Poltronova is known for embracing the creativity that opposites can introduce to a space. Its radical modernist furniture and lighting fixtures are simultaneously grounded in classic aesthetics and inspired by what were then new and provocative artistic movements in mid-century Italy, when the company was founded. This tension resulted in unique and extraordinary pieces at the manufacturer, from eccentric, glove-shaped armchairs to striking dining tables that feature a mix of materials and textures.
Italian designer Sergio Cammilli founded Poltronova in Tuscany in 1957. That same year, it won the Compasso d’Oro for the Panchetto chair designed by Luciano Nustrini. Revolutionary Italian architect Ettore Sottsass — a maestro of postmodern design who would later establish the Memphis Group — came on board as an art director in 1958. Poltronova manufactured many of his furniture and ceramic designs. Sottsass’s lighting, seating and other works for Poltronova showcase the designer’s bold experimentation with solid wood, glass, metal and laminate materials.
Other established names in Italian furniture design collaborated with Poltronova’s Sottsass and Cammilli, including Giovanni Michelucci, Gae Aulenti and Angelo Mangiarotti. However, the company truly set itself apart in its collaborations with Superstudio and Archizoom Associati, groups that were part of an irreverent, avant-garde movement in art and design that took shape during the 1960s in Florence, Turin and Milan. Collectives associated with the movement — which would one day be called Italian Radical design — drew on Pop art and minimalism and explored working with unconventional materials to create colorful, quirky and uniquely shaped objects and furnishings. At the time, Poltronova also worked with up-and-coming names in the art world, like painter Max Ernst and sculptor Mario Ceroli.
Poltronova showcased its groundbreaking designs in many exhibitions, such as “La Casa Abitata,” which was held in Florence in 1965. At Milan's Eurodomus trade show in 1970, Poltronova debuted an entire bedroom collection designed by Sottsass — including his sensuous Ultrafragola mirror. The brand’s furnishings were included in a 1972 exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape," and in 1977, Poltronova again won the Compasso d’Oro for a book called Fare Mobili con Poltronova (Making Furniture with Poltronova).
Poltronova's enduring and acclaimed furniture designs came to be loved far outside Italy. During the 1960s, importer Charles Stendig represented the company and helped introduce it to the American market.
In 2005, Poltronova established the Centro Studi Poltronova to recreate some of the company's iconic furniture. The brand has also recently collaborated with English architect Nigel Coates, who worked with a Poltronova master craftsman in Italy to design a series of limited-edition furniture in 2011, including the Domo chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Poltronova tables, seating, storage cabinets and more.
Living Room Set, Armchairs, Loveaseat Table by Marco Zanuso for Poltronova 60s
By Marco Zanuso, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Astonishing living room set, composed by a loveseat, 2 armchairs and a circular coffee table, designed by the architect Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Poltronova in 60s. The light...
Brass
Mario Ceroli Set of Eight Fratina High Chair in Pine by Poltronova 1972
By Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of eight Fratina chairs in pine wood designed by Mario Ceroli in 1972 and produced by Poltronova. Mario Ceroli showed this chair for the first time during the Shakespearean piece of Richard III created by Luca Ronconi of which Mario Ceroli curated the scenography. The Fratina chair is probably the most recognizable and important object of the Mobili della Valle series, where Mario Ceroli began a three-dimensional transposition of the pictorial compositions of Giorgio De Chirico's "Mobili nella Valle". Ceroli started to work on this collection in 1965 recreating three unusually shaped pieces of sculptural wooden furniture...
Pine
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 8
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of eight Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of I...
Metal
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 10
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of ten Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ita...
Metal
Mario Ceroli Set of Two Fratina High Chair in Pine by Poltronova 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of two Fratina chairs in pine wood designed by Mario Ceroli in 1972 and produced by Poltronova. Mario Ceroli showed this chair for the first time during the Shakespearean piece...
Pine
$1,491Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Mid-Century Yellow Footstool Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century yellow footstool Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s Footrest from the series Locus Solus in yellow painted...
Metal
Modern Italian beech wood and white leather chairs by Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Set of four chairs with solid beech wood structure with curved backrest. The seat of the chair is in white leather with crossed bands. Produced by Poltronova in approx. 1960. Excelle...
Leather, Wood
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s. Superonda is distinguished by its bold absence of a body. At the center of its design are two sinuous waves, precisely sculpt...
Faux Leather, Foam
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, black metal, Italy, 1964, set of four Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression...
Metal
Armchairs by Umberto Brandigi for Poltronova Set of Six Beech & Fabric
By Umberto Brandigi, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Set of six beech and fabric armchairs by Umberto Brandigi for Poltronova. Poltronova is an Italian design company known for its contributions to the world of modern and contemporar...
Fabric, Beech
'Joe Ball' Leather Footstool by Centro Studi Poltronova, Italy
By Poltronova
Located in London, GB
The super soft, high quality leather 'Joe Ball' is the perfect pouf or footstool designed by the renowned Florentine company, Centro Studi Poltronova. Designed for the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic 'Joe' chair, (which was originally inspired by the baseball glove of sporting legend Joe Di Maggio...
Leather, Foam
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964, set of four Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical d...
Metal
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 10
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, black metal, Italy, 1964, set of ten Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression ...
Metal
Sergio Cammilli Poltronova Wooden Stools, set of 6
By Sergio Cammilli, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of six stools designed by Sergio Cammilli for Poltronova. The wooden structure defines a solid and well-proportioned line, while the seat in original gray fabric retains the auth...
Textile, Wood
'Joe Ball' Leather Footstool by Centro Studi Poltronova, Italy
By Poltronova
Located in London, GB
The super soft, high quality leather 'Joe Ball' is the perfect pouf or footstool designed by the renowned Florentine company, Centro Studi Poltronova. Designed for the fiftieth anniv...
Leather, Foam
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in 1968 by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, the Arcata three-seater sofa represents the most expansive expression of the series. The piece is defined by its solid wooden structur...
Leather, Walnut
Coppia sedie "Fratina SC190", design M. Ceroli, Prod. Poltronova, Italia 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Napoli, IT
Timbro pirografico originale 'Ceroli poltronova'
Pine
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964, set of two Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical de...
Metal