Italian sculptor, furniture designer and maestro d’arte e mestiere (master of art and craft) Giuseppe Rivadossi is considered one of the 20th century’s leading woodworkers. His hand-carved, mid-century modern furniture — as well as the work of Officina Rivadossi, the firm he cofounded — has been described as poetic, ancient, ethereal and soulful.
Rivadossi was born in 1935 in Monteclana di Nave, where he still lives and works today. He began woodworking at an early age, learning the craft from his father, who founded a carpentry business in 1920. In 1962, Rivadossi took over his father’s workshop and transformed it into an artistic atelier, creating sculptural furniture and objets d’art.
Toward the late 1960s, Rivadossi’s friends and fellow woodworking artists encouraged him to exhibit his wooden sculptures at shows throughout Italy. In 1968, he participated in his first sculpture exhibition, which led to others throughout the 1970s, such as the Triennale di Milano in 1974 and the Biennale di Mentone in 1976. That same year, Rivadossi and several collaborators established Officina Rivadossi, which specialized in wooden objects, sculptures and modern furniture. Pieces included walnut dining room tables, oak sideboards and architectonic dining chairs and armchairs suitable for the home or office.
From the 1980s through the 2000s, Rivadossi’s designs took on a more organic, architectural approach. For instance, his Custodia Lombarda cabinet comprises two doors with hand-carved latticework that gradually reduces size. His decorative boxes with grooved textures, geometric patterns and curved forms also double as desktop sculptures.
In 2013, Officina Rivadossi evolved to become Habito di Giuseppe Rivadossi, which Rivadossi runs with his two sons Emanuele and Clemente. Since then, the furniture firm has shown at numerous exhibitions, including Salone del Mobile di Milano, the London Design Festival, PAD Paris and BRAFA Art Fair, in Brussels. Also, in 2018, Rivadossi received the prestigious Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere award at the Triennale di Milano.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage and contemporary Officina Rivadossi case pieces, tables and dining chairs.
Set of Two Sofa's and Storage Elements by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1970s
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
There is a calm authority to this set by Rivadossi. Two low benches and two integrated storage elements come together in a composition that feels architectural rather than decorative...
Fabric, Oak
1970s Rare Mid Century Two-Seat Sofa, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Velvet fabric in good original condition - cleaned - high of seat 40 cm
Fabric
Italian vintage sofa by 1P, 1970s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian vintage sofa by 1P, 1970s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 207 cm; D= 85 cm; H seduta= 40 cm.
Fabric, Wood
$3,392
H 29.93 in W 63.78 in D 36.62 in
1970s Italian Two-Seat Sofa by Adriano Piazzesi in Chrome and Leatherette
By Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Praha, CZ
A striking two-seat sofa designed by Adriano Piazzesi in Italy during the 1970s. This sculptural piece exemplifies the bold aesthetic of Italian design from the period, combining sof...
Chrome
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Rare Bench in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bench, oak, Italy, design 1980s This lovely bench is a design by Giuseppe Rivadossi. The material used to make this piece is oak, which sh...
Oak
$5,300 / set
H 18.9 in W 20.87 in D 14.18 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi Set of Two Stools in Oak Wood by Officina Rivadossi 1970s
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of two stools in oak wood designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 1970ca. These rare stools have a peculiar structure with visible interlocks that join each compo...
Oak
$32,982 / set
H 29.93 in W 79.93 in D 53.15 in
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Maison Honoré, Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Leather, Bouclé
Pair of Mohair and Silk Striped Sofa's
Located in Spencertown, NY
The upholstery with studs, gimp and fringe, with velvet back and sides.
Mohair, Silk
Comacina Armchair by Giuseppe Rivadossi
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Milan, IT
A testament to contemporary sculptural design, this armchair boasts a monolithic silhouette made of vertical wooden fibers, chiseled and finished by hand with a planer. Displaying a ...
Wood
$2,463Sale Price|19% Off
H 25.6 in W 90.56 in D 35.44 in
Orange chenille sofas, two and three seater, set of 2, 1970s
Located in Manzano, IT
Orange chenille sofas, two and three seater, set of 2, 1970s Wooden frame, plastic feet. The backrest of both sofas has some slight signs of wear due to time. MEASUREMENTS 3-seater...
Chenille, Plastic
$6,950
H 31.7 in W 32.88 in D 27.17 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi 'Rocca' Lounge Chair in Walnut
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 'Rocca' lounge chair, walnut, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi’s Rocca chair is a prime example of Italian craftsmanship from the second ha...
Walnut
$12,700 / set
H 34.06 in W 19.3 in D 19.69 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Set of Six Dining Chairs in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, set of six dining chairs, oak, Italy, 1970s This remarkable group of chairs, designed by Italian sculptor and artisan Giuseppe Rivadossi, ...
Oak
$12,700 / set
H 32.09 in W 19.69 in D 18.71 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Set of Six Dining Chairs in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, set of six dining chairs, oak, Italy, 1970s An exceptional set of chairs by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi. The chai...
Oak
Sold
H 32.29 in W 80.32 in D 33.47 in
Mdcentury walnut sofa by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic wooden sofa by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi. Leather upholstered. The sofa shows the high-level of craft...
Wood