Of his mid-century modern furniture designs, which marry minimalist simplicity with elegance and symmetry, Italian designer Giovanni Offredi once said: “Beauty should not be confused with appearance, since the latter is the superficial part of the form.”
Born in Milan, in 1927, Offredi did not pursue formal education as an architect, unlike many of his contemporaries in the first half of the 20th century. He also did not begin designing furniture until later in his career. His earliest known furnishings were commissioned by wealthy Milanese families in 1960.
It wasn’t until the late 1960s — when Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, owner of Italian furniture manufacturer and design shop Saporiti — that his furniture designs would become more prominent. In 1970, Offredi entered into a partnership with Saporiti, producing several innovative and modernistic furniture lines.
Among Offredi’s most notable pieces are the gently curving Wave chair, sofa and lounge chair, the Onda coffee table and the Paracarro dining room table, with its cylindrical concrete base, glass top and metal cross section. He also designed a series of credenzas and sideboards in lacquered wood, featuring a high gloss finish and bold colors.
Offredi enjoyed a successful collaboration with Saporiti throughout the 1970s. In 1984, he began a partnership with Italian cabinet and kitchen manufacturer Snaidero, designing modern kitchens. His final kitchen design, Kube, in 2006, featured streamlined forms, contrasting materials and colors and a recessed aluminum toe kick with a reflective mirror finish, which made the kitchen appear suspended above the ground. The kitchen won a Good Design Award from the Chicago Design Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, in 2008. Offredi never had the opportunity to accept that prize — he died in 2007.
Although Offredi’s works are relatively obscure, they are sought out by in-the-know furniture collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Giovanni Offredi chairs, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Italian Modern Black Metal Ashtray by Giovanni Offredi for Bando Line, 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black metal Ashtray by Giovanni Offredi for Bando Line, 1970s Metal ashtray with round base and raised edges. The central plate is in glossy black painted metal. It ...
Metal
$811 / set
H 25.99 in Dm 10.56 in
Set of Two "Griglia" Floor Ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Griglia floor ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese. Upper part can be also used as a table ashtray.
Aluminum
Turquoise Crystal Ashtray signed by Moser, Italy, 1970s
By Moser
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional ashtray made of high-quality vibrant aquamarine colored crystal. This marvelous and unique piece was produced by Moser in Italy during the 1970s, and is signed on the bot...
Crystal
$143
H 1.97 in Dm 7.09 in
Ashtray Murano Glass Violet Transparent Midcentury Modern Italian Design 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Circular ashtray made of very thick Murano glass, in shades of violet and transparent. I underline the excellent quality and manufacturing of the glass. Made in Italy in the 70s. Ple...
Murano Glass
$954
H 2.96 in W 10.79 in D 10.79 in
Sculptural Synthesis Ashtray by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural Postmodern Synthesis Ashtray by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy, 1970s A striking example of postmodern design, this Synthesis ashtray was created by renowned archite...
Plastic
Original crystal glass ashtray by Mario Cioni, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Cioni
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Original crystal glass ashtray by Mario Cioni made in Italy in the 1970s. An elegant ashtray made of high-quality crystal, created by the legendary Italian master Mario Cioni. A spe...
Crystal
Spirale ashtray in black marble by Achille Castiglioni, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vigevano, PV
Ashtray in Belgian black marble and steel spiral. 16 cm diam. 7.5 cm h. Metal plaque by Bacci Italia signed in the mold applied to the base of the bowl. Designed by Achille Castiglio...
Marble, Steel
Sphere Brass Ashtray Set by Tommaso Barbi, Italy, 1970s
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant and rare set of five stacked brass ashtrays designed by Italian designer Tommaso Barbi in the 1970s. The five modular elements stack together to form a sculptural brass spher...
Brass
Italian Black Marble Cup/Ashtray by Angelo Mangiarotti, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian black marble cup/ashtray by Angelo Mangiarotti, 1970s.
Marble
$620Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.34 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Padded leather and metal ashtray by Poltrona Frau, Italy, 1970s
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Nicolosi, IT
This padded ashtray was produced by Poltrona Frau in the 1970s and stands as a refined example of Italian design applied to everyday accessories. The piece features a softly padded l...
Metal
Marble Ashtray Attributed to Angelo Mangiarotti for Knoll, Italy, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Knoll
Located in Rome, IT
Round marble ashtray attributed to Angelo Mangiarotti for Knoll, Italy, 1970s.
Marble
$450
H 1.5 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Post-Modern Alabaster Ashtray, Hand-Crafted, Italy, 1970s, Beige Stone
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large vintage Polished Alabaster square ashtray with a low profile and wide bowl. Vintage beige stone large ashtray with brown and grey color accents...
Marble, Stone, Alabaster
Red and Black Metal Floor Ashtray with Arc Foots, 1970s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Red and Black Metal Floor Ashtray with Arc Foots, 1970s, Italy Measurements : Height: 61 cm Ashtray diameter and height: 11 cm and 7 cm Base diameter: 15 cm x 19 cmHeight: 52 cm Ash...
Metal