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
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
Six-Drawer Walnut Low Dresser / Credenza, C. 1955.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome mid-century walnut dresser distinguished by its richly figured and bookmatched veneered drawer fronts that create a striking sense of symmetry and natural movement. The wa...
Walnut
$2,150Sale Price|43% Off
H 31.5 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Dresser Attributed to Edmond J. Spence in Birch Wood
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Trenton, NJ
Elegance, craftsmanship, and Scandinavian modernism come together in this striking Edmond Spence attributed bedroom dresser. Designed with both form and function in mind, this Swedis...
Wood, Birch
$3,195
H 48 in W 34 in D 21 in
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern “Profile” Highboy Dresser w/ Drop-Down Desk
By Drexel, John Van Koert
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
$2,495
H 32 in W 52 in D 21 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Dresser
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern dresser or credenza By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1961 Sculpted walnut, with original hardware. Measures: 52"W x...
Walnut
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
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
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern “Profile” 3-Drawer Dresser
By Drexel, John Van Koert
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...
Walnut
$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
John Kapel Low Eight Drawer Dresser in Walnut
By John Kapel, Glenn of California
Located in Berkeley, CA
This low eight-drawer dresser was designed by John Kapel and produced by Glenn of California in the USA during the 1960s. Built in solid walnut, the long case offers eight drawers of...
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
John Van Koert Drexel Profile K12 Gentlemen’s Chest Dresser
By Drexel, Henredon, Karl Johan, John Van Koert
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
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