In his role as art director and furniture designer for Italian furniture brand Giorgetti, architect, educator and painter Massimo Scolari spent over a decade producing so many imaginative, sculptural postmodern pieces that it’s easy to lose count. The Novi Ligure native has always had an eye for good design — he is an equally acclaimed painter with works in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and has taught at Harvard University, Cornell University and the University of Cambridge.
In 1969, Scolari completed his studies in architecture and became a professor in 1973. He taught architecture history in Palermo and drawing at Venice’s Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia. From 1975 onward, Scolari was a visiting professor at many of the world’s top universities for nearly three decades while creating numerous installations for the La Biennale di Venezia and Milan Triennial.
Among Scolari’s notable furniture designs are the solid beechwood Spring swivel armchair, which is characterized by organic curves and has a backrest that features ebony insets, as well as the Erasmo and Zeno writing desks. Each piece offers innovative flourishes — the hidden spring in his armchair allows the sitter to lean back comfortably, which lends an unusual level of flexibility to the modern wooden seat, while his sleek writing desks are often outfitted with hidden drawers or secret pull-out compartments.
Scolari has exhibited across the United States. and Europe as well as in Russia and Japan. A retrospective of his work that featured over 100 paintings, drawings and architectural models was staged at the Cooper Union in 2012. For his distinct and creative contributions to architecture, Scolari was awarded the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture by the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York in 2014.
Find vintage Massimo Scolari lighting, tables and seating on 1stDibs.
PostModern Giorgetti SPRING Desk/Office Chair / Massimo Scolari (Italy)
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
SPRING is a small armchair in polished solid beech wood, with ebony insets in the backrest. The seat is in nondeformable polyurethane, with fabric or leather covering. The arms and...
Leather, Wood, Beech, Ebony
Massimo Scolari Low Profile Dresser in Calamander Wood
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning piece is a simple yet beautiful piece by Italian designer Massimo Scolari. Made with rich and exotic calamander wood veneer, giving a deep striped grain throughout. Eig...
Wood, Zebra Wood
Mid-Century Desk and Matching Chair by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, Italy1990
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Desk and Matching Chair by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, Italy,1990s Dimensions D: 80 - Chair : 46 cm H: 73 - Chair : 89 cm W: 160,5 - Chair : 65 cm
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 Giorgetti “Normal” Armchair by Massimo Scolari, Leather & Fabric, Italy
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Set of four “Normal” armchairs designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, Italy. Each chair features a solid beechwood frame with a dark-stained finish. The structure combines rigid...
Leather, Fabric, Beech
$2,800
Scolari Table Lamp
By Massimo Scolari
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large table by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy 1970s. Made of nickel-plated metal, travertine and brass, Measures: 39 inches high by 6.5 wide by 6.5 deep.
Travertine, Metal
Gateano Scolari Stilnovo Italian Floor Lamp from the 50s
By Massimo Scolari, Stilnovo
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Italian floor lamp from the 50s. Stilnovo Model "4013", designed by GateanoScolari. There are two light switches on the lamp, one of which can turn...
Marble, Brass
$495 / set
H 27.5 in W 51 in D 19.25 in
Mid Century Writing Desk and Chair by Carl Sasse for Casala Germany c. 1950's
By Carl Sasse, Casala
Located in New York, NY
Stylish architectural writing table, desk and chair, designed by Carl Sasse, for Casala made in Germany, circa 1950's. Constructed of solid wood, this example is structurally sound ...
Wood
Unavailable|$4,240
H 32.68 in W 40.95 in D 25.2 in
Onix desk with matching chair by Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina
By Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina, Molteni & C
Located in Kleinburg, ON
Red 1970s Orix desk by Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina for Molteni & C. From the Molteni Museum website: “You write on it and I read at it, but she looks at her reflection in it, ano...
Chrome
Giorgetti Progetti Armchairs Pair
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Umberto Asnago
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti Progetti arm or lounge chairs. Chairs are upholstered in off-white Bouclé with an oak and beech frame.
Bouclé, Beech, Oak
$4,726 / set
H 34.65 in W 24.41 in D 25.99 in
Set of 2 pcs. Giorgetti Progetti Armchairs by Umberto Asnago
By Umberto Asnago, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 2 pcs. vintage Progetti armchairs, designed by Umberto Asnago. Manufacture date circa 1990's by Giorgetti, Italy. Labeled on the bottom and upholstery. In original white color...
Textile, Wood
Table Lamp, 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Table lamp Period: 1970s Country of Manufacturer: Italy Materials: wood, metal parts, opaline glass Colours: red, white, chrome Condition: very good original vintage c...
Chrome
Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
By Knoll, Don Chadwick
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Knoll swivel desk chair(s) from the 1970's, in rich brown formed foam upholstery, on five star base. The chair swivels a full 360, and the base is on double wheel coaster...
Plastic
Murano Table Lamp
By Roberto Pamio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Murano table lamp. Made in transparent Murano glass . Great vintage condition.
Murano Glass
$3,950
H 43.31 in W 29.53 in D 31.89 in
Umberto Asnago Highback Chair for Giorgetti-Progetti Italy, 1980s
By Umberto Asnago, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Almelo, NL
Umberto Asnago wingback chair for Giorgetti-Progetti, Italy, 1980s This is a beautiful wingback chair designed by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti-Progetti in the 1980s. It has been up...
Metal
Eames Management Office Desk Chair by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous edition of the classic Eames office chair for Herman Miller. Management armchair is executed in polished aluminum and bla...
Aluminum
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid Century 4 Drawer Low Profile Dresser/Credenza by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare Paul McCobb 4 drawer dresser/credenza is made of solid maple wood with original aluminum circle metal pulls and tapered maple legs. This piec...
Maple
$4,521 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa. This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950. B...
Brass
Rare Floor Lamp by Stilnovo, Italy, 1960's
By Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Rare floor lamp produced by Stilnovo in Italy around 1960. The lamp features a slim stem on a circular base with a compact, adjustable dome-shaped shade. The red lacquered metal give...
Metal
Sciolari Chrome Floor Lamp Space Age
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Tubular floor lamp in chrome metal, Space Age, designed by Geatano Sciolari. Original Italian 1960s chrome floor lamp with eight movable shades, each with light points directed upwar...
Metal, Chrome
Massimo Scolari x Giorgetti Glass Top Coffee Table
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Astoria, NY
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Modern Glass Top Coffee Table, with Y-shaped ebonized base and circular top, with label "Giorgetti / design MASSIMO SCOLARI / Made In Italy / 054241" to...
Glass, Beech
Sold
H 28.75 in W 69.5 in D 31.5 in
"Zeno" Asymmetrical Beech and Ebony Desk by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A well crafted asymmetric 90's desk designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti S.p.A. The desk is made of a beech frame with Macassar Ebony inset top and aluminum hardware. The leg ha...
Aluminum
Sold
H 28.75 in Dm 70.87 in
Walnut and Black Glass Round “ Erasmo”Table of Italian Manufacture, by Giorgetti
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This beautiful Giorgetti round table is a rare find. Its three solid Canaletto walnut legs support a honeycomb wood and aluminum structure, with a top made of Black Glacè glass. Sati...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 35.83 in W 24.81 in D 18.9 in
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Beech and Ebony Spring Chair with Wheels, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Rochester, England
The Spring office chair was designed in 1994 by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti to match the iconic Zeno desk. Constructed from polished beechwood, the chair sits on a comfortable s...
Leather, Beech, Ebony
Sold
H 35.04 in W 24.81 in D 16.93 in
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Beech and Ebony Spring Office Chair, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Rochester, England
The Spring office chair was designed in 1994 by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti to match the iconic Zeno desk. Constructed from polished...
Beech, Leather, Ebony
Pair of Spring Swivel Armchairs by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Italy
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of early 21st century spring swivel armchairs by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Italy. Feature polished solid beech wood frames, ...
Fabric, Wood
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Zeno Beech and Ebony Desk, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti in 1994, the Zeno desk is a fantastic example of modern Italian design. The desk is construc...
Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 63 in L 31.5 in
Contemporary Giorgetti Desk, Writing table by Massimo Scolari, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Massimo Scolari; desk; office furniture; Giorgetti; Italy; 1990s; Aluminum; Beech; Italian Design; Italian Furniture; Contemporary; Art Nouveau; Minimalism; Eclectic Contemporary ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Contemporary Giorgetti "Spring" Office Chair by Massimo Scolari, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Massimo Scolari; "Spring" Office Chair; Giorgetti; Italy; 1990s; Aluminum; Beech; Leather; Italian Design; Italian Furniture; Contemporary; Art Nouveau; Minimalism; Eclectic Conte...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31 in W 35 in D 35 in
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti S.p.A. Extendable Ur Table, Fluted Pedestal Base
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti S.p.A. Ur extendable, adjustable table, fluted pedestal base. With label and serial number. 35” x 35” squar...
Wood, Maple
Dresser by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, Italy, 1980s/90s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Greding, DE
Chest of drawers designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti. The chest of drawers stands on a stepped base with a total of nine drawers an...
Maple