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.
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Chair for Poltronova, 1972, Italy, Pine, Stamped
By Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
Located in Almelo, NL
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Chair in Pine for Poltronova, 1972, Italy Designed by Mario Ceroli in 1972 and produced by Poltronova, the “Fratina” chair is one of the most striking example...
Pine
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Panca Bianca "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Metal
Luciano Nustrini, PA1 Chair, designed 1957, made by Poltronova
By Poltronova, Luciano Nustrini
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Luciano Nustrini (1928-1999), PA1 Chair, made by Poltronova, Italy 1950s This fabulous little chair is about as 1950s as you can get! Constructed with a curved walnut ply backrest,...
Steel
Pair of Fratina chairs designed by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova, Italy 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of iconic Fratina chairs, designed by the designer Mario Ceroli for Poltronova in 1972. Known for their bold and sculptural form, the Fratina chairs are a perfect example of Cer...
Wood, Pine
"Locus" White Metal Chairs Design Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four Italian midcentury modern design dining chairs or out door chairs model “Locus” designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Poltronova from 1964...
Metal
Set of Four Torbecchia Dining Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
Set of 4 dining chairs from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Solid walnut structure with seats upholstered in cane. ...
Cane, Walnut
sedia poltronova modello elisa design giovanni battista bassi 1964
By Poltronova
Located in taranto, IT
Sedia poltroncina modello "Elisa", disegnata da Giovanni Battista Bassi per Poltronova nel 1964. Misura cm 71 di altezza, cm 50 di profondità, cm 60 di larghezza e cm 45 di altezza...
Wood
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Sculptural Chair for Poltronova, 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” sculptural chair for Poltronova, wood, Italy, 1972 An iconic blend of radical design and archaic inspiration, the “Fratina” chair by Mario Ceroli was designed...
Wood
Gae Aulenti Space Age Locus Solus Armchairs and Ottoman for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Locus Solus Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova – Restored This rare set includes two lounge chairs and one ottoman from the Locus Solus series, designe...
Iron
Set of 4 pink Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
A set of 4 lacquered metal Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964. The round seat is perforated sheet metal. The structure, which forms the backrest, armrests, and le...
Steel
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Sculptural Chairs for Poltronova, 1972, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” sculptural chairs for Poltronova, wood, Italy, 1972, Set of 2 An iconic blend of radical design and archaic inspiration, the “Fratina” chairs by Mario Ceroli ...
Wood
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
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Set of 4 Chairs "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Metal
Italian Lounge Chairs by Rosario Vernuccio for Poltronova, 1958
By Rino Vernuccio, Poltronova
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Lounge Chairs by Rosario Vernuccio for Poltronova, 1958 Set of 4 lounge chairs or low chairs, designed by Rosario Vernuccio in 1958. Manufactured from Poltronova in the 196...
Metal
20th Century Gae Aulenti Set of Four Chairs mod. Locus Solus
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Turin, Turin
Gae Aulenti was an Italian designer and architect who was active in furniture design, graphic design, lighting design and interior design. She was known for her contribution to the d...
Steel
Joe Chair by De Pas, D’Urbino, And Lomazzi for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Upholstered in original denim fabric. Signed on leather patch. Made in Italy.
Fabric
Mario Ceroli Set of Eight Fratina High Chair in Pine by Poltronova 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
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
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
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
$22,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
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
$12,810Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 43.31 in D 68.9 in
Leather 'Joe' Chair Designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova, Italy
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in London, GB
This super sized, super cool, leather 'Joe' chair has now become a design classic. Designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi in 1970, this contemporary re-editio...
Metal
$3,002Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in Dm 22.45 in
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. An early production in good condition, restored bouclé seat. Chrome metal frame, cotton. The chair has slight defects, ...
Metal, Chrome
$4,910 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltro
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Almelo, NL
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltronova in Italy 1964. Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltron...
Rush, Walnut
$1,927Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 72.45 in D 15.75 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Wood Midcentury Bench Consolle 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design walnut bench or console table serie Torbecchia designed by Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova, Italy 1964. Fire-branded G. Michelucci tra...
Walnut
Mario Ceroli, ‘Fratina’ Chair, Poltronova, Italy, 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in New York, NY
Designed by the Italian sculptor Mario Ceroli as part of the Mobili Nella Valle series for Poltronova in 1972. This furniture series was inspired directly by Giorgio de Chirico’s 192...
Pine
$5,629Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Locus Solus Daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Wien, AT
The Locus Solus daybed, designed in 1964 by the influential Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, is a striking example of 1960s avant-garde design. With its tub...
Steel
$6,000 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of six. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
$4,540 / set
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 pink Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
A set of 4 lacquered metal Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964. The round seat is perforated sheet metal. The structure, which forms the backrest, armrests, and le...
Steel
$440 / item
H 31.5 in W 27.17 in D 15.56 in
White Rabbit Chair, Designed by Stefano Giovannoni, Made in Italy
By Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. The idea of the rabbit, a gentle, lovable and shy animal, comes from the association of its silhouette with that of a seat, where the rabbit's ears become the backrest of the chair. Designed for adults and children, this rabbit chair...
Plastic
'Fratina' Chair by Mario CEROLI, 1972 SIGNED
By Mario Ceroli
Located in Berlin, Berlin
A Totem Chair designed by Mario Ceroli. Italy, Poltronova, 1972. Two 'FRATINA' chairs by Mario Ceroli, produced by Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova. Unrefined Russian pine, stamped...
Pine
$2,118 / set
H 26.78 in W 21.66 in D 21.26 in
5x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von fünf wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Armlehnstühlen des italienischen Traditionsherstellers Poltronova aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt vo...
Metal
Sold
H 26.38 in W 22.84 in D 21.66 in
"Locus Solus" Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s, set of 4
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 chromed metal and black leather chairs designed by Gae Aulenti in the 60s. Model: Locus Solus. Seat height: 42 cm. Wear due to age and time of chairs. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST ...
Metal
Sold
H 74.81 in W 19.3 in D 16.54 in
Italian modern throne chair by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova, 1970s
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Large chair, reminiscent of a throne especially due to the height of the seat. The backrest, which is indeed very large, has a curved and rounded shape at the end, as are the sides o...
Wood
Sold
H 75.2 in W 22.05 in D 20.48 in
Fratina chairs in pine wood designed by Mario Ceroli in 1972 by Poltronova.
By Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
Located in Almelo, NL
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 of Richard III created by Luca Ronconi, in which Mario Ceroli curated the scenography. The Fratina chair is probably the most recognizable and essential 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
Sold
H 26.38 in W 21.86 in D 20.67 in
"Locus" White Metal Chairs Design Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four Italian midcentury modern design dining chairs or out door chairs model “Locus” designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Poltronova from 1964...
Metal
Sold
H 74.81 in W 23.23 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Fratina chairs by Mario Ceroli for Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova
By Poltronova
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Fratina chairs by Mario Ceroli for Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova, Italy 1972
Wood
Sold
H 38 in W 75 in D 49 in
Leather 'Joe' Chair by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova, Italy 1980s
By Poltronova, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic 'Joe' glove chair in a buttery soft tan leather was Designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi in the 1970's and signed by all three designers. This chair, combining elegant Italian design with the game of Baseball was made in recognition of the beloved American Baseball player, Joe Di Maggio who was admired by all 3 of these designers. A great little baseball shaped pillow in soft leather comes with the chair adding comfort and uniqueness. An extremely comfortable and monumental lounge chair...
Metal
Gae Aulenti set of two lounge chairs 1960s.
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in bari, IT
Set of two lounge chairs from the Locus Solar series by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova late 1960s.
Metal
Set of 8 Elisa Chairs, Giovanni Bassi, Poltronova, 1075 ca
By Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This Set of 8 Elisa Chairs, designed by Giovanni Bassi for Poltronova circa 1970, stands as an exemplary testament to the innovative spirit and aesthetic brilliance of 20th-century I...
Velvet, Wood
Set of 4 yellow Elisa, Giovanni Bassi, Poltronova, 1950 circa
By Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Set of 4 Elisa Chairs, designed by Giovanni Bassi for Poltronova circa 1970, stands as an exemplary testament to the innovative spirit and aesthetic brilliance of 20th-century It...
Velvet, Wood
Set of 4 black Elisa chairs, Giovanni Bassi, Poltronova
By Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Set of 4 Elisa Chairs, designed by Giovanni Bassi for Poltronova circa 1970, stands as an exemplary testament to the innovative spirit and aesthetic brilliance of 20th-century It...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 27.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Pair of Massimo & Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Cube Chairs for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Long Island City, NY
Massimo and Lella Vignelli's "Saratoga" cube chair manufactured by Poltronova, Italy. The chair features a wood base that has a thick polyester lacquer and finished with brown distre...
Fabric, Acrylic, Wood
Group of 4 Chairs Poltronova Torbecchia Michelucci Beech, 1970s
By Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 4 chairs designed by Michelucci in 1964; stained beech wood, seats in woven raffia.
Raffia, Beech