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.
"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
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
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
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
$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
$4,240Sale Price|20% Off
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
$495 / set
H 27.5 in W 51 in D 13 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
Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
By kontra
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office...
Leather
$3,539
H 29.14 in W 55.04 in D 23.82 in
Glass, Painted wood & Chrome Plated Metal 1990s desk by Gallotti e Radice
By Gallotti & Radice
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Minimal Desk with wheeled chest of drawers in white lacquered wood, thick cut glass and chrome plated metal. Minimal and elegant Desk with chest of drawers on wheels in white lacqu...
Metal, Chrome
$4,500
H 36.5 in W 48.75 in D 19.75 in
Antonio Citterio 'Elios" Writing Desk Console for B&B Italia, 1990s
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Skokie, IL
Antonio Citterio 'Elios" writing desk console for B&B Italia, 1990 Additional information: Materials: beech, brass, plastic Dimensions: 48.75" w x 19.75" d x 36.5" h
Brass
Vintage Herman Miller Aeron Office Desk Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Herman Miller Aeron Office Desk Chair. Featuring lumbar support, polished aluminum, tuxedo pellicle, and black leathe...
Aluminum
$1,600
H 29 in W 47.25 in D 22.5 in
White Lacquer Desk with Brass Ring Pulls, Vintage Style, 1990s, USA
Located in Stamford, CT
White lacquered desk, two drawers with brass ring pulls. Clearance height 23.5. Desk or console finished on all sides.
Brass
Charles Pollock Leather Executive Office Desk Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic Charles Pollock executive desk chair for Knoll. Camel leather in good condition with no tears or missing buttons. Signed and guaranteed authentic. Height adjustable. Swivels ...
Leather
Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
By Don Chadwick, Knoll
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
Stilnovo Floor Lamp 1950
By Stilnovo
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Very nice and typical Italian shaped floor lamp by Stilnovo, Italy 1950. The floor lamp has a round white marble base and a brass arm with counterweight for the balance. The shade i...
Marble, Brass
$2,975
H 29 in W 48 in D 24 in
Welcome to Mid-Century NoHo Mid Century Maple Desk by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Welcome to Mid-Century NoHo [Mid Century Maple Desk by Paul McCobb for Winchendon] Mid-century maple desk designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. This beautiful desk is made of map...
Maple
Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair
By kontra
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom sp...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
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 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 Basildon, London
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 Basildon, London
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 Basildon, London
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 Massimo Scolari, Giorgetti S.p.A.
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 Massimo Scolari, Giorgetti S.p.A.
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
Set Massimo Scolari For Giorgetti "Zeno" Desk and Chair, 1990s
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti "Zeno" desk and chair, 1990s.
Wood
Erasmo Executive Desk by Giorgetti
By Massimo Scolari
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Executive desk with the frame in walnut Canaletto wood veneer. The top is in ebony macassar veneer with cable holder. The chest with 3 drawers, two shallow and one deep, is in curved...
Chrome