Skip to main content

Paolo Piva Side Chairs

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.

to
3
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
2
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
54
122
117
97
51
Creator: Paolo Piva
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather

2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather

By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia

Located in Philadelphia, PA

These are Arcadia armless dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to 2005. They feature a simplistic modern design ...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1990s Arcadia Dining Side Chair by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in Ivory Leather
1990s Arcadia Dining Side Chair by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in Ivory Leather

1990s Arcadia Dining Side Chair by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in Ivory Leather

By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an ‘Arcadia’ armless dining chair, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia in 1989. This piece was produced in Italy around the same time. It features a simplis...

Category

1990s Italian Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia High Back Dining Side Chair in Leather
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia High Back Dining Side Chair in Leather

2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia High Back Dining Side Chair in Leather

By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva

Located in Philadelphia, PA

These are Arcadia armless high back dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to the 2000s. They feature a simplistic...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Related Items
Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow
Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow

Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow

$3,270 / item

H 31 in W 18 in D 16 in

Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow

By Mel Smilow

Located in New York, NY

Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush dining side chair is classically midcentury. This collection...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Walnut

B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4
B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4

B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4

$3,597 / set

H 35.04 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in

B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4

By Matteo Grassi

Located in Munich, Bavaria

Paolo Piva designed this dining chairs for B&B Italia. Model Arcadia in heavenblue leather colour and the insides from the feet are in black plastic. It fits well with memphis design...

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

$1,800

H 32.35 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

By Cassina, Mario Bellini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

$1,800

H 32.35 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

By Mario Bellini, Cassina

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg features a black ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair
Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair

Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair

$720Sale Price|20% Off

H 44.75 in W 18.5 in D 23 in

Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair

By Milo Baughman

Located in Wayne, NJ

Milo Baughman curved cane back dining or side chair. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro Area, please contact us with your delivery ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio
Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio

Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio

$914Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 30.32 in W 24.81 in D 22.05 in

Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio

By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia

Located in Highclere, Newbury

Pair of white metal mesh and fabric B&B Italia Iuta side chairs by Antonio Citterio. Antonia Citterio’s work encompasses furniture, architecture and interiors and spans the last 30 years; most notably with B&B Italia, Vitra and Kartell. The Iuta collection is a B&B Italia icon that dates back to the late 1980s and has been produced and re-introduced over the years in a number of versions. The seating range uses...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Karl Erik Ekselius for JOC Dining Desk Side Chair
Karl Erik Ekselius for JOC Dining Desk Side Chair

Karl Erik Ekselius for JOC Dining Desk Side Chair

By JOC Mobler Vetlanda, Karl-Erik Ekselius

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury Danish modern style side chair, made in Sweden for JOC, designed by Karl Erik Ekselius. The chair has a leather seat, and backrest, on a solid wood (probably dark stain te...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

$1,800

H 32.35 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina

By Cassina, Mario Bellini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

$1,678Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

By Paolo Piva

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy ...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

$1,582Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in

Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6

By Paolo Piva

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy Di...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Side Dining Chair Modern Contemporary Hand Made in Blackened Steel & Leather
Side Dining Chair Modern Contemporary Hand Made in Blackened Steel & Leather

Side Dining Chair Modern Contemporary Hand Made in Blackened Steel & Leather

By J.M. Szymanski

Located in Bronx, NY

CHAIR NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 Inspired by a Spanish toreador, this sleek combination of blackened steel and thick bull leather. Can be modified to any seat height. Custom si...

Category

2010s American Modern Paolo Piva Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Paolo Piva side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Paolo Piva side chairs 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 side chairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by and B&B Italia. Prices for Paolo Piva side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $975 and can go as high as $975, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $975.