Collectors of vintage mid-century modern furniture will find that the work of Italian designer Vittorio Dassi is elegant and sculptural, brimming with all of the clean, angular lines and pleasing symmetry associated with the best of the era’s offerings. While Dassi's name is less known to enthusiasts of the period’s furniture than the likes of Ico and Luisa Parisi, Franco Albini and other leading lights of mid-20th century Italian design, his case pieces, tables and seating will prove no less worthy of hunting down at today's flea markets and online marketplaces.
Wood was Dassi's preferred material — he favored rosewood, mahogany, walnut and other species for his covetable desks and wall units, which frequently featured decorative flourishes such as glass inlays, while a sideboard or buffet’s fronts might boast hand-carved geometric cutouts in lieu of brass door handles.
While little is known about Dassi's early life, it is believed that his career in furniture design began in 1940 at his family's company Dassi Mobili Moderni, in Lissone, Italy. Shortly thereafter, he took over managing the company from his father.
While Dassi produced dry bars and other case pieces during the 1950s that featured the motifs and ornament that are today attributed to the Art Deco movement, he created sumptuous mahogany nightstands topped with black glass and minimalist teak coffee tables that better represented the forward-looking spirit of mid-century modernism. His wall units of the era for Mobili Cantù are works of art — crafted in walnut and featuring birch veneers and high-gloss lacquer finishes as well as a single door front decorated with an abstract painting or otherwise provocative illustration, these structures would undoubtedly prove quite impressive to the likes of Poul Cadovius and George Nelson.
Dassi often collaborated with Italian architect, editor and furniture designer Gio Ponti. Ponti designed thousands of furnishings and products — from cabinets, mirrors and chairs to ceramics and coffeemakers — and his buildings, including the brawny Pirelli Tower (1956) in his native Milan, and the castle-like Denver Art Museum (1971), were erected in 14 countries. A collaboration between Dassi and Ponti of note is the pair’s work on the Hotel Royal in Naples — Ponti was commissioned to design the hotel and he partnered with Dassi to design the hotel's furnishings.
Today, Dassi Mobili Moderni S.R.L. is still in operation in Lissone.
Find vintage Vittorio Dassi furniture on 1stDibs.
Vittorio Dassi bar cabinet La Permanente Mobili Cantù Italy 1950
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A truly exceptional and elegant bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi and manufactured by La Permanente Mobili Cantù in Italy around 1950. This piece is a striking example of mid-ce...
Marble
Vittorio Dassi Bar cabinet , sideboard, for La Permanente Mobili di Cantù
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi for La Permanente Mobili di Cantù, a prestigious Italian designer active in the mid-20th century. Made of rosewood, its main mod...
Crystal, Bronze
Drybar & Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi for Palazzi dell'Arte Cantù 1950s
By Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Vittorio Dassi design drybar/sideboard for Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù. Rosewood bar cabinet with two side doors, mirrored central bar compartment with flap opening and lights, front dec...
Brass
$3,413Sale Price|29% Off
Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Cabinet Bar, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This bar cabinet was designed by the famous Italian design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950. The cabinet is covered in herringbone mahogany with maple inlays and glass top, the central in...
Marble, Brass
$5,056Sale Price|19% Off
Italian-made Deco-style bar cabinet by Vittorio Dassi 1940s-50s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Bar cabinet in the "deco" style designed and produced between the 1940s and 1950s by Vittorio Dassi. the cabinet has three storage compartments. The central one has a flap door and ...
Brass
$16,042Sale Price|40% Off
H 65.75 in W 61.03 in D 16.54 in
Taichiro Nakai Teak Wall Cabinet by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Modular bookcase with structure in lacquered metal and wood. Glass tops and brass details. Produced by Consorzio la Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly ta...
Metal, Brass
La Permanente Mobili Cantù Highboard in Maple
Located in Waalwijk, NL
La Permanente Mobili Cantù, wardrobe, maple, mirrored glass, brass, Italy, 1950s This charming armoire of Italian origin is beautifully crafted and manufactured by La permanente Mob...
Brass
Rosewood Sideboard from Palazzi dell'Arte Cantù, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Living room furniture with drawers, open-top compartment doors and 2 door display case with decorated glass, spiked legs with brass tips. Inside...
Rosewood
$4,359
H 57.88 in W 57.09 in D 19.3 in
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique, impressive and very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors with amazing interior part in mirror gl...
Brass
$2,203Sale Price|35% Off
H 28.35 in W 80.12 in D 20.08 in
Mid-Century Italian Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi (circa 1950s)
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in London, GB
Charming sideboard designed by Vittorio Dassi made in Italy in the middle of the 20th century. This wonderful sideboard was rendered in veneer woods. It has five drawers configured b...
Wood
$13,200
H 30.5 in W 74.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, Circa 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian credenza made of hand crafted lacquered palisanderwood with four drawers and a glass top, designed by Vittorio Dassi in good condition. The storage piece is ideal as a traditional sideboard...
Glass, Palisander
$2,906
H 36.62 in W 34.65 in D 17.72 in
Italian 1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Walnut Burl Dry Bar Cabinet
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, various doors and storage spaces with great shapes and decors. The...
Brass
$17,437
H 116.93 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in
Vittorio Dassi Monumental Desk Wall Unit for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Monumental and very rare desk wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù – Italy, circa 1950. Italian walnut, birch and brass details. Corner assembly between two walls at a 90-deg...
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A 1950s Italian mid-century modern dry bar or cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi. The top surface and outside bottom shelf are a very dark green glass. The doors and sides are rosew...
Brass
$3,254
H 47.64 in W 33.08 in D 14.97 in
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl Veneer Wood Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1940s Italian Art Deco bar cabinet in great wood veneer, three front doors, standing on waterfall legs giving elegance and importance. Once you open the top door two drawer...
Brass
$6,044
H 32.29 in W 70.87 in D 21.26 in
Italian Midcentury Sideboard by La Permanente Mobili di Cantù, 1950
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite Italian sideboard or chest of drawers crafted by Permanente Mobili of Cantù in the late 1950s is a stunning example of mid-century modern design. The beautiful woodwork on the front of the six drawers creates a striking contrast between light and dark tones, while the sides feature an elegant herringbone pattern that adds a touch of refinement. A hammered black lacquer band underneath the top adds a subtle but distinct touch of sophistication to the piece. The original and distinctive handles are crafted from the same wood as the drawers, adding to the seamless and cohesive design. The chest of drawers is topped with a sleek black glass plate...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
Vittorio Dassi 1950s sideboard glass top
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Vigevano, PV
Wall cupboard with ebonized wooden supports, wooden body and carved glass top. of the highest quality
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 57.49 in W 65.36 in D 20.48 in
Italian Midcentury Parchement Sideboard or Cabiner Bar Designed by Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a quintessential example of the "Stile Littorio" in transition toward the more whimsical Italian Modernism movement. The craftsmanship and materials suggest a high-end design...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 100.4 in W 64.97 in D 18.12 in
Vittorio Dassi Italian Monumental Wall Unit for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Elevate your interior with this exquisite and rare mid-century modern wall unit designed by Vittorio Dassi, a true icon of Italian craftsmanship. Meticulously crafted in the 1950s, t...
Brass
Sold
H 118.9 in W 38.19 in D 23.63 in
Vintage 20th Century Italian Bar With Marble Countertop By Vittorio Dassi c.1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A mid 20th Century Italian wood & marble dry bar. Made by Vittorio Dassi, this elegantly designed bar features shelving on one side that doubles as a room divider. The bar top is ado...
Marble
Sold
H 90.56 in W 118.12 in D 18.9 in
Vittorio Dassi Monumental Wall Unit / Dry Bar for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Monumental and very rare wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù – Italy, circa 1950. Italian walnut, birch and brass details. The inside of the cabinets and drawers are covered...
Brass
Mid Century Revolving Interior Dry Bar by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This splendid mid century modern revolving drinks cabinet by Vittorio Dassi is a real "surprise cabinet" . Its exterior is all polished precio...
Art Glass
Vittorio Dassi Italian Drybar, Sideboard, Marble, Crystal
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Valladolid, ES
Spectacular bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi, a prestigious Italian designer active in the middle of the last century. Made of rosewood, it has an inlaid pearl...
Crystal, Marble, Brass
Sold
H 110.63 in W 118.12 in D 18.9 in
Vittorio Dassi Monumental Wall Unit / Dry Bar for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Monumental wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù – Italy, circa 1950. Italian walnut, birch and brass details. The inside of the cabinets and drawers are covered luxuriously...
Brass
Three Door Cabinet by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The mahogany cabinet with gray blue inset glass top, having 3 doors with brass handles, each with quarter veneering the 2 doors on left opening to reveal a mirror and glass fitted in...
Brass
Sold
H 87.8 in W 105.52 in D 16.15 in
Vittorio Dassi Wall Unit / Dry Bar for Permanente Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950-60
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Sophisticated and very rare wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù - Italy, circa 1950-60. The inside of the cabinets and drawers are covered very luxuriously in Birch veneer and red felt. The inside shelves are made of Birch and some of glass. The large cabinet features a fold out bar...
Brass
Sold
H 56.3 in W 72.84 in D 19.69 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard of Birch Briar Root by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Lissone
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Superb sideboard and / or bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It's a very fine item made of precious materials as well as the two side doors of birch briar root, fin...
Brass
Sold
H 47.64 in W 82.29 in D 17.72 in
Vittorio Dassi Design Drybar / Sideboard for Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Vittorio Dassi design drybar / sideboard for Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù. Rosewood bar cabinet with two side doors, mirrored central bar compartment with flap opening and lights, fron...
Brass
Sold
H 53 in W 51.5 in D 18 in
Vittorio Dassi Italian Rosewood Sideboard Liquor Cabinet, 1950s, Restored
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add some Mid-Century Italian Modern elegance to your space with this fully restored Rosewood sideboard / liquor cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi, originally completed in the 1950s and restored in 2021. The subtly tapered design was crafted from Rosewood with distinct dark striped grain, restored with a gorgeous and luxurious French Polish. This piece comprises of flared spider legs, three (3) shelves, (2) slim drawers, brass hardware and a compact hutch which opens to reveal a curved mirrored...
Brass