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 Michelucci for Poltronova 'Torbecchia' Sideboard in Walnut
By Michele de Lucchi, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 'Torbecchia' sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1964 This exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, created by the artist Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990), is a true...
Walnut
Poltronova Sideboard in Walnut with Fall Orange Fabric Fronts
By Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Poltronova, sideboard, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1960s This striking 1960s sideboard by Poltronova combines a restrained architectural form with a particularly rich use of colour and ...
Fabric, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors, two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. The signature o...
Wood, Walnut
$11,000
H 39.38 in W 50.4 in D 23.63 in
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The Serena chest of drawers was designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1955. Made in walnut wood, it features six drawers — four smaller above and two larger below. Signed...
Walnut
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 84.5 in D 20.25 in
Modern Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza with Faux Parchment Fronts
Located in North York, ON
Modern black Lacquered sideboard credenza with Faux Parchment fronts. Featuring unique shaped design with ample storage options. Completed with a beautiful black lacquered finish and...
Wood
Louis Philippe Sideboard In Walnut
Located in Beaune, FR
Louis Philippe style sideboard in solid walnut opening with 4 doors and 2 drawers. Good condition and beautiful original patina. Dimensions Height 1m10 Width 1m94 Depth 67cm
Walnut
$4,441
H 61.03 in W 65.75 in D 19.69 in
"Torbecchia" wooden sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1970
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Argelato, BO
This sideboard is an iconic piece of Italian design from the 1960s, designed by architect Giovanni Michelucci in 1964 for Poltronova. It is part of the "Torbecchia" series, a project...
Wood
Architectural Mid-Century Sideboard in Mahogany
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, mahogany, Italy, 1960s Striking Italian sideboard executed in rich mahogany. The design is characterized by its strong architectural presence, featuring a broad overhangi...
Mahogany
Midcentury Sideboard in Walnut, Sweden, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and well made example of the Nordic sensibility- form and function working together. Featuring three internal compartments, one on each side and a generous center compart...
Walnut
Caleno Sideboard by Giovanni Ausenda for Stilwood, 1960s
By Stilwood, Giovanni Ausenda
Located in Brussels, BE
Caleno Sideboard by Giovanni Ausenda for Stilwood, 1960s
Wood
$3,001Sale Price|25% Off
H 37.41 in W 79.93 in D 19.69 in
Walnut Sideboard by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Bernini, Silvio Coppola
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This walnut veneered sideboard was designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini in Italy in the 1960s. A nice detail is that the 2 outer drawers open in a rounding. Because of its shape it...
Walnut
Torbecchia sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Ravenna, IT
Furniture designed by Michelucci and manufactured by Poltronova. The cabinet consists of two lower hinged doors, which can be opened by a handle, and two upper hinged doors, which ca...
Walnut
$5,634Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of mid-century Italian design with this exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, masterfully crafted by renowned architect and designer Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ...
Walnut
$3,513Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 23.63 in W 24.81 in D 88.98 in
Contemporary by Studio Oxi, Sideboard, Wood Veneer Sideboard, Wood, Walnut
By Interna8
Located in Pordenone, IT
A sideboard that has a particular appearance and function, thanks to the high quality workmanship and finishing with a particular attention to every details.
Wood
Santee Sideboard Cabinet in Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The namesake of this piece is an alley one block from our Los Angeles studio, known for its bazaar-like display of stalls hawking clothes and textiles at wholesale prices. The scene is reminiscent of markets in Central America and, walking through it during breaks from the shop, one feels instantly transported out of the US. It's a hectic environment, however, and the Santee Sideboard is a meditation on minimalism in answer to the raucous consumerism taking place below. We take great care in selecting the sustainably harvested lumber for every piece. Each panel of the cabinet, once milled and joined, is polished with well tuned hand planes...
Maple, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ´Torbecchia´ Sideboard
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci fpr Poltronova, ´Torbecchia´ sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1960s This cabinet with its solid and grand appearance is designed by Italian designer Giovanni Michelucci...
Walnut
Sold
H 46.07 in W 82.68 in D 22.84 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli 'Saratoga' Sideboard in Black High Gloss Lacquer
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, Saratoga sideboard, black lacquered wood, Italy, 1964. This sideboard is part of the 'Sartoga' livingroom collection, designed by Italian...
Wood
Sold
H 24.81 in W 52.76 in D 16.93 in
Italian Modern Teak and Metal Sideboard with Sliding Doors by Poltronova, 1970s
By Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern teak and metal small sideboard with sliding doors by Poltronova, 1970s Sideboard or sideboard, small and rare dimensions, in teak with sliding doors. Round metal hand...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 54.73 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Pair of sideboards by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy 1960
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant walnut sideboards by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, showcasing minimalist design and refined craftsmanship. Identical in size, one features shelves and a hanging space, ...
Wood
Sold
H 34.25 in W 78.75 in D 20 in
Giovanni Michelucci ''Torbecchia" Sideboard for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Skokie, IL
Giovanni Michelucci model ''Torbecchia" sideboard for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s Additional Information: Materials: Walnut Condition: Minor surface scratches. Very good vintage original condition. Burnished signature to right side 'G Michelucci'
Brass
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...
Walnut, Wood
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964 Italy
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.47 in W 78.75 in D 21.26 in
‘Torbecchia’ Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960's
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Giovanni Michelucci was a famed 20th century Italian architect known for seminal works such as designs for the Santa Maria Novella railway station (1932-1935) and the church of St. J...
Walnut
Walnut Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Brussels, BE
Walnut sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova.
Wood
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.35 in D 21.26 in
Walnut Veneered Sideboard by Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
A walnut veneered sideboard designed by Michelucci in 1964. Manufactured in Italy by Poltronova. Model: Torbecchia.
Walnut