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.
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...
Metal
$3,000Sale Price / set|40% Off
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...
Brass, Steel
$448Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of blue 'Pyramid' lamps designed by Paolo Piva for Mazzega Murano glass
By Mazzega 1946, Paolo Piva
Located in Firenze, FI
Pair of blue 'Pyramid' lamps designed by Paolo Piva for Mazzega (minor defects)." each showing a small chip in the glass as depicted in the last photos." Made of blue Murano glass...
Murano Glass
Colibri floor lamp by Franca Helg, Paolo Piva and Franco Albini for Sirrah
By Sirrah, Paolo Piva, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Athens, Attiki
Italian postmodern floor lamp 1980 designed by Antonio Piva, Franco Albini and Franca Helg in a design studio created by Franco Albini in 1930, today known as "Studio Albini Associat...
Iron
$583Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Italian Space Age "Oliver" White Table Lamp by Paolo Piva for Lumenform
By Lumenform, Paolo Piva
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Italian Space Age "Oliver" white table lamp by Paolo Piva for Lumenform, with rotating three-quarter lampshade allowing to direct the light beam. Includes a chromed head ligh...
Plastic
Stefano Cevoli desk lamp Meridiana by Paolo Piva black chrome
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in DOORWERTH, NL
Table lamp from the 1980ies. Designed in 1983 by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli. This lamp has an internal 220V to 12V transformator. To be used in the US it will need an external 11...
Metal
Halogen Floor and Table Lamp from Stephano Cevoli Gold-Plated, 1980s, Italy
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Rijssen, NL
Minimalist, modern, tall and elegant counterweight halogen floor and wall lamp designed in 1983 by Paolo Francesco Piva. With high quality material and great attention to detail. ...
Gold
Pair Meridiana Lamps by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980s design
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and sophisticated pair of lamps model *Meridiana*, designed by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli in the 1980s. These refined pieces of furniture perfectly embody the language of ...
Metal
$585Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Italian Space Age "Oliver" White Table Lamp by Paolo Piva for Lumenform
By Paolo Piva, Lumenform
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Italian Space Age "Oliver" white table lamp by Paolo Piva for Lumenform, with rotating three-quarter lampshade allowing to direct the light beam. Includes a chromed head ligh...
Plastic
$750Sale Price / item|50% Off
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...
Gold
Meridiana Table Lamp by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli, Italy, 1980s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Stunning "Meridiana" by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli. Made in Italy. The lamp is in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Dimension: diameter 5,90" x 21,30" inches diam ...
Metal
Paolo Piva Meridiana desk lamp for Stefano Cevoli
By Paolo Piva
Located in Montréal, QC
Early Paolo Piva Meridiana lamp for Stefano Cevoli, manufactured in the 1980’s. G-4 12 volt 20 watt halogen bulb. Original G-4 halogen socket. Lamp mar...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
Paolo Piva Large Solid Brass Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful large table lamp fully made in solid brass and completed by a white lampshade. This beautiful lamp was designed by Paolo Piva and produced in Italy in the 1970s. This incr...
Metal, Brass
Paulo Piva Meridiana Desk or Table Lamp for Stefano Cevoli
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern table desk or task lamp, articulating and adjustable design rendered in gunmetal gray metal and plastic, designed by Paolo Piva for St...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamp Paolo Piva Arteluce 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Arteluce
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of Postmodern Italian Model Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamps by Paolo Piva for Arteluce, 1980s Italian wall and ceiling lights by Arteluce, designed by Paolo Piva in the 198...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamp Paolo Piva Arteluce 1980s
By Arteluce, Paolo Piva
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Model Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamps by Paolo Piva for Arteluce, 1980s Italian wall and ceiling lights by Arteluce, designed by Paolo Piva in the 1980s. A ...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamp Paolo Piva Arteluce 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Arteluce
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Model Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamps by Paolo Piva for Arteluce, 1980s Italian wall and ceiling lights by Arteluce, designed by Paolo Piva in the 1980s. A ...
Metal
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 ...
Metal
Pair of Vintage Desk Lamp Lumen Form Oliver by Paolo Piva, 1960
By Paolo Piva
Located in Biella, IT
Lumenform two desk lamp Oliver by Paolo Piva design years ’60 . Good vintage condition.
Plastic
Murano Glass Chandelier Designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning Murano glass chandelier designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, manufactured in the 1970s. The chandelier is composed of 12 thick textured glass elements attached to ...
Murano Glass
$2,525
H 9.85 in Dm 17.72 in
Ceiling Lamp AS41Z by Franco Albini, Franca Helg & Antonio Piva for Sirrah, 1970
By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Ceiling lamp No. designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva and manufactured by Sirrah in 1969. The model is a part of the AM/AS series that includes table lamps, wall ...
Metal
$2,942
H 38.19 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Italian Gold Plated Vintage Modernist Brass 1980s Adjustable Table Lamp by Relco
Located in Marbella, ES
Italian gold plated vintage modernist brass 1980s adjustable table lamp by Relco.
Brass
Table Lamp by Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform
By Lumenform, Claudio Salocchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Table lamp by Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1968. Metal, blown Opal glass. Original EU cord. Recommended Lamping: 120v - 1 Qty E27 Socket w/ a 6...
Glass
$1,348 / set
H 21.66 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Pair of White & Gold Ceramic Table Lamps & Shades by Stefano Cevoli, 1980s
By Stefano Cevoli
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Pair of White & Gold Ceramic Table Lamps & Shades by Stefano Cevoli, Italian, 1980s Vintage pair of white ceramic table lamps with gold accents, including shades that have a gold si...
Ceramic
$492Sale Price|40% Off
H 16.54 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
1980s Design Stefano Cevoli Table Lamp Produced by Vermezzo Made in Italy
By Stefano Cevoli
Located in Krefeld, DE
Very nice Memphis style table lamp from the 1980's Design Stefano Cevoli and produced by Vermezzo, made in Italy. Metal shade with magnet so you can change the shade position as you ...
Metal
$1,294
H 69.69 in W 35.44 in D 7.88 in
Vintage "Yuki" floor lamp by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980
By Stefano Cevoli
Located in Den Haag, NL
Lamp produced in the 1980s by Stefano Cevoli based on a design by Paolo Francesco Piva. model Yuki Hemispherical base in black painted metal. Double stem in black painted metal that ...
Metal
1970s Tulip Murano Glass Pendant Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Kalmar Lighting, Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Large 1970s Italian Mid-Century Organic Modern floral pendant light. Three large and very thick hand blown clear and smoked Murano glass petals are supported by a metal frame. The pe...
Murano Glass
Murano Pendant Light Designed for Mazzega, 1970s
By AVMazzega
Located in Aachen, NRW
Wonderful floral pendant light with Murano glass petals which are supported by a metal frame, made by Mazzega, Italy, 1970s Heavy quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-w...
Murano Glass
Koch & Lowy Chrome Desk Lamp
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
An elegant desk lamp in polished chrome by Koch & Lowy; the tent shade articulates on a ball and socket and further adjusts on a swing-arm.
$647
H 20.87 in Dm 4.53 in
Italian" Meridiana" Table Lamp by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980s
By Stefano Cevoli
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Italian" Meridiana" Table Lamp by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980s Wear consistent with age and use Italian Vintage - Mid Century - Decoration Postmodern adjustable d...
Metal
Murano Glass Chandelier Designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning Murano glass chandelier designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, manufactured in the 1970s. The chandelier is composed of 12 thick textured glass elements attached to ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 18.9 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Open floor lamp designed by Paolo Piva and produced by Lumenform in 1970.
By Paolo Piva, Lumenform
Located in Ravenna, IT
Open floor lamp designed by Paolo Piva and produced for Lumenform in the 1970s. Of Venetian descent, Piva stated that at the core of his work every object should possess great elegan...
Metal
Paolo Piva Pair of Brass Table Lamps, Italy 1970s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning pair of table lamps designed in brass completed by a white lampshade. These gorgeous lamps were designed by Paolo Piva and produced in Italy during the 1970s. These incredi...
Brass, Metal
Desk lamp Meridiana by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli, Italy, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
The "Meridiana" table lamp is an amazing design by the Austrian-Italian architect and designer, Paolo Piva, for Stefano Cevoli in the 1980s. This versatile lamp can be used as a read...
Metal
Sold
H 21.26 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Desk lamp Meridiana by Paolo Piva for Stefano Cevoli, Italy, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
The "Meridiana" table lamp is an amazing design by the Austrian-Italian architect and designer, Paolo Piva, for Stefano Cevoli in the 1980s. This versatile lamp can be used as a read...
Metal
Sold
H 3.55 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Three blue 'Pyramid' lamps designed by Paolo Piva for Mazzega - Murano glass
By Mazzega 1946, Paolo Piva
Located in Firenze, FI
Three "Pyramid" pendant lamps (Italy) designed by Paolo Piva for Mazzega. Made of blue Murano glass with a simple geometric shape, but featuring grooves inside that provide movemen...
Murano Glass
Floor Lamp Meridiana S. Cevoli Aluminium Italy 1980s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Milano, IT
Reflected light floor lamp with adjustable inclination stem and adjustable diffuser; enamelled metal and aluminium.
Metal, Aluminum
1980s Gold-Plated Halogen Floor Lamp ' Yuki ' from Stephano Cevoli , Italia
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Minimalist, modern, tall and elegant counterweight halogen floor lamp designed in 1983 by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli . Well made with prime quality material and great a...
Gold
Sold
H 42.92 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
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...
Metal
Open Table Lamp by Paolo Piva for Lumenform, 1980s
By Lumenform, Paolo Piva
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Open table lamp designed by Paolo Piva for the Italian manufacturer Lumenform. The model is made of a mesh structure in metal with an inverted pyramid-sh...
Metal
Paolo Piva "Meridiana" Desk or Task Lamp for Stefano Cevoli, Italy, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern table desk or task lamp, articulating and adjustable design white painted steel, designed by Paolo Piva for Stefao Cevoli, Italy, 1980s.
Steel
Sold
H 16 in W 16 in D 6 in
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...
Steel
Sold
H 21.26 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Gold-Plated Metal Italian Table Lamp 'Meridiana' for Stefano Cevoli, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, Stefano Cevoli
Located in Roma, IT
'Meridiana' gold-plated metal halogen table lamp by Stefano Cevoli, Italy 1980s, designed by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli in the 1980s. This Minimalist, modern, tall an...
Metal