$4,807
H 25.99 in W 19.69 in D 66.93 in
Elegant Mid-Century Italian Chest of Drawers by Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Dassi
Located in Argelato, BO
This mid-century Italian cabinet features an elegant and refined design, typical of the 1950s and 1960s. Crafted from wood with fine wood finishes, it boasts a slender frame with ang...
Brass
$79,000
H 39.75 in W 102.75 in D 17.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sideboard, Walnut & Maple, Circa 1940-1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, large vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian freestanding sideboard made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Walnut and Maplewood, in good condition. The console table, credenza is composed with a clear floating glass top, composed with two upper drawers and two doors, enhanced by detailed wood grains, carvings, standing on four curved wooden spider legs. The interior of the cabinet is featuring two shelves, consisting its original hand crafted ceramic door handles...
Ceramic, Glass, Maple, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s.
Wood
$11,276
H 49.61 in W 70.87 in D 18.51 in
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish and Elegant 1950’s 4-Door Credenza by Vittorio Dassi Step back into the glamour of mid-century Italian design with this exquisite 1950’s 4-door credenza by the renowned Vitt...
Brass
$6,884
H 55.12 in W 63 in D 18.31 in
Italian Midcentury Sideboard or Cabinet Bar designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Sideboard or Cabinet Bar designed by Vittorio Dasi in 1950s, great executive quality, wooden upper top, the front is characterised by the presence of two large compatments that open...
Brass
$13,000
H 18.12 in W 125.99 in D 18.12 in
Italian Mid-Century wall-mounted Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
An exceptional and highly impressive wall-mounted sideboard designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, embodying the refined sophistication and architectural purity of Italian Mid-Cent...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Sideboard Bar by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The Italian credenza or sideboard bar by Vittorio Dassi is a refined piece of furniture, featuring a glass top and maple interiors. The front is made up of eight drawers and two door...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
$26,588Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.98 in W 118.12 in D 20.87 in
Italian Art Deco Inlaid Sideboard Attr. Vittorio Dassi and Anzani, 1950s
By Anzani, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Meda, MB
This exceptional Italian sideboard was crafted in the 1950s and is attributed to Vittorio Dassi, with inlays likely executed by Anzani. The exterior is clad in parchment and features...
Formica, Maple, Parchment Paper
Sold
H 35.44 in W 104.34 in D 18.51 in
Vintage Mid Century Sideboard, E. Palutari Design, Teak Wood & Brass Details
By Edmondo Palutari, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This exquisite sideboard is a true masterpiece designed by Edmondo Palutari around 1950s for Mobili Dassi Moderni. This extraordinary piece seamlessly blends Beautiful Italian design...
Brass
Sold
H 33.47 in W 80.32 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Midcentury Sideboard: Edmondo Palutari Design, Teak Wood & Brass Details
By Edmondo Palutari, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This gorgeous sideboard is a true masterpiece designed by Edmondo Palutari around 1950s for Mobili Dassi Moderni. This extraordinary piece seamlessly blends beautiful Italian design ...
Brass
Sold
H 35.44 in W 104.34 in D 18.51 in
Vintage Midcentury Sideboard: Edmondo Palutari Design, Teak Wood & Brass Details
By Edmondo Palutari, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This exquisite sideboard is a true masterpiece designed by Edmondo Palutari around 1950s for Mobili Dassi Moderni. This extraordinary piece seamlessly blends Beautiful Italian design...
Brass
Sold
H 30.91 in W 75.99 in D 17.33 in
Vittorio Dassi Sideboard, 1950s, Beautiful Condition, Carlo Mollino -esque
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in London, GB
Vittorio Dassi, Italy (designer) Sideboard Produced at Dassi Mobili Moderni, Lissone, c. 1955 Wood, glass Beautiful original condition. Some lifting to the backpainting of the glass...
Metal
Sold
H 49.22 in W 80.71 in D 16.93 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Bar Cabinet by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning Sideboard and/or Bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It’s finished with long shaped colored green glasses that give it a particularly brightness, one place...
Glass, Mirror, Stained Glass, Wood, Maple
Sold
H 49.22 in W 80.71 in D 18.12 in
Edmondo Palutari Teak Highboard, Made by Dassi Mobili Iterni, 1960s
By Edmondo Palutari, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This sideboard is made of teak and finished with brass details. It can also be used as a secretary through the door on the right side of the closet. The versatile sideboard offers pl...
Brass
Sold
H 79.53 in W 78.75 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Vanity Dresser with Mirror by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning sideboard and/or vanity dresser designed by Vittorio & Plinio Dassi in the 1950s. Its aesthetic uniqueness is given by the original sculptural shape design of the dresser, ...
Crystal
Sold
H 49.22 in W 49.22 in D 18.31 in
Italian Mid-Century Teak Wood Sideboard with Secretaire by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning sideboard crafted with a gorgeous material like as warm teakwood, finished with brass details, and its uniqueness is given by the presence of a drop-leaf door on the right s...
Brass
Sold
H 35.63 in W 104.34 in D 18.31 in
Mid-Century Sideboard by Edmondo Palutari for Dassi Mobili Moderni, Italy, 1960s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century sideboard by Edmondo Palutari for Dassi Mobili Moderni, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Sold
H 22.05 in W 78.75 in D 63 in
Italian Mid-Century Wall Mounted Corner Console with Mirror by Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning Italian wall-mounted consolle with mirror and drawers, a real unique piece designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, most likely four-handed together Gio Ponti with whom he w...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard or Vanity Dresser by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning Sideboard and/or Vanity dresser designed by Vittorio & Plinio Dassi in the 1950s. Its aesthetic uniqueness is given by the original sculptural shape design of the drawers an...
Crystal
Sold
H 32.29 in W 80.32 in D 18.31 in
Italian Midcentury Teakwood Sideboard with Sliding Door by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stylish sideboard has been crafted with a gorgeous material like as teakwood, and it’s finished with brass details. The internal cabinet is provided with shelves offering plenty...
Brass