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.
Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Italia 1970s-Style Bedroom Wardrobe
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Taranto, IT
A bedroom wardrobe designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the 1970s. It is an important piece of Italian design from that period. It has five doors made of open-pore, p...
Steel
Giovanni Offredi Saporiti 1970s Chest of Drawers & Vanity Table by Portagioie Design
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Taranto, IT
Chest of drawers designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the 1970s. It is part of the same series as the five-door wardrobe and is an extremely rare piece that is very ha...
Steel
Set of Two "Inlay" Night Stands by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1980s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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
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
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
Giovanni Offredi, Credenza / Bar cabinet, prod. Saporiti Italia, anni '70
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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 Saporiti bookcase in maple Italy 1978
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
‘Crossing’ bookcase designed by Giovanni Offredi and manufactured by Saporiti Italia, Italy, 1978. This exceptional and large-scale work is a prime example of Offredi’s ability to me...
Glass, Birdseye Maple
"Bauletto" secretaire desk, design Giovanni OFFREDI for SAPORITI. 1977
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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
Giovanni Offredi Crossing Bookcase for Saporiti Italia Birdseye Maple Wood 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, Mobile contenitore, prod. Saporiti, anni '70
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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
1970s-style sideboard from the Lenox series by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Milano, IT
A 1970s-style sideboard from the Lenox series, made of black-lacquered wood with two doors and three drawers, designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. Manufacturer's label
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
$14,500
H 28.5 in W 59 in D 21.25 in L 28.5 in
Guiseppe Rivadossi, Chest of Drawers, Oak, Italy, 1980s
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in High Point, NC
A solid oak chest of drawers or dresser, designed by Guiseppe Rivadossi and produced by Officina Rivadossi, Italy, c. 1980s.
Oak
$7,450
H 33.27 in W 78.55 in D 21.07 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 'Torbecchia' Sideboard in Walnut
By Poltronova, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 'Torbecchia' sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1964 This exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, created by the artist Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990), is a true...
Walnut
Bamboo wardrobe by Southern Nurseries - 1970s
Located in Roma, RM
Made of bamboo and rush fabric. With two drawers and internal hanging rail.
Bamboo, Rush, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Credenza
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a realm of timeless elegance with this exquisite 1940s Italian credenza, designed by the legendary Osvaldo Borsani. Crafted from rich...
Brass
$13,645 / set
H 60.63 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Victorian Hampton & Son's Satinwood Bedroom Suite Wardrobe Dressing Table Mirror
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this very rare original Victorian Satinwood bedroom suite by Hampton & Son’s of Pall Mall London. A very rare bedroom suite made by one of the great Victorian furniture makers Hampton & Son’s of Pall Mall London. The suite is circa 1890, made from the finest Satinwood available and with silver leaf painted detailing, each piece is Stamped with the button Label of Hampton's Pall Mall East London apart from the chair which has the Hampton plaque on the underside The dimensions of each piece are below, the main wardrobe is very large, the wardrobe with drawers is actually very small and a tallboy size, the dressing table comes with a matching chair and stool We have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, the glass in the Cherval mirror is lightly perished and aged as it’s the original plate, otherwise for me its in time warp condition Hampton and Sons were cabinet makers of Antique Furniture and were first established in ca. 1830 by William Hampton. He opened his first shop selling General household to more Fine furniture in Cranbourn Street, in London. In 1869 Williams Two sons George and William joined his business and they expended and moved to the larger premises 8 Pall Mall, London. Hampton and Sons furnished some impressive properties and boats from the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, the Theatre Royal of Drury Lane, the Duke of York Theatre, the Dorchester and the Mayfair Hotels and the palaces of two Indian princes, the Nizam of Hyderabad & the Maharajah of Kashmir. Hampton and Sons had a few disasters throughout its history, it suffered a major fire in 1890 but they re-established and went to expand their business further. They bought several cabinet making firms starting with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and then Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons...
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood
$6,828
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 19.69 in
Vittorio Introini “Pellicano” Sideboard for Saporiti, Italy, 1960s
By Silvio Coppola, Vittorio Introini
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
$16,400
H 78.75 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bedroom divider or wardrobe unit, walnut, glass Italy, 1980s This exceptional piece by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi is a testament to his exquisite woodworking skills. This monumental wardrobe displays...
Glass, Walnut
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
$22,000
H 35.44 in W 63.19 in D 17.33 in
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Mirrored Sideboard Polished Aluminum Glass
By Vittorio Introini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, wall-mounted sideboard, aluminum, glass, lacquered ash, Italy, 1960s Exceptional sideboard designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti in the 1960s. ...
Aluminum
$22,700
H 15.91 in W 78.94 in D 15.87 in
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Mirrored Sideboard in Polished Aluminum and Glass
By Saporiti, Vittorio Introini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, wall-mounted cabinet, aluminum, glass, Italy, 1960s Exceptional cabinet designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti in the 1960s. This rationalist al...
Aluminum
Caleno Sideboard by Giovanni Ausenda for Stilwood, 1960s
By Giovanni Ausenda, Stilwood
Located in Brussels, BE
Caleno Sideboard by Giovanni Ausenda for Stilwood, 1960s
Wood
$1,885Sale Price|32% Off
H 65 in W 85.5 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinet / Bar Credenza with Drop-Down Door
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage cabinet, likely Italian and dating to the 1960s–1970s, features a clean Mid-Century Modern design with a functional, multi-purpose layout ideal for use as a bar cabinet,...
Glass, Formica, Wood
$3,186
H 53.15 in W 157.49 in D 21.66 in
Large Chocolate Lacquered Wardrobe Manufactured by Elam, Italy, 1970s
By Elam
Located in Milan, IT
Capable wardrobe manufactured by Elam. Fully chocolate lacquered piece composed by four connected sections. A central chest of drawer and three blocks with double doors. Chrome details.
Wood
1970s Rattan Rising Sun Arch Armoire Wardrobe Storage Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare rising sun rattan cabinet you could hope to find. Outstanding tessellated stone design is exhibited throughout. The beauti...
Stone
$1,135Sale Price|20% 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
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 Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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 Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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 Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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 Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
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
Set of Three Cabinets by Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Dronten, NL
Spectacular bird's-eye maple cabinets by Saporiti Italia. The gloss finish and sleek profile make these cabinets stand out in any setting. With seven shelves and four roomy drawers the three cabinets...
Birdseye Maple
Sold
H 24.41 in W 98.43 in D 25.6 in
Saporiti 'Bird's Eye' Maple Sideboard by Giovanni Offredi, Italy, 1950s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Gorgeous and large maple burl 'bird’s eye' wood sideboard. Coated in beautiful high-gloss acrylic varnish. This makes it almost come alive and together with the Birds Eye maple gives...
Metal
Saporiti Italia Nine-Drawer Dresser by Offredi
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful 9 drawer dresser by Saporit Italia. Dresser is in a high gloss birds eye maple. Nine deep drawers provide ample storage. Two center drawers have metal tab pulls. Two cylind...
Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
Radica Sideboard by Giovanni Offredi
By Giovanni Offredi, Giorgio Saporiti
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful sideboard designed by Giovanni Offredi and made by Saporiti, Italy 1975. Stunning “Radica” burl-wood coated in acrylic. Brass handles and legs.
Brass