Paolo Piva Furniture
Italian, 1950-2017
Juxtaposing sleek curves with angular, geometric shapes, the sophisticated minimalism of Paolo Piva’s furniture made him one of the most significant mid-century modern designers. Using understated, classic materials such as patent leather and glass, he created furniture that is as timeless as the buildings he designed as an internationally renowned architect. Piva’s armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture pieces were built to withstand changing tastes.
Born in 1950 in Adria in northern Italy, Piva pursued his career in design and architecture at the International University of the Arts in Venice under renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. While a student, he also worked with the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna and the Institute of History and Architecture in Venice to create a major exhibition on Viennese architecture during the socialist period.
Gaining notice during his graduate studies in Rome, Piva established himself as an up-and-coming architect. In 1980, he emerged on the international scene with an acclaimed design for the Kuwait Embassy in Qatar, which led to design commissions for buildings and factories across Western Europe. At the same time, Piva began designing furniture that reflected the clean lines and artful forms of his building style. His most popular piece was the Pyramid coffee table, with inverted pyramids supporting a glass top.
A lifelong academic, Piva began teaching at the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in 1988, becoming a full professor in 1991. He also collaborated with top brands, including Poliform, de Sede, B&B Italia, Wittmann and Riva 1920, designing center tables, club chairs and other furniture items. He continued his design pursuits throughout his life, traveling to conferences and exhibitions internationally up until his death in 2017.
Piva gained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro award in 1987 and was one of the architects selected to design the Science and Technology Park in Vienna in 1995. His work has been exhibited at Galerie Ulysses in Vienna and the Architekturgalerie München in Munich, as well as in the VI Mostra internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Buenos Aires.
On 1stDibs, delve into the graceful simplicity and elegant geometry of Paolo Piva’s lighting, tables, seating, and other furniture and collectibles.
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Creator: Paolo Piva
1980s, Floor Lamp Meridiana ' Terra ' by Paolo Piva, Italy
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Giant oversize Meridiana Terra floor lamp measure up against Meridiana table lamp.
The table one ( Vermezzo MI ) with similar motif come with order. Rated at 20 watts. Togle swit...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Colibrì Table Lamp by Albini, Helg, Piva for Sirrah, 1983
By Paolo Piva, Franca Helg, Sirrah
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This plastic lamp can be switched on/off just by touching the triangle cover on the top of the lamp. It remains in good condition: light wear consistent ...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Giovannetti, Contemporary 2 Seater Sofa from the 1970s by P. Piva Cream "Boss"
By Paolo Piva
Located in Casalguidi, IT
Boss is directed to a public who loves "objects" with distinguishing character and a strong personality. After years of rigorous minimalism, Giovannetti brings back the forceful sinuous lines and extraordinary comfort of a design that has even achieved fame in films and television.
Available in different colors and sizes.
Frame in tubular steel, padding in polyurethane foam covered with protective lining.
Seat and back cushion/armrest: polyurethane foam pad-
ding, covered with acrylic thermo-welded fibre Springing with steel plasticized bogie and spiral springs Feet...
Category
1970s Italian Other Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric
B & B Italia Armchair Set by Paolo Piva (2 pieces)
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Budapest, HU
B&B Italia armchair set, desiged by Paolo Piva.
The sets are unique for their curved backrest.
The covers are red leather, that need some refurnishing.
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Extremely Rare Vintage Sofa by Paolo Piva for De Sede Swiss 1970s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very rare vintage 3-seat sofa in its original black leather.
Stunning patina.
Designed in the 1990s by Paolo Piva for De Sede Swiss.
Very good condition with normal signs of use...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather
B&B Italy Black Leather 1980s Sofa Designed by Paolo Piva "Model ARCA"
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1980s two-seat sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. Black leather upholstery with perforated accents. Circular glass side tables swivel out from under the arm rests. The back r...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
De Sede DS-218/05 Stool in Black Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By De Sede, Paolo Piva
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather
20th Century B&B Italia Coffee Table By Paolo Piva, c.1980
By Paolo Piva
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A B&B Italia coffee table by designed by Paolo Piva, made in Italy around the 1980s. This elegant coffee table consists of a lacquered wood two-tier top over a travertine base. The d...
Category
20th Century Italian Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Early Paolo Piva "Meridiana" Desk or Task Lamp for Stefano Cevoli, Italy, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Miami, FL
Original early edition Postmodern table desk or task lamp, articulating and adjustable design rendered in creamy off-white plastic and painted st...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Steel
Gold-Plated Halogen Table Lamp 'Meridiana' by Stephano Cevoli, 1980s, Italia
By Paolo Piva
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Modern, elegant Minimalist table lamp designed by Paolo Piva in very good condition.
Measures: 20.5 inches high.
Regular two pin halogen light bulb ra...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Gold
Arcadia Leather Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Set of four dining chairs by designer Paolo Piva, manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy in the 1980s.
The chairs have a high back, which is connected to the seat with a special metal ...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather
Paolo Piva ‘Re Quardo’ Coffee Table in Black Lacquer and Travertine, B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva
Located in London, GB
"re Quadro" coffee table By Paolo Piva For B&b Italia, 1980s.
Nothing touches, nothing clashes, which gives this piece of furniture a completely peaceful yet strong expression.
In e...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Set of Two Armchairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Praha, CZ
Design armchairs designed by Paolo Piva. The iron mechanism on the back leg allows easy movement of the chair on the floor. Very good original condition.
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Steel
Stefano Cevoli Midcentury Gold-Plated Metal Italian Table Lamp 'Meridiana' 1980s
By Stefano Cevoli, Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury 'Meridiana' gold-plated metal halogen table lamp. This fantastic piece was designed by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli in Italy during the 1980s.
This M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Paolo Piva Open White Metal Floor Lamp for Lumenform, 1970s, Italy
By Paolo Piva, Lumenform
Located in The Hague, NL
Open table lamp designed by paolo piva for the italian manufacturer lumenform, 1970 italy.
The model is made of a mesh structure in white metal with an inverted pyramid-shaped plas...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva with Square Glass and Metal Structure
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Renens, CH
Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva with square glass and metal structure
This beautiful and minimalist coffee table is composed by a glass top with rounded edges sitting on an almo...
Category
1980s European Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Customizable Wittmann Aura Armchair Designed by Paolo Piva
By Wittmann, Paolo Piva
Located in New York, NY
Aura is inseparable from Wittmann. This compact armchair added a new chapter to the history of furniture design in 1983 following a partnership with Paolo Piva. An integral part of t...
Category
2010s Austrian Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Armchair “Arcadia” by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Vienna, AT
Armchair in the rare version with curved backrest designed by Paolo Piva. The seat cover is manufactured of dark blue leather while all metal parts are of blackened metal, emphasizin...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Customizable Upholstery Wittmann Aura Sofa by Paolo Piva
By Wittmann, Paolo Piva
Located in New York, NY
Aura is inseparable from Wittmann. This compact armchair added a new chapter to the history of furniture design in 1983 following a partnership with Paolo Piva. An integral part of t...
Category
2010s Austrian Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric
De Sede DS-218/55 Barstool in Off White Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather
Orange Armchair by Paolo Piva for Wittmann, Model Aura
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Schagen, NL
Circular forms combined with straight, this elegant armchair was designed by Paolo Piva for Wittmann, Austria.
The chair features an orange and yellow upholstery and black feet with a silver colored...
Category
Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Glass Top and Metal Base Italian Coffee Table
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Made of black lacquered metal structure geometric base and glass top.
Paolo Piva: Born in Adria in 1950, he be...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
De Sede DS-218/15 Stool in Black Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather
Wittmann Black Leather Armchair Model Ducale Cube Design by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather Armchair by Austrian - Italian architect Paolo Piva.
Model Ducale manufactured by Wittmann.
Black Semianiline leather. The design is a cube design with little curves.
2 ch...
Category
Early 2000s Austrian Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather, Upholstery
Paolo Piva, 4 Leather Armchairs, Edition Wittmann, circa 1980
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paolo Piva, 4 leather armchairs, Edition Wittmann, circa 1980.
Category
1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
Paolo Piva, 1 armchair Edition WITTMANN circa 1980
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paolo Piva, 1armchair, Edition WITTMANN circa 1980
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
De Sede Leather Lounge Chair Armchair Creme Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather armchair designed by Paolo Piva.
Great comfort and a Classic timeless design by De Sede.
With patina on the leather and beec...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Low in Black Lacquered Wooden Table Travertine Marble Base Paolo Piva Quadro B&B
By Paolo Piva
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Low in Black Lacquered Wooden Table Travertine Marble Base Paolo Piva Quadro B&B 1980.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Metal
Tavolino Paolo Piva Alanda B&B
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Napoli, NA
Bellissimo tavolino originale vintage
Di Paolo Piva Modello Alanda
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Iron
Fabulous Paolo Piva Brass Steel Leather King-Size Platform Bed
By Paolo Piva
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous adjustable Adia platform bed designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in the 1980s. The bed is constructed of cast steel and textured powder coated slate grey with brushed bras...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Italian modern Black metal glass Coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black metal and glass Coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B, 1980s
Coffee table mod. Alanda with square top in tr...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Metal
B & B Italia Arcadia Dining Leather Chairs by Paolo Piva - Set of 6
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions:
High back chairs
H 44.3" / W 18.3" / D 22" / Seat interior depth: 16.2"/ Height from floor to seat: 19.8" Back height: 25.4"
Low back chairs
H 35" / W 18.3" / D 22" /Seat...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Coffe Table Paolo Piva Alanda B&B Italia Mid Century 80s Italy Design Modern
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Berlin, BE
Alanda by Paolo Piva is a coffee table produced by C&B, today B&B Italia, in 1981. Its design follows a precise architectural construction and is endowed with a characteristic formal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Steel
Coffe Table Paolo Piva Alanda B&B Italia Mid Century 80s Italy Design Modern
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Berlin, BE
Alanda by Paolo Piva is a coffee table produced by C&B, today B&B Italia, in 1981. Its design follows a precise architectural construction and is endowed with a characteristic formal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Steel
Wittmann Leather Armchair Chair Model Alta Design by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather armchair by Austrian, Italian architect Paolo Piva.
Model Alta manufactured by Wittmann.
Cognac aniline leather. The design is a basic design from the model aura.
Wittmann...
Category
1990s Austrian Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Wittmann Leather Armchair Chair Model Alta Design by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather armchair by Austrian - Italian architect Paolo Piva.
Model Alta manufactured by Wittmann.
Blue aniline leather. The design is a basic design from the model aura.
Wittmann ...
Category
1990s Austrian Modern Paolo Piva Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Paolo Piva furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Paolo Piva furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paolo Piva furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 84 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 8 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paolo Piva were created in the modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Giotto Stoppino, Anna Castelli Ferrieri, and Giovanni Offredi. Prices for Paolo Piva furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $398 and can go as high as $15,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,464.