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.
"Bauletto" secretaire desk, design Giovanni OFFREDI for SAPORITI. 1977
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Torino, IT
Secretarial desk Satchel, design John OFFREDI for SAPORITI. Roller closure, pull-out top, four drawers. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1977 DESIGNER John OFFREDI (1927-2007) MARK SAPORITI ...
Wood
Set of Two "Inlay" Night Stands by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1980s
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two "Inlay" nightstands - chest of drawers by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. Extremely capable deep drawers, burnished brass details and iridescent wood surfaces. Also availab...
Wood
Credenza modello Lenox di Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Ghedi, IT
La Credenza Lenox progettata da Giovanni Offredi per Saporiti Italia negli anni ’70 rappresenta uno dei capolavori iconici del design italiano postmoderno e radicale. Realizzata con ...
Hardwood
Crossing Bookcase by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Conversano, IT
A radical icon of 1970s Italian design, the "Crossing" bookcase by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti represents one of the most striking structural experiments of the era. More than a si...
Smoked Glass, Birdseye Maple
Giovanni Offredi, Credenza / Bar cabinet, prod. Saporiti Italia, anni '70
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare sideboard / bar cabinet Struttura in legno laccato, particolari in acciaio, impiallacciatura in radica. Manufacturer's label Prod. Saporiti, Italia, anni '70
Wood
Giovanni Offredi, Mobile contenitore, prod. Saporiti, 1977
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare wooden storage cabinet mod. Trunk. Ai cassetti e ai ripiani si accede mediane lo scorrimento del settore superiore. Prod. Saporiti anni '70 Etichetta originale del Produttore s...
Wood
Rare Italian Geometric Dry Totem Bar by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, c. 1990's
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in Deland, FL
Rare Italian Geometric Dry Totem Bar by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, c. 1990's About: Introducing a true Italian Modern masterpiece: a rare totem dry bar, designed by the i...
Steel
Giovanni Offredi, Mobile contenitore, prod. Saporiti, anni '70
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Small storage cabinet with drawers Struttura in legno, particolari in metallo, impiallacciatura in radica. Manufacturer's label Prod. Saporiti, Italia, anni '70
Wood
Italy modern Glass and cast iron Consoles by Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italy modern glass and cast iron consoles by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970s Pair of consoles with semi-oval top in thick glass. The cast iron base is composed by an upp...
Metal
Italian chest of drawers by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1980s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Padova, IT
CONDITION: Very good with small, inevitable signs of age and use. A small amount of discoloration on the top, highlighted in the photos, is due to an object being placed on top. Bur...
Brass
Danish Brutalist Oak Bookcase by Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s.
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Bookcase by Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s. Beautiful and sculptural Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern bookcase attributed to Henning Kjærnulf and made in Denmark in the...
Oak
Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern Dunbar credenza features a lacquered hard wood base, spacious interior cabinets, and unique metal pulls. This beautiful Mid-Century piece is...
Wood
$2,000
H 25.75 in W 51.25 in D 23.75 in
Birdseye Maple Chest of Drawers by Saporiti Italia, Italy 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful birdseye maple wood chest of drawers by Saporiti Italia. This low-profile chest features four spacious drawers, minimalist wooden feet, and a surface with overhang on eit...
Wood
$18,387 / set
H 37.41 in W 48.43 in D 17.33 in
Pair of Consoles China Cabinet, Model, 232 by Borge Mogensen Prod, FDB Mobler
By FDB Møbler
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of consoles China cabinet - Model, 232 by Borge Mogensen Prod. FDB Mobler. Made of oak wood with 1960s brass details. Container unit with customizable internal shelves and drawers.
Brass
$9,455 / item
H 46.46 in W 12.6 in D 33.86 in
Secrétaire Desk in Shagreen and Palmwood by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood
$1,043Sale Price|68% Off
H 31.5 in W 84.65 in D 17.72 in
Saporiti Minimal 1970 Sideboard in Solid Chestnut Drawers and Doors
By Saporiti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Saporiti minimal 1970 sideboard in solid chestnut drawers and doors.
Chestnut
$6,643Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.15 in W 38.19 in D 18.9 in
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Pine, Walnut
$7,168
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 19.69 in
Vittorio Introini “Pellicano” Sideboard for Saporiti, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Introini, Silvio Coppola
Located in amstelveen, NL
Italian modern “Pellicano” sideboard designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, circa 1960s. This long, credenza features a beautifully proportioned architectural form, finished in...
Ash, Lacquer
$5,850
H 59.45 in W 23.63 in D 22.05 in
Italian Mid-Century Umberto Asnago Commode by Giorgetti, 1980s
By Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Mid-Century Giorgetti commode/chest of drawers by Umberto Asnago from 1980's. Black painted wood with natural wood drawers decorated with black handles. Very good/excellent ...
Metal
$4,417
H 78.75 in W 33.86 in D 65.36 in
Vintage 1970s plastic corner bookcase designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell
By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell
Located in None, IT
Orange angular ABS plastic library, modular interlocking, design Olaf von Bohr for Kartell, 1970s CONDITION: In good condition, shows signs of wear given by time. SIZING: Height 2...
Plastic
$2,295
H 30.25 in W 38 in D 18 in
Lane Altavista Mid Century Slatted Rosewood Walnut Bar Server Credenza Cabinet
By Lane Furniture
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A rare and wonderful Lane Furniture server or dry bar. Rosewood slats with rosewood inlay, walnut body with chrome handles. 1970s. Fully open the top is 76.25”. The depth is 19” at t...
Chrome
$4,083Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.67 in W 63 in D 12.21 in
oak console bookcase, Charlotte Perriand, 1970s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Milano, MI
Bookcase cabinet of 1970s production attributed to Charlotte Perriand, composed of large 160 cm long oak shelves resting on black metal corners. The 85 cm height and distinctive sha...
Sheet Metal
Sold
H 26.38 in W 53.15 in D 22.05 in
Bauletto Model Chest of Drawers by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1977
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Conversano, IT
Signed by Giovanni Offredi, one of the most refined figures of late 20th-century Italian design, this iconic chest of drawers was produced by Saporiti Italia in the 1970s as part of ...
Maple
Sold
H 27.96 in W 57.49 in D 21.66 in
"Lenox" chest of drawers by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Conversano, IT
Elegant and very rare chest of drawers belonging to the "Lenox" series designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporti Italia. The chest of drawers is entirely upholstered in precious Partr...
Maple
Sold
H 19.69 in W 28.75 in D 21.66 in
Pair of "Lenox" Nightstands by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary and very rare pair of bedside tables belonging to the "Lenox" series designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporti Italia. The nightstands are fully upholstered in very prec...
Maple
Sold
H 24.41 in W 98.43 in D 25.6 in
Sideboard Model "Birds-Eye" in Maple by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Saporiti's darling Giovanni Offredi showed with this 1970s sideboard from the 'Birds-Eye' series that he remained true to his modernist view on design. As a great critic of the rise ...
Maple
Sold
H 33.86 in W 40.56 in D 27.17 in
Commode Desk Secretary Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1980s Burr Wood Italian
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Italian chest of drawers from the 1980s by the designer Giovanni Offredi for the publishing house Saporiti. Entirely made of burr wood, with a retractable shelf, four large drawers a...
Wood
Credenza by Giovanni Offredi for Tosi, Italy, 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Impressive and Unique Credenza by Giovanni Offredi for Tosi from the 'Antologia Series' from Italy, 1970s. This credenza has an Art Deco style, however is from a later period. The design has round shapes on the edges and beautifully detailed handles. The credenza is also very practical with four doors, multiple shelves, and four drawers. The top middle shelf has a tambour door. The credenza is in good condition and made of plywood and maple. The three small vertical shelves...
Maple, Plywood
Sold
H 24.5 in W 59 in D 26.13 in
1970s Italian Birdseye Maple Credenza Cabinet by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A delightful three-door credenza designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti entirely in birdseye-maple veneered surfaces, it is a brilliant piece that absolutely glows under the shimm...
Bronze
Sold
H 24.5 in W 59 in D 26.13 in
Mid-Century Modern Birdseye Maple Credenza by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A delightful three-door credenza designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti entirely in birdseye-maple veneered surfaces, it is a brilliant piece that absolutely glows under the shimm...
Bronze
Storage Unit by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
1970s furniture designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced by Sapori D'italia, in eyed maple, with smoked glass doors and wooden drawers.
Smoked Glass, Birdseye Maple
Giovanni Offredi Italian Mid Century Wardrobes 70's
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in bari, IT
Mobile wardrobe save space that can be opened at 180 degrees with wheels, special removable shirt compartments, Design Giovanni Offredi for Tasty for Casa C. in Gorgonzola Milano. N....
Mirror, Wood
Sideboard by G.Offredi for Saporiti
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Sideboard by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia. The Internal draws and cupboards are finished in bird’s eye maple and the exterior has been new...
Lacquer
Sideboard by G.Offredi for Saporiti
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Sideboard by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia. The internal draws and cupboards are finished in bird's-eye maple and the exterior has been new...
Lacquer