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.
Postmodern Italian Le Stelle 1560 Ceiling or Wall Lamp Paolo Piva Arteluce 1980s
By Arteluce, Paolo Piva
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 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
1960s Gino Sarfatti Seguso Bubble Glass Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Arteluce
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti, Archimede Seguso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Gino Sarfatti Seguso Bubble Glass Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Arteluce Executed in hand-blown bubbled Seguso glass on a black painted metal mount. Th...
Metal
$1,824
H 12.6 in Dm 16.54 in
Castiglioni Large Chrome "Light Ball" Wall or Ceiling Lamp, Flos, Italy 1960s
By Arteluce, Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century "Light Ball' sconce or ceiling lamp in chrome designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos in Italy during the 1960s. This is the largest versions of the light ba...
Metal, Chrome
1980s Staff Leuchten German Wall or Ceiling Lamp with Custom Frame
By Staff Leuchten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Staff Leuchten produced this wall and ceiling fixture in Germany during the 1980s. The lamp features a cylindrical perforated metal shade finished in white enamel, originally designe...
Metal, Enamel
Art Deco Ceiling Lamp, 1980s, Germany
By Otto Wagner
Located in Hannover, DE
This beautiful ceiling lamp is an absolute classic design all the way back in the art deco period. The lamp a very pleasant and healthy light. This flush mount ceiling lamp is manuf...
Metal, Brass
Glass ceiling or wall lamp italy around 1970s
Located in Wien, Au
Glass ceiling or wall lamp italy around 1970s The 4th and 5th photo shows the lamp as a wall lamp Original condition
Metal
Vintage ice murano glass ceiling lamp Italy 1980s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage ice murano glass ceiling lamp made in Italy in the 1980s. The lamp is in very good vintage condition, with no damage. Dimensions: Width: 43 cm / 16.9 inches Height: 11 cm /...
Murano Glass, Wood
1970s XXL Ufo Wall or Ceiling Lamp from Staff
By Dieter Witte, Motoko Ishii, Staff Leuchten, Arteluce, Sölken Leuchten
Located in München, DE
Very beautiful and very large wall or ceiling lamp from the 1970s. Nice reduced design. A wonderful light is created. Manufacturer: Staff Condition: Very good vintage condition wi...
Metal
$3,000Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 74 in W 12 in D 12 in
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
1960s Arteluce Italian Ceiling Light Plafonnier Gino Sarfatti Milan
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Arteluce single Ceiling Lamp Plafonnier Milan Italy Round metal light flush ceiling mount. Maker label Arteluce Attributed to Gino Sarfatti. 8 lamps...
Metal
Vintage murano ceiling lamp by "La Murrina", Italy 1980s
By La Murrina
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Original murano ceiling lamp by La Murrina made in Italy in the 1980s. La Murrina is a symbol of excellence in design with unique glass products “Made in Murano”. Thanks to its stron...
Murano Glass
Italian Ceiling Lamp
By Temde Leuchten, J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo, Rupert Nikoll, Arteluce
Located in München, DE
Exceptional Italian ceiling lamp from the 1950s. Very decorative and of high quality. Wonderful design and an asset to any home. Condition: Very good vintage condition with slight ...
Metal
$10,826 / set
H 2.76 in Dm 15.75 in
Gino Sarfatti Model 3001 Ceiling Lamps for Arteluce, Italy, 1950s (Set of 3)
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Three circular ceiling lamps make up the group, two at forty centimetres in diameter and a smaller one at thirty, each no more than seven centimetres deep. The white-lacquered alumin...
Aluminum