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.
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 'Torbecchia' Dining Table in Walnut
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 'Torbecchia' dining table, walnut, Italy, 1964 A streamlined table with architectural flair designed by Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990) for Poltr...
Walnut
$1,482Sale Price|25% Off
H 29.53 in Dm 47.25 in
Chrome Plated Metal and Smoked Glass Trifoglio Table by S. Asti for Poltronova
By Sergio Asti, Poltronova
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This table was produced in Italy by Poltronova in 1969. It is made from a chrome plated base with a shaped thick feet and a black skai top cover, it features a round smoke glass top....
Metal, Chrome
Gae Aulenti Locus Solus table for Poltronova Italy, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Skokie, IL
Gae Aulenti Locus Solus table for Poltronova Italy, 1960s Dimensions: 28" h x 33 1/2" w x 33 1/2" d Condition: Frame is excellent. Glass shows foggy area and some scratching ...
Steel
$4,500
H 29.5 in W 108 in D 37 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Dining Table in Walnut, Rosewood, Ash w/ 2 Leaves
By Johnson Furniture Company, Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the Unites States in the 1960s, this piece was manufactured by Johnson Furniture Co. and sold by Directional, who consistently sold smash hits from the likes of Paul Evans an...
Hardwood, Ash, Rosewood, Walnut
$3,600Sale Price|21% Off
H 28.75 in Dm 48 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 'Compass' Dining Table in Walnut, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Adrian Pearsall’s sculptural design language, this 'Compass' dining table was produced by Craft Associates in the 1960s. The solid walnut base features Pearsall...
Walnut
$447
H 29.14 in W 23.82 in D 59.06 in
Dining Table in the style of Tobecchia Series by Giovanni Michelucci, 1950s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Roma, IT
Inspired by the Torbecchia series by Giovanni Michelucci, this table was realized in the mid-20th Century in Italy. Very good condition.
Brass, Iron
$4,120
H 16.54 in W 57.09 in D 25.6 in
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s, Made in Italy. Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s. It was designed in wood and ven...
Wood, Walnut
$2,350Sale Price|47% Off
H 28.25 in Dm 39.5 in
Customized 'Paracarro' Dining Table Base by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970s
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 'Paracarro' dining table bases are by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia which are sculpted from concrete and chromed steel with ceramic tiles in a mosaic form during ...
Concrete, Steel, Chrome
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Dining Table in Birdseye Maple
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Chicago, IL
Giovanni Offredi for saporiti dining table in birdseye maple, with marquetry abstract designs on the surface.
Wood, Birdseye Maple
$7,800
H 29.5 in W 96 in D 40 in
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Extending Dining Table in Walnut for Widdicomb, 1950
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Camden, ME
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings dining table with pullout end leaves on twin tripod bases with reverse tapered legs. One of Robsjohn-Gibbings scarcer designs this model 1626 walnut table wa...
Walnut
$17,069
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Ettore Sottsass ‘Harlow’ Dining Table for Poltronova in Dark Blue Lacquer
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Hellouw, NL
Few designers have had as profound an influence on post-war Italian design as Ettore Sottsass. Created during his prolific years with Poltronova, the ‘Harlow’ TPA 240 dining table em...
Steel
Knoll International Dining Table in Walnut
By Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Mid-Century Modern dining table by Knoll International features a vintage walnut finish, and a spacious tabletop perfect for large meals and hosting. Please confirm item ...
Walnut
$5,766
H 27.56 in Dm 47.25 in
Italian modern dining table Loto Rosso Ettore Sottsass Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern dining table Loto Rosso by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1960s Dining table model Loto Rosso with round white marble top. The cylindrical central structure is made o...
Marble, Metal
Sold
H 26.78 in W 72.45 in D 31.5 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ´Torbecchia´ Dining Room Set in Walnut
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, ´Torbecchia´ dining room set; table, bench and four chairs, walnut, cane, Italy, circa 1964. This dining room set contains one table, a bench a...
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 27.96 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Midcentury Consolle Dining Table 1960
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Tavolo consolle della serie Torbecchia TP. 184 disegnato da Giovanni Michelucci e prodotto da Poltronova con top e struttura in legno di noce, produzione Italia 1964. Marchio G. Mich...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Solid Walnut Writing Table
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
Table from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Solid walnut structure with beautiful table edge detail similar to Charl...
Walnut
"Ragno" Circular Table by Giovanni Michelucci
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous, sculptural dining or center table, of Italian Walnut with thick crystal top. This table is from a small edition produced by Delecta, and was only being offered for a short ...