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.
Pair of solid wood stools by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare pair of solid wood stools by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy, 1970s. These are sculptural works, created by one of the most sophisticated Italian manufacturers...
Wood
Giuseppe Rivadossi Set of Two Stools in Oak Wood by Officina Rivadossi 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe 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
$1,784 / set
H 18.9 in W 22.84 in D 17.72 in
Pair of 1950s Italian Stools by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova
By Formanova, Gianni Moscatelli
Located in London, London
Pair of Stools by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova A striking pair of stools designed by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, Italy, circa 1950s. Defined by their sculptural, X-shaped bl...
Steel
Pair of Italian 1950's Briar Wood Stools
Located in New York, NY
A pair of fine Italian 1950's briar wood stools, the legs elegantly tapered. The seat newly upholstered in a cream colored linen. Italy, circa 1950 Size: 17 1/2" high x 23 1/2" wi...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Compas Wood Counter Stools, Italy
By Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of compas counter stools or high chairs, wood and rope. In the mood of Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, Le Corbusier, Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Gio Ponti, Osvaldo Borsani.
Wood, Rope
$5,820 / set
H 39.38 in W 16.93 in D 19.69 in
Six High-Back Dining Chairs in the Style of Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Introducing a sculptural set of six high-back dining chairs, reminiscent of the raw elegance often found in Italian Brutalism. Executed in the style of Giuseppe Rivadossi, these chai...
Wood
Bar Stools Handcrafted in Burr Wood 1970s
Located in London, GB
Three handcrafted bar stools in Burr Elm wood 1970s. These unique stools have been handmade individually, therefore each stool is unique with a freeform shape seat using the natural contours of the wood. The voluptuous four legged high stools have a rustic alpine...
Steel
$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 Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina 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
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
$5,641 / set
H 31.5 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Set of Two Armchairs by Giuseppe Rivadossi in Leather and Slavonian Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
These exquisite armchairs, crafted by the renowned Italian designer Giuseppe Rivadossi in the late 1960s, exemplify mid-century elegance with a distinct artisanal touch. Made from hi...
Leather, Oak
$2,865 / set
H 17.92 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Set of 4 Thonet Style Stools in Lacquered Wood and Webbing 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a wonderful set of Thonet style stools in black lacquered bentwood and webbing. Made in Europe in the 1970s. Very elegant and timeless design that fits in almost every inte...
Wood, Bentwood
Miguel Arruda Pine Stool Pair Solid Wood Brutalist Design Portugal 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
A sculptural pair of solid pine stools attributed to Portuguese designer Miguel Arruda, dating from the 1970s. These pieces reflect a strong brutalist influence, where mass, proporti...
Pine
$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
A set of two S01 Stools by Pierre Chapo, France, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Set of S01 stools by Pierre Chapo. In 1962 Pierre Chapo set out to modernize the farm stool with a reinterpretation of its traditional design. The S01 keeps the robust and rustic l...
Elm