If an Italian soldier named Renzo Frau had never traveled to Great Britain and set eyes on a Chesterfield armchair, it is unlikely that legendary handcrafted furniture maker Poltrona Frau and its classic sofas, armchairs and vanities would exist today.
Upon completing his service in the Italian army during the early 1900s, the Sardinian-born Frau worked for faux leather manufacturing company Dermoide Patent in Turin. While at the firm, he was sent to England, where he became enamored with leather Chesterfield armchairs. Intrigued and inspired by their rolled arms and tall, imposing profile, Frau returned to Turin, where he started his own leather-upholstered furniture company, Poltrona Frau, in 1912. He began to import the sumptuous Edwardian seating for the high-end domestic market.
Frau made slight modifications to the English seat that he’d so admired, and among Poltrona Frau’s first successful designs was an iconic armchair in 1919 appropriately called the Chester. Believed to have been custom-made for Filiberto Ludovico of Savoy, Duke of Pistoia, the Chester reflected the era’s emerging Art Deco style. Frau’s chair was comfortable and functional, and he implemented the traditional upholstery technique capitonné, which refers to stuffing that is buttoned. The Chester featured a pouf and an arm that was possibly included to hold the Duke’s ashtray. The seat’s high-quality craftsmanship and integration of exquisite full-grain leather made it covetable among Italy’s elite.
When Renzo Frau died in 1926, Poltrona Frau was appointed furniture supplier to Italy’s royal family. The company furnished grand hotels, designed the interiors for Expo Turin 1928 and outfitted an Italian transatlantic ocean liner.
For more than a century, Poltrona Frau has collaborated with hundreds of leading architects and designers from around the world. It issued such iconic mid-century modern pieces as Gio Ponti’s Dezza armchair, the 1960s-era Dilly Dally vanity by Italian designer Luigi Massoni, stackable tubular steel Movie armchairs by Italian architect Mario Marenco and French architect Jean-Marie Massaud’s sleek, angular Kennedee office sofa.
Poltrona Frau has established showrooms all over the world and creates interiors for Italian automotive brands Maserati and Ferrari. The company is owned by Haworth and continues to introduce innovative, handmade home furnishings while occasionally gazing back into time — its Chester line, a modular seating system by Poltrona Frau CEO Nicola Coropulis and Roberto Lazzeroni, is a contemporary interpretation of the founder’s original Chesterfield-style seating.
Find vintage Poltrona Frau club chairs, coffee tables, desks and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leatherette, mirrored glass, plastic, brass, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1968 Outstanding It...
Metal, Brass
L. Massoni Dilly Dally White Leather Vanity Table by Poltrona Frau, Italy 1960s
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning white “Dilly Dally” dressing table designed by Luigi Massoni and produced by Poltrona Frau in Italy during the 1960s. Fully origin...
Metal
20th Century Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Dilly Dally Vanitiy Dressing Table
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Turin, Turin
Dressing table model Dilly Dally designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1960s. The dressing table is composed of two pieces, one round armchair (which alone measures 74 x 66 ...
Metal
Luigi Massoni Dilly Dally Vanity Table and Chair, Poltrona Frau, Italy, 1960s
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare Italian "Dilly Dally" vanity by Luigi Massoni and manufactured by Poltrona Frau Italy in the 1960s. Newly upholstered in off white leatherette. Modular vanity fully upholstere...
Faux Leather
Dilly Dally Vanity by Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau, Italy 1968
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful dressing table designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in original white leatherette, Italy 1968. This beautifully designed and practical vanity set seamlessly combine...
Metal
$2,564Sale Price|50% Off
H 56.7 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Marble
1960s Fully Restored Danish Teak Dressing, Vanity Table
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish teak dressing - vanity table from the 1960s. The vanity table features a large adjustable mirror, an original black glass table top and 5 spacious drawers with room for wha...
Teak
$2,331
H 48.04 in W 39.38 in D 15.16 in
1960s Small Elegant Fully Restored Rosewood Vanity Table in Excellent Condition
By Niels Clausen
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s small elegant fully restored rosewood vanity table in excellent condition The well designed and manufactored table is flexible and can be turned into a small desk by removing ...
Rosewood
$455Sale Price|50% Off
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Birch, Mahogany
$993
H 25.6 in W 40.95 in D 15.75 in
Vanity dressing table by Raymond Loewy by Doubinsky Frères in the 1960s
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Dressing table - Raymond Loewy - model "DF2000" - Doubinsky Frères - 1960s Wear Consistent with age And Use : See Photos Compagnie de L’Esthétique Industrielle (CEI) was a design co...
Mirror, Plastic, Acrylic, Wood
Italian Art Deco White Parchment Vanity
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Art Deco white parchment diminutive triangular form lady's vanity /dressing table with a drawer centered by 2 side drawers and 2 doors. Parchment is separating from the piece
Wood, Parchment Paper
Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wicker dressing table / writing table with stool. It is oval shaped with a raised galleried back. There is one center drawer. This very ...
Wicker
$1,150 / set
H 45 in W 29.5 in D 19.75 in
1960s Swedish White Lacqured Vanity Set by Torsten Totti Laakso for Asko
By Asko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century white lacquered " AKKA " vanity set by Finnish designer Torsten Totti Laakso for the Swedish Asko company, 1960s.The company was known for their high quality pieces and t...
Fabric, Glass, Wood
$6,053
H 70.87 in W 75.6 in D 23.63 in
Space Age Vanity Table by Cabinetmaker MB Italy, White Lacquer, 1970
By MB Italy
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind dressing table, space age style, 70s, with great influence of Art Deco aesthetics. In white lacquered wood, with a black marble effect fiberglass top. Large circular mirror in the upper part and the storage part is divided into two drawers on each side. With lighting in the upper and lower fin shapes. A piece of great sophistication and glamour, very difficult to find. It has a plate with the name of the Italian manufacturer DBM. The period known as the Space Age or Space Age was the post Atomic Age, that is, the late 50's and early 70's. It is part of the “stylings” that reigned in the US during the 20th century. The concept of an optimistic world based on a possible "Earth of Tomorrow" reigned by the dominance of atomic energy and space travel. This "Styling" is inspired by the North American space race, but above all, the aesthetics based on Science Fiction, space satellites, helmets, ships, the effect of weightlessness and a "cinematic" proposal of a new style. of life of the future. Movies like Barbarella 1968, James Bond, Space Odyssey 2001...
Lacquer, Wood, Fiberglass, Mirror
$2,051Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 35.44 in D 18.12 in
Minimal Vanity Italian Design MIM Production Rosewood
By Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimal vanity Italian design MIM production, pouff 40 cm height cm.75 width, 45 cm depth, height of vanity with mirror opened cm.114.
Fabric, Mirror, Laminate, Rosewood
Decorative Metal Vanity and Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern metal vanity and chair with tufted vinyl seat cushion. This vanity features a frosted glass tabletop and an adjustable mirror. Elaborate, delicate scroll-work ador...
Metal
Mirror Vanity
Located in København, København
French vintage mirror vanity with wing mirrors and a drawer. The vanity has a lovely curved table top and is in very good condition - it has patina but no nicks or cuts.
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set With Table and Chair in Beige Alcantara
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, alcantara, mirrored glass, fiberglass, brass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designed by L...
Steel
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set With Table and Chair in White Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, steel, mirror, leatherette, fiberglass, Italy, design 1968 Outstanding Italian dre...
Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set With Table and Chair in Red Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, steel, mirror, leatherette, fiberglass, Italy, design 1968 Outstanding Italian dre...
Steel
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, mirror, leatherette, fiberglass, brass, Italy, design 1968 Outstanding Italian dress...
Brass
Sold
H 29.34 in Dm 25.79 in
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set with Table and Chair in Red Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, steel, mirror, leatherette, fiberglass, Italy, design 1968 Outstanding Italian dre...
Steel
'Dilly Dally' Modular Vanity Table and Chair
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, 'Dilly Dally' vanity set, Metal, mirror, leatherette, fiberglass, Italy, 1968. Make-up table designed by the Italian de...
Metal
Luigi Massoni Poltrona Frau Brown Faux Fur Vanity
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in North Charleston, SC
Fun Poltroon Frau brown faux fur dressing table. Designed by Luigi Massoni in the 1970s. Single unit that folds out and has a stand alone stool. On wheels, featuring a mirror, glass ...
Faux Fur, Glass, Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 48.43 in Dm 25.99 in
Dilly Dally Vanity with lamp by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1968
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful dressing table designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in original white leatherette with original lamp, Italy 1968.. This beautifully designed and practical vanity se...
Metal
Toillette with armchair Dilly Dally brown 70s by Luigi Massoni for Frau
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Outstanding Italian toilet designed by Luigi Massoni for poltrona Frau in the 1960s. The armchair and table are upholstered in leather. The toilet can be folded by integrating the ch...
Metal
Sold
H 48.43 in Dm 25.99 in
Dilly Dally Vanity in leather by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1968
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful dressing table designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in original white leather, Italy 1968.. This beautifully designed and practical vanity set seamlessly combines s...
Metal
Mid century vanity cabinet by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, 1970s
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very 'seventies' make up cabinet on wheels with integrated mirrors, lights, a drawer and glass shelves, complete with stool which is mostly missing. ...
Faux Fur, Mirror, Wood
Vanity Mod. Dilly Daily by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, 1968
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Brussels, BE
Vanity Mod. Dilly Daily by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, 1968
Leather