Best known for his inimitable Ellipse rocking chair, Italian furniture designer Renato Zevi worked with gilded aluminum and brass, lacquered wood and mirrored glass to create sleek, sensual and glamorous pieces befitting the Hollywood Regency style.
Zevi designed extensively throughout the 1970s, drawing inspiration from the likes of Milo Baughman, one of the most adept American mid-century modern designers. Baughman’s relaxed and airy approach to design is reflected in many of Zevi’s pieces, such as sideboards, coffee and cocktail tables and dining room tables, which, like Baughman’s designs, feature sturdy chrome frames and polished lacquered wood veneers.
Zevi’s most inventive designs included a lounge chair with an ottoman, a unique creation with oval, sculptural, polished chrome legs and a plush seat and backrest. Through his firm Zevi and C., he designed the Ellipse chair for the Selig furniture company. An American manufacturer and importer, Selig is known for being among the first to introduce European modern furniture to the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Versions of the popular Ellipse chair have been produced with tufted vinyl upholstery and soft, supple Italian leather.
Zevi also collaborated with Italian furniture designer Romeo Rega, creating elegant bookcases and vitrines with gilt brass frames and smoked glass or crystal glass shelves. Rega’s company was acclaimed during the 1970s for its mass-produced console tables, chairs and other pieces until it ceased production in the 1980s.
Zevi’s work continues to be popular with Hollywood Regency decorators, collectors and design enthusiasts.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Renato Zevi case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, seating and more.
Rare Italian Gold Metal and Wicker Armchair by Zevi, Italy 80s
By Zevi & C., Renato Zevi
Located in Lucija, SI
Very RARE, special and stylish Armchair was made in Italy in '70s; produced by Zevi & c. (Udine). It is made of metal, wood and wicker. It has a very special shape! This Chair is hig...
Metal
Wicker and Iron Armchair, Italy, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie presents: An Italian chair made in the 1950s, from a moment when small workshops were pairing bent steel rod with traditional basket weaving. The type belongs to the...
Iron
$1,975 / item
H 29.53 in W 22.05 in D 17.72 in
Rare Modern Handcrafted Armchair 80/20 by Vincent Vincent
By Vincent Vincent
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
We are pleased to present our new collaboration with Vincent cabinetmaker. Sculptural design, comfy and robust, each piece is unique. Entirely handcrafted by Vincent in his own war...
Beech
$4,066
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 29.93 in
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Wicker Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Franco Albini armchair model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina. Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of Italian design. The piece pays homage to th...
Rattan
$1,963
H 36.62 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
80s armchair, minimalist, wood and metal, Jonas Bohlin ? Sweden - 1980
By Jonas Bohlin
Located in Paris, FR
Very nice armchair, 80s, minimalist, in wood and metal. . Strongly resembles the creations of Jonas Bohlin. However not assigned to date. . In good condition. . Some little defaults ...
Metal
Pair of MCM Wicker Seat Metal Base Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mid-Century Modern white toned armchairs with wicker structured seats and metal bases. Industrial modern MCM retro look. Can be very useful as extra chairs in a den or office. Measur...
Wicker
Pair of armchairs from the 70s/80s
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Pair of 1970s/80s ash wood armchairs with wheels. In the lower part storage compartment/magazines. They are in good condition considering use and age, to be evaluated for reupholster...
Fabric, Ash
Set of 6 dining chairs by Renato Zevi, Italy 1970s
By Renato Zevi, Zevi & C.
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A striking set of six dining chairs designed by Renato Zevi in Italy during the 1970s. These chairs perfectly capture the glamorous aesthetic of the period with their sleek geometric...
Metal
$699 / item
H 32.29 in W 25.4 in D 24.41 in
Black & Chrome Plated Metal Penelope Armchair by C. Pollock for A. Castelli, 80s
By Charles Pollock, Anonima Castelli
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Chair with chromed metal, plastic structure and metal mesh shell. Very good condition. Available total 3 items.
Metal, Chrome, Wire
$3,456
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 34.65 in
Rare Wicker Egg Shaped Armchair by Wim Den Boon, Holland, 1952
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare wicker Egg shaped armchair by Wim Den Boon, Holland 1952 This armchair was designed by Wim Den Boon in 1952 and produced by the Jonkers brothers in ...
Wicker, Rattan
$9,876
H 47.25 in W 33.47 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Biancamano Wicker Armchairs by Gio Ponti and Lio Carminati, Italy 1950s
By Bonacina, Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of Biancamano armchairs designed by Gio Ponti and Lio Carminati in the 1950s and produced by Bonacina. Handcrafted in woven wicker, these chairs stand out for their sculptural s...
Wicker
Italian Midcentury Rattan and Black Metal Armchair
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Italian armchair made from rattan seat and black metal iron legs. Very good condition: few rattan and paint losses; partially restored.
Rattan, Rush
$6,041Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Set Campo & Graffi Garden Armchairs in Metal and Wicker Italy Design, 1950s
By Franco Campo & Carlo Graffi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Set Campo & Graffi garden armchairs in metal and wicker Italy design 1950s.
Metal
Four 1970s brick-colored armchairs Design by Renato Zevi
By Renato Zevi
Located in Milano, IT
Set di poltroncine vintage con base ad arco in metallo cromato, seduta e schienale con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in tessuto originale del periodo nei toni del mattone.
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 38.98 in
Renato Zevi "Ellipse" Lounge Chair in Chrome and Velvet, Selig, Italy 1970s
By Selig, Renato Zevi
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century "Ellipse" lounge chair in chromed stainless steel and a beautiful white tiger pattern velvet. This iconic armchair was designed by Renato Zevi and produced by S...
Cut Steel, Chrome, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 38.98 in
Renato Zevi White Tiger Pattern Fabric Chrome Rocking Chair for Selig Ellipse
By Selig, Renato Zevi
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury rocking chair designed in Italy during 1970s. The piece is a very modernist Italian example, the "Ellipse" by Renato Zevi for Selig, designed with the strong ...
Cut Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 38.98 in
Renato Zevi White Tiger Pattern Fabric Chrome Rocking Chair for Selig Ellipse
By Renato Zevi, Selig
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury rocking chair designed in Italy during 1970s. The piece is a very modernist Italian example, the "Ellipse" by Renato Zevi for Selig, designed with the strong ...
Cut Steel, Chrome