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.
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
$1,624Sale Price|35% Off
H 31 in W 66 in D 20 in
Drexel Declaration Ten Drawer Low Dresser by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern walnut triple dresser from the desirable declaration line designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel in the 1950s. On the right are fou...
Walnut
$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
Custom Reclaimed Elm Wood Dresser in Natural Finish
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Our dresser is custom made from reclaimed elm wood in a dark walnut finish, The eco-friendly dresser, is a great additional to any space. Experience the beauty of reclaimed wood wh...
Elm, Reclaimed Wood
Lane Rhythm Six Drawer Low Dresser Walnut Ash Restored
By Lane Furniture
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A Lane Rhythm Mid century walnut and ash six drawer dresser. Dovetailed drawers. Wonderful wood selection and grain.
Ash, Walnut
Kent Coffey Cerused Walnut Mid-Century Modern Low Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Fulton, CA
Cerused walnut 6 drawer low dresser by Kent Coffey. Circa. 1950's. Features 6 large drawers. Fine craftsmanship. Solid oak interior woods with dovetail construction. Dust panels and ...
Walnut
Custom Reclaimed Elm Wood Dresser in Walnut Finish
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Our dresser is custom made from reclaimed elm wood in a dark walnut finish, The eco-friendly dresser, is a great additional to any space. Experience the beauty of reclaimed wood wh...
Elm, Reclaimed Wood
Vista of California Mid-Century Modern Low Dresser
By Vista of California
Located in Fulton, CA
A 6 drawer low dresser by Vista of California. Exoskeleton steel frame with water-proof faux wood Formica top and walnut drawers. Drawers glide smoothly and effortlessly. Very good o...
Steel
Vintage Mid-Century Modern 9-Drawer Low Dresser / Credenza
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage Mid-Century Modern low dresser features a long, streamlined case with nine drawers arranged in three horizontal rows of three drawers each.The design is defined by clea...
Wood
Danish Modern Quarter Profile Teak Highboy Dresser by Tibergaard
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Tibergaard Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 31.5″ wide x 16″ deep x 42.5″ tall Condition: In excellent original condition. P...
Teak
John Van Koert Drexel Profile K12 Gentlemen’s Chest Dresser
By Henredon, Karl Johan, John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
K12 Man’s Chest designed by John Van Koert for Drexel’s “Profile” collection. Collectors revel – this dresser comes with it’s original tag! Van Koert began his career as a jewelry de...
Chrome
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triple Dresser in Mahogany Wood
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar triple dresser in mahogany wood,1952 Model 5272 features 12-drawer storage with solid turned tapered legs and curved pulls. Labe...
Mahogany
$2,137Sale Price|25% Off
H 29 in W 34 in D 19 in
Scandinavian Modern Small low 3 Drawer teak dresser made in Norway by Ganddal
By Ganddal Mobelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Small low 3 Drawer teak dresser made in Norway. Great red tone teak wood small dresser with carved handles and ro...
Teak
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