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Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Italian, 1927-2007

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.

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Creator: Giovanni Offredi
Poltrona e pouf modello Wave di Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia
Poltrona e pouf modello Wave di Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia

Poltrona e pouf modello Wave di Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia

By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Ghedi, IT

La poltrona con pouf Wave firmata da Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia rappresenta una delle interpretazioni più eleganti e fluide del design italiano degli anni Settanta. Un pro...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Set of 4 "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Blue Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968
Set of 4 "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Blue Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968

Set of 4 "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Blue Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968

By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Roma, IT

Marvellous midcentury armchairs with tubular steel structure and seats. "Lens" model was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced for Saporiti, around 1968 in Italy. These items are made of a stunning new stain-resistant, fire-retardant petrol blue velvet. A magnificent and iconic set that will be perfect for a living room or study, thanks to the brightness of the chromed steel structure. These pieces are in amazing vintage conditions as shown in the photos. The shipping quote refers to the chairs shipped with the seating disassembled from the chrome base. Giovanni Offredi (born 1927, Milan–died 2007, Milan) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer of the second half of the 20th century. As opposed to most of the other Italian furniture designers of his time, Giovanni Offredi was not an architect, nor did he start designing early in his professional career. Instead, Offredi partially fits the career path of some of the talented contemporary designers who pursue product design outside of a formal education in architecture. The earliest furniture design work known by Giovanni Offredi consists of exemplary furnishings made specifically for some of the wealthy families in Milan. Such is the case of the works done by Offredi for Casa C., in 1960, in Gorgonzola, a small town 14 miles from Milan. These works were designed with a surprisingly minimal simplicity and elegance, and they also clearly display a hallmark of his design work with the use of angular lines and exposed metal or wood frames—not unlike some of the modern Scandinavian design of the time. In the late 1960s, Giovanni Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, the owner of Italian design shop and furniture maker Saporiti, and in 1970, Offredi formalized a partnership with the furniture maker. This partnership would be long and successful and resulted in many furniture designs of distinct precision that were clearly modern and innovative and that went on to enjoy considerable commercial success. The most prominent furniture designs that Offredi made for Saporiti include the Paracarro table...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome

Large Italian Modern 'Vela Alta' Lounge Chair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
Large Italian Modern 'Vela Alta' Lounge Chair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti

Large Italian Modern 'Vela Alta' Lounge Chair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti

By Giovanni Offredi, Fratelli Saporiti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Vintage Italian Modernist Vela Alta ("Tall Sail") lounge chair designed in the 1970s by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. Composed of a durable, metal, upholstered frame with exposed ch...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1970s Set of Six Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Lens Dining Arm Chairs
1970s Set of Six Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Lens Dining Arm Chairs

1970s Set of Six Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Lens Dining Arm Chairs

By Giovanni Offredi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a set of six Lens Armchairs, designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in 1968. These examples date to the 1970s and the listed price includes the set of six as shown....

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Giovanni Offredi Leather Armchair with Ottoman, Saporiti Italia, 1970s
Giovanni Offredi Leather Armchair with Ottoman, Saporiti Italia, 1970s

Giovanni Offredi Leather Armchair with Ottoman, Saporiti Italia, 1970s

By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Ludwigslust, DE

This large gray leather armchair comes in very good condition. The soft leather of the armchair and the ottoman shows slight signs of wear. The ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

Materials

Leather

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By Fratelli Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi

Located in Dallas, TX

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Giovanni Offredi White Leather and Steel "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti, Italy, 1968
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By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi

Located in Roma, IT

Marvellous midcentury lounge chair with tubular steel frames and white leather seat. The "Lens" model was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced for Saporiti in 1968. This chair has a white leather seat with original upholstery and a fantastic tubular structure, available as it is or can be restored. A wonderful space-age design piece, fused with sumptuous and elegant materials. A magnificent and iconic piece that will be perfect for a midcentury-style living room or study and a must-have for vintage leather seats lovers. The condition of the chair has some normal signs of use and vintage condition, as shown in the photos. Giovanni Offredi (born 1927, Milan–died 2007, Milan) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer of the second half of the 20th century. As opposed to most of the other Italian furniture designers of his time, Giovanni Offredi was not an architect, nor did he start designing early in his professional career. Instead, Offredi partially fits the career path of some of the talented contemporary designers who pursue product design outside of formal education in architecture. The earliest furniture design work known by Giovanni Offredi consists of exemplary furnishings made specifically for some of the wealthy families in Milan. Such is the case of the works done by Offredi for Casa C., in 1960, in Gorgonzola, a small town 14 miles from Milan. These works were designed with a surprisingly minimal simplicity and elegance, and they also clearly display a hallmark of his design work with the use of angular lines and exposed metal or wood frames—not unlike some of the modern Scandinavian design of the time. In the late 1960s, Giovanni Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, the owner of Italian design shop and furniture maker Saporiti, and in 1970, Offredi formalized a partnership with the furniture maker. This partnership would be long and successful and resulted in many furniture designs of distinct precision that were clearly modern and innovative and that went on to enjoy considerable commercial success. The most prominent furniture designs that Offredi made for Saporiti include the Paracarro table...

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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

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Steel, Stainless Steel

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Postmodern chaise longue Wave model designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. A timeless piece, characterized by a steel structure and a minimalist aesthetic in perfect postmodern style. The chair cushion...

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By Giovanni Offredi

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Crafted with industrial steel frames with the two seat upholstered loveseat mounted atop the frame. The sofa has affixed upholstered seat and seat back cushions. Very comfortable. ...

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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

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Giovanni Offredi P80 dining chairs Saporiti Italy 1973
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By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

These Model P80 dining chairs, designed by Giovanni Offredi and manufactured by Saporiti Italia in 1973, are a striking example of mid-century Italian design. The chairs feature cast...

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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

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Previously Available Items
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Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, lounge chair, ash, fabric, Italy, 1970s This charming Italian lounge chair comes with a delicate upholstery featuring a light blue overtone decorat...

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Pair of “P64” lounge chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s
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Pair of “P64” lounge chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s

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Located in Piacenza, Italy

A refined pair of “P64” lounge chairs designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1970s. These sculptural seats feature a fully padded structure and retain their original brown ...

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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

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Wave Armchair, Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

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By Giovanni Offredi

Located in Milano, Lombardia

The Wave Armchairs, designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, are a captivating pair of chairs that embody elegance and innovation. With their distinctive wave-shaped backrests, the...

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Pair of "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Plum Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968
Pair of "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Plum Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968

Pair of "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Plum Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968

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Located in Roma, IT

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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni Offredi Armchairs

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Italian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti 1974
Italian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti 1974

Italian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti 1974

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Italian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1974. Wave model armchair, with original orange fabric and satin steel structure and legs. Prod...

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Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Armchairs Model Onda, Label
Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Armchairs Model Onda, Label

Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Armchairs Model Onda, Label

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Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Armchairs Model Onda, Label

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Located in Milano, IT

The pair of modernist Italian armchairs from the renowned Saporiti Italia manufacture, designed by Giovanni Offredi in the 1970s, represents a pinnacle of sleek and sophisticated des...

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Italian Brown Leather Vela Alta Armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970

Italian Brown Leather Vela Alta Armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970

By Giovanni Offredi

Located in Byron Bay, NSW

Italian Brown Leather Vela Alta armchair with ottoman by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970. Wear consistent with age and use.

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SET DI DUE SEDIE Giovanni Offredi Saporiti anno 1970
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Saporiti Italia set of 2 leather armchairs by Giovanni Offredi

Saporiti Italia set of 2 leather armchairs by Giovanni Offredi

By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Ludwigslust, DE

These two saporiti armchairs from the 70s are in good condition. The soft black leather only shows slight signs of wear and patina. The seat backs are slightly springy and the armcha...

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Wave Armchair, Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Wave Armchair, Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

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Located in Milano, Lombardia

The Wave Armchairs, designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, are a captivating pair of chairs that embody elegance and innovation. With their distincti...

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Pair of "Vela Bassa" Armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italia, 1970s
Pair of "Vela Bassa" Armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italia, 1970s

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Pair of "Vela Bassa" Armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970s. Crafted from premium black leather, the "Vela Bassa" armchairs exude luxury...

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Giovanni Offredi armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Giovanni Offredi armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Giovanni Offredi armchairs, although orange editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Giovanni Offredi were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by C&B Italia, Artemide, and Vivai del Sud. Prices for Giovanni Offredi armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,872 and can go as high as $7,356, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,849.