Skip to main content

Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Italian, 1891-1991

When discussing Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci, it is difficult to decide which is the more impressive achievement: his more than half-century track record of notable projects, which includes designing and restoring some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks, or his nearly century-long life. While he is often remembered for passing away just two days before his centennial birthday, in the same breath he is memorialized for his exceptional contributions to Tuscan architecture, including Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Train Station, Palazzo delle Poste and restored rooms inside the legendary Uffizi Gallery

Michelucci’s practice began in childhood, at his family’s artistic metal workshop. There, he rubbed elbows with many passing artists and architects before pursuing design academically at Florence’s Istituto Superiore di Architettura. Michelucci graduated in 1911 and embarked on a long teaching career. By the early 1920s, he was instructing at the Istituto d’Arte of Rome and later at the Istituto Superiore di Architettura, from 1928 until 1936. He served as dean of the school’s architectural faculty twice during the 1940s and founded the magazine La Nuova Città between the two appointments. He left Florence in 1948 to become a professor at the School of Engineering in Bologna, where he remained until his retirement.

Other significant architectural projects dot Michelucci ‘s career, like the Santa Maria Novella church and church of St. John the Baptist. Often working in collaboration with the Grouppo Tuscano, a collective of young architects, Michelucci beat out more than 100 other bidders on multiple contracts to bring his modernist, rationalist approach to Italy’s architectural landscape.

In his hometown of Pistoia, as well as Fiesole, Michelucci formed the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, which undertook social projects targeted at prisons, hospitals and asylums within the cities. He dedicated the rest of his life toward using architecture to address social challenges — a cause the foundation continues to support today.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Giovanni Michelucci lighting, case pieces and tables

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
31
24
23
20
19
Creator: Giovanni Michelucci
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Gorgeous and rare "Serena "chest of drawers mod. Serena in walnut wood, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1955, Italy. Signed piece.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Walnut

Related Items
Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low chest of drawers in walnut designed by Jack Cartwright. Simple mid-century design with straight lines, dovetailed drawers and black pulls. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Walnut

Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors, two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. The signature o...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
This compact set of hardwood drawers features a wonderful frame with gorgeous grain on the surface top and delicate lip detailing around the edge. Boasting three drawers, this piece'...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Wood

Chest of Drawers
Chest of Drawers
H 24.02 in W 24.02 in D 11.82 in
George Nakashima black american walnut chest of drawers 1955
By George Nakashima
Located in Paris, IDF
This dresser crafted from American black walnut is a stunning testament to George Nakashima's craftsmanship. Created upon the request of a private client in 1955, the angular shapes ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century English Chippendale Mahogany Chest with Desk Drawer
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example an English Chippendale four drawer mahogany chest with a rectangular top with molded edge surmounting a case with four graduated drawers, the top of which converted to...
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Brass

Original 1890 Army & Navy C.S.L Stamped Campaign Chest of Drawers Including Desk
By Army & Navy CSL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely very rare solid mahogany with brass trim Army & Navy C.S.L stamped officers Campaign chest of drawers with drop front Birds Eye Maple desk...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Brass

George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers 1955 Maple
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning example of mid-century modern craftsmanship, this George Nelson three-drawer cabinet from the Basic Cabinet Series embodies timeless elegance. Designed in the 1950s, it sh...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Barbarella Writing Desk / Secretary by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1966/1985
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass Barbarella cabinet for Poltronova, Italy. Designed in 1966, produced in 1985. The cabinet features three drawers over a drop-front ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Teak Bureau Table with Drawers
Located in London, GB
Teak bureau with six small draws and galley over six further draws. Created in circa 1960s/70s. Dimensions: H98 x W100 x D40 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Teak Bureau Table with Drawers
Mid-Century Teak Bureau Table with Drawers
H 38.59 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
Italian Baroque Walnut and Bone Inlaid Writing Bureau / Chest
Located in Essex, MA
An impressive piece recently purchased from a local family that had it for many years and had inherited it from their grandparents. With rectangular top decorated with trailing flowe...
Category

1740s Italian Baroque Antique Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Bone, Walnut

Mario Ceroli Annabella Chest of Drawers in Wood by Poltronova 1970s
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
The Annabella chest of drawers, with four drawers, is entirely made of pine wood. It was designed by the Italian artist Mario Ceroli as part of the Mobili nella Valle series and produced by Poltronova in the late 1970s. It presents a solid and also ethereal structure that can suit every space bringing them a classic and sophisticated aura, it's perfect for living rooms, halls, and bedrooms. The name Annabella was inspired by the main character of the film titled 'Addio Fratello Crudele' directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi and for which Ceroli curated the scenography. Mario Ceroli (1938) is one of the most influential artists of the Italian post-war period. Ceroli graduated from 'Accademia delle Belle Arti' in Rome, where he studied with Leoncillo, Fazzini and Colla. In the early stages of Ceroli's career he concentrated on ceramics and in 1958, he exhibited these works at the Premium Spoleto. In the same year Ceroli held his first solo exhibition at Galeria San Sebastinello of Rome. During 1959 he began to experiment with new materials, particularly with raw wood, such as Russian pinewood. He used these materials to create silhouetted shapes in his furniture and objects that related simplistically to the surrounding space. Ceroli relates back to the traditional medieval craftsmen, focusing on an overall and overwhelming attraction that holds a dialogue with the spectator. Between 1967-1968, Ceroli took part in exhibitions related to the "Arte de Povera" group. He had also been involved as screenplay director collaborating with "II Teatro Stabile" in Turin and with "La Scala" In Milan. Characteristically Ceroli's designs are dramatic and sculptural, with exaggerated forms and bold lines and often paying tribute to historical artworks. One of Ceroli's major works was his 'Mobili nella Valle' series, inspired directly by De Chirico's 1927 painting...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Pine

Harrods Military Campaign Faux Book Chest of Drawers Brown Leather Writing Slope
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade in England Harrods London Military Campaign chest of drawers with brown leather writing slope...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Giovanni Michelucci Desks

Materials

Leather

Giovanni Michelucci desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Giovanni Michelucci desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original desks by Giovanni Michelucci were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Osvaldo Borsani, Vittorio Dassi, and Gianfranco Frattini. Prices for Giovanni Michelucci desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,000 and can go as high as $10,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,000.

Creators Similar to Giovanni Michelucci

Recently Viewed

View All