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 furniture by Fratelli Turri, Edmondo Palutari and other designers on 1stDibs.
Three Italian Mid-Century Chairs with armrests by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
This exquisite and very rare set of three chair with armrests, defined by striking bold sculptural lines and robust structures made of teakwood, masterfully designed by Vittorio Dass...
Velvet, Teak
$6,355 / set
H 39.38 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Six Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six dining chairs designed by the famous Italian architect Vittorio Dassi, solid mahogany chairs and original eco-leather upholstery, in excellen...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Very Rare Vittorio Dassi Chair, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Very rare Vittorio Dassi Chair, Made in Italy, 1960s. This wonderful chair designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1960s is a wonderful example of functional elegance. This chair is a mix...
Wood, Mahogany
$5,296 / set
H 35.83 in W 17.72 in D 21.26 in
Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Dinning Chairs, 1950s, Set of Four
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Gorgeous set of four mid-century Italian dining chairs by Vittorio Dassi, recently reupholstered in ivory satin velvet, restored and polished with shellac.
Fabric, Walnut
$1,360 / set
H 32.68 in W 18.12 in D 26.78 in
Medea Chairs by Vittorio Nobili, Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A nice pair of old, authentic Medea chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s. The price shown is for a single chair. Signs of use and wear and some minor losses...
Metal
$11,063 / set
H 30.32 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Set of Six "Vittorio Dassi" blue Dining Chairs, Italy 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six chairs was made in Italy in the 1960s and marketed by the Busnelli di Meda company. The sturdy teak chair frames show signs of wear. The seat consists of a fibreglass...
Wood
$6,750
H 34 in W 24.25 in D 30.25 in
Vittorio Dassi Attr, Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchair, Honey Shearling, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Manhasset, NY
Vittorio Dassi Attr, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Armchair, Desk or Occasional Chair, Honey Shearling, 1950s This rare sculptural armchair, attributed to Vittorio Dassi in Italy circ...
Sheepskin
$8,474Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Dining Table and Eight Chairs by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Budapest, HU
Table and eight chairs designed by the Italian artist Vittorio Dassi in 1950. Table with a green glass top, a lower shelf, drawer chest on one side, and mirrored and decorated, close...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
$8,164 / set
H 32.68 in W 18.12 in D 22.05 in
Set of 6 Medea Chairs by Vittorio Nobili, Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A nice set of six Medea chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s. Good structural condition, some minor signs of use and wear, minor losses to edges, but good g...
Metal
Vittorio Dassi Chairs
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Catania, IT
Set of 8 wooden dining chairs with Italian production upholstery from the 1940s attributable to the designer Vittorio Dassi.
Wood
$48,720 / set
H 29.73 in W 21.46 in D 22.05 in
Brazilian Midcentury Design, Solid Imbuia Dining Chairs with Armrests, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
This set of dining chairs is composed of solid Imbuia wood, with brown synthetic leather seats and backrests. The set is composed of 8 chairs. Even with authorship unidentified, the...
Synthetic, Hardwood
$6,017 / set
H 35.44 in W 17.33 in D 22.45 in
Six of Edmondo Palutari for Dassi Mid-Century Italian Teak Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Edmondo Palutari
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six beautiful chairs designed by Edmondo Palutari for Dassi, the chairs are in teak and have been restored and covered with a new hemp fabric, similar to the original, Italy, 1950s.
Hemp, Teak
$4,247 / set
H 31.7 in W 22.84 in D 21.46 in
Mid Century Modern Authentic Three Chairs with Armrests Gian Franco Legler 1950s
By Gian Franco Legler
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage authentic three dining chairs or chairs with armrests from rattan and metal by Gian Franco Legler 1950s Switzerland. A fabulous and rare set of three chairs with armrests with a very comfortable seat shell from fine weaved rattan and black lacquered feet with rubbers. This design icon by Gian Franco Legler was designed in 1951 for an Italian restaurant...
Metal
Six Dassi chairs
By Dassi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Delightful set of six chairs of Dassi production made denegai years 1950-1959. The simple yet elegant shape brings a touch of vintage to a modern home without breaking the balance of...
Wood
Rosewood Chairs with Ebonized Profiles, 1950s, Set of 8
By Dassi
Located in Montelabbate, PU
8 rosewood chairs with ebony profiles, 1950s.
Wood, Rosewood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.04 in W 22.45 in D 23.63 in
Edmondo Palutari for Dassi Italian Wood and Green Fabric Chair Armchair, 1950s
By Dassi, Edmondo Palutari
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design sophisticated dining chair / armchair with armrests designed by Italian designer Edmundo Palutari and produced by Dassi, with solid wood structure a...
Fabric, Wood
Dassi Dinning Chairs 1950S Set of 5
By Dassi
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 5 chairs in wood and fabric. Measure: Seat height 46cm. Wear and tear due to time and the age of the chairs.
Fabric, Wood