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
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Zeno Desk and Spring Chair, Italy, 1990s
By Massimo Scolari, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Yonkers, NY
A distinctive Italian postmodern desk and matching office chair designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti during the 1990s. The set combines the architecturally conceived Zeno desk w...
Metal
$7,990
H 27.96 in W 98.04 in D 42.92 in
Large Desk T333 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a magnificent large vintage executive desk. Designed by Italians Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, it exudes timeless prestige. The desktop is created from a singl...
Aluminum
Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Italian Walnut Asymmetrical Desk
By Bertha Schaefer, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Diminutive midcentury angled student desk in Italian walnut designed by Bertha Schaefer for M. Singer & Sons (Model 2162 - USA, ca. 1955). Often co-attributed to Gio Ponti, who also...
Metal
$3,195
H 48 in W 34 in D 21 in
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern “Profile” Highboy Dresser w/ Drop-Down Desk
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage design...
Metal
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
$3,196Sale Price|31% Off
H 31.3 in W 45.67 in D 23.23 in
Italian Mid Century Table Desk and chair designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Desk and Chair Designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s This stunning Italian Mid-Century desk and chair set was designed by the renowned designer Vittorio Dassi ...
Maple, Teak
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
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
$4,337 / 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
John Van Koert Drexel Profile K12 Gentlemen’s Chest Dresser
By Drexel, Henredon, John Van Koert, Karl Johan
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
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 78.75 in D 48.5 in
Michael Graves Unique Burl Maple Pedestal Vitrine Desk, 1990c.
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Chicago, IL
Michael Graves Unique Burl Maple Pedestal Vitrine Desk, 1990c. One-of-a-kind vitrine desk by architect and designer Michael Graves. The piece features a rectangular burl maple veneer...
Steel
$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
$8,742 / set
H 32.29 in W 42.92 in D 23.23 in
Ria & Youri Augousti Shagreen dressing table and stool - France, 1990s
By R & Y Augousti
Located in London, GB
This dressing table and stool by Ria & Youri Augousti brings together the designers’ characteristic use of opulent materials with their distinctly sculptural approach to furniture. I...
Shagreen
Gianni Moscatelli Desk for Formanova, 1970 Italy
By Formanova, Gianni Moscatelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Formanova desk by Gianni Moscatelli. Original Formanova tag dated and signed 1970, Italy. Newly refinished in a high gloss Ebony polished finish. Right side of desk has a fl...
Stainless Steel
Beautiful Low Slung Custom Made 6 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous custom made low slung sophisticated chest of drawers having beautiful artisan craftsmanship. 6 smoothly operating drawers with impressive dovetailing. Heidi
Walnut
Rare Modern Italian G.C Columbo Desk with Chair
By Tonon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant contemporary modern desk with a black lacquer finish and burl drawer fronts. This ultra-sleek Italian desk has four drawers ensuring plenty of room for storage and workspa...
Fabric, Wood, Burl, Lacquer
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