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.
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Butter Velvet, 1960s, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and butter velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of four The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand ...
Velvet, Wood
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Butter Velvet, 1960s, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and butter velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of six The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand i...
Velvet, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs for Poltronova...
Straw, Wood
Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova Set of Six 'Elisa' Armchairs
By Poltronova, Giovanni Bassi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova, set of six armchairs, model 'Elisa', velvet, lacquered beech, Italy, 1960s These wonderfully constructed chairs are based on a solid constru...
Velvet
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Green Velvet, 1960s, Set of 8
By Umberto Brandigi, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and green velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of eight. The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand...
Velvet, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Five 'Torbecchia' Dining Chairs in Walnut
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, set of five 'Torbecchia' dining chairs, walnut, rush, Italy, circa 1964. This dining set was designed by the Italian architect and designer Giova...
Fabric, Walnut
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, Green Velvet, 1960s
By Umberto Brandigi, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" dining chair for Poltronova, wood and green velvet, Italy, 1960s The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand in 1960, repre...
Velvet, Wood
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964 Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical design movemen...
Metal
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of six Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ital...
Metal
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Green Velvet, 1960s, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and green velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of six. The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand i...
Velvet, Wood
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Butter Velvet, 1960s, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and butter velvet, Italy, 1960s The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand in 1960, repr...
Velvet, Wood
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of six Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ita...
Metal
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of two. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Green Velvet, 1960s, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and green velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of two. The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand i...
Velvet, Wood
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, Butter Velvet, 1960s
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" dining chair for Poltronova, wood and butter velvet, Italy, 1960s The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand in 1960, repr...
Velvet, Wood
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Chairs for Poltronova, Green Velvet, 1960s, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Umberto Brandigi "Jollina" Dining Chair for Poltronova, wood and green velvet, Italy, 1960s, set of four. The Umberto Brandigi dining chair, produced by the iconic Poltronova brand ...
Velvet, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, black metal, Italy, 1964, set of two Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression ...
Metal
Gae Aulenti Orange "Locus Solus" Armchair for Poltronova, Italy, 1967
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Locus Solus armchair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova and produced in Italy in 1967. Introduced in 1967, the Locus Solus collection is one of the defining icons of Italian Rad...
Metal
Pair of Gae Aulenti Orange "Locus Solus" Armchairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1967
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of Locus Solus armchairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova and produced in Italy in 1967. Introduced in 1967, the Locus Solus collection is one of the defining icons of It...
Metal
Gae Aulenti Orange "Locus Solus" Armchairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1967, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Locus Solus armchairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova and produced in Italy in 1967. Introduced in 1967, the Locus Solus collection is one of the defining icons o...
Metal
Gae Aulenti Orange "Locus Solus" Armchairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1967, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Locus Solus armchairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova and produced in Italy in 1967. Introduced in 1967, the Locus Solus collection is one of the defining icons of...
Metal
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 8
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
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, 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
Italian modern chairs Elisa by Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova, 1970s
By Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chairs Elisa by Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova, 1970s Set of four chairs model Elisa with black faux leather seats. The backrest and armrests are made of curve...
Faux Leather, Wood
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 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
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Black, 1964, Set of 10
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
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
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
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