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.
Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova Set of Six 'Elisa' Armchairs
By Giovanni Bassi, Poltronova
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
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
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
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
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
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
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
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 “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, 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 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
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 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 10
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
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, 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, 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 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
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 18.51 in
Dining Chairs by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, 1964, Set of 6
By Silvio Coppola
Located in Milano, IT
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, set of 6 dining chairs, walnut and black leather, Italy, 1960s. The chairs are sturdy, dark wood frame and black leather seats. The backrest is also made...
Leather, Wood
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 Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
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
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 7.45 in
Italian Chairs in Fabric and Chrome by Giovanni Carini for Planula
By Giovanni Carini, Planula
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stylish Italian Libellula chairs in fabric and chromed steel by Giovanni Carini for Planula 1970s. Good conditions.
Chrome
H 26.19 in W 22.45 in D 21.86 in
Early Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchair in Steel
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 'Locus Solus' armchair, chromed tubular steel, blue leatherette, Italy, 1964 This Locus Solus armchair, designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Zanotta, is ...
Steel
H 29.14 in W 24.41 in D 20.48 in
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
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 18.9 in
Set of 4 dining chairs
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Set of 4 dining chairs by Danish designer Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp (Netherlands), 60ties. In a good condition. Recently reupholstered. Fabric:...
Fabric, Wood
H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 Niels Otto Moller 1964 Dining Chairs with Arms of Teak
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in London, GB
This set of four teak dining chairs by Niels Otto Moller. Round label dates these chairs as made between 1964 and 1969. Chairs require new black leather, which is included in listing...
Teak
H 23.63 in W 79.14 in D 33.47 in
"Locus Solus" daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
Daybed, meridian with cushion in yellow fabric with white stitching and metal structure by Gae Aulenti. Model: Locus Solus. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RE...
Metal
H 36.62 in W 25.99 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Giovanni Michelucci Armchairs in Blue Velvet, Italy, 1940s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Giovanni Michelucci Armchairs in Blue Velvet, Italy, 1940s A striking pair of architectural armchairs designed by Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci in the 1940s. These r...
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
H 32.29 in W 28.35 in D 39.38 in
Locus Solus armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus armchair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. A first production in excellent condition, restored. Structure in painted metal,...
Iron
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
H 28.75 in W 40.95 in D 20.87 in
''Elisa'' sofa by Giovanni Battista for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Battista
Located in Quarrata, IT
Two-seater ''Elisa'' sofa by Giovanni Battista for Poltronova, 1960s.
Velvet, Wood
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Gae Aulenti 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchairs
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, set of six 'Locus Solus' armchairs, chromed tubular steel, black leather, Italy, 1964 Set of six 'Locus Solus' armchairs. Th...
Steel
H 22.45 in W 21.26 in D 22.05 in
Set of Four Yellow 'Locus Solus' Chairs by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, set of four Locus Solus armchairs, lacquered tubular steel, Italy, 1964 Do you also love the movie La Piscine? You can bring its famous poolside furnit...
Steel
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 4
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of four. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs f...
Straw, Wood
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 Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' Italian dining chairs
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in BE
Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' dining chairs Beautiful dining chairs by renowned Italian designer Giovanni Michelucci. He designed these chairs in the 1960s for the famous manufac...
Walnut
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 16.93 in
G. Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Midcentury Wood Leather Dining Chairs 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four dining chairs from the Torbecchia S.20 series designed by Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova with walnut frame and leather upholst...
Leather, Nutwood
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Torbecchia Chairs in walnut and rush, Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 8 dining chairs from the Torbecchia series, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1964. Solid walnut structure with seats upholstered in rush. The solid wood chai...
Straw, Walnut
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 24.02 in
Set of 8 Chairs in teak and black boucle by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1960
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in amstelveen, NL
Ettore Sottsass set of 8 dining/cocktail chairs for Poltronova, Italy, in the 1970s. A simplistic yet very strong design in lines and proportions. Wonderful solid teak wooden frame, ...
Bouclé, Teak
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 24.02 in
Set of 8 Dining Chairs by Ettore Sotssass for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in amstelveen, NL
Ettore Sottsass set of 8 dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, in the 1970s. A simplistic yet very strong design in lines and proportions. Wonderful solid teak wooden frame, which run...
Bouclé, Teak
H 28.75 in W 24.41 in D 23.63 in
Italian Mid-Century Wooden velvet Chairs Elisa by Bassi for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Wooden and velvet Chairs Elisa by Bassi for Poltronova, 1960s Set of 10 chairs mod. Elisa with semi-oval seat in forest gre...
Velvet, Wood
H 25.99 in W 22.05 in D 20.87 in
Set of four Gae Aulenti Locus Solus chairs, Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in London, GB
Gae Aulenti’s Locus Solus chairs for Poltronova were intended to be poolside seating, made of enamelled tubular steel with padded seats....
Chrome
H 21.26 in W 22.45 in L 21.26 in
Gae Aulenti Locus Solus Garden Chairs, Italy, 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Gae Aulenti Locus Solus garden chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964. This is the firsts production. The chairs are made of lacquered tubular steel frames. ...
Steel