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.
$6,591Sale Price|20% Off
Vittorio Dassi Design Midcentury Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Stylish sideboard designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, this 1950s with Carrara withe marble top. In very good vintage conditions of the period.
Marble
$6,594Sale Price|20% Off
Vittorio Dassi Design Midcentury Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Stylish sideboard designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, this 1950s with Carrara withe marble top. In very good vintage conditions of the period.
Marble
Vittorio Dassi Design Midcentury Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Stylish sideboard designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, this 1950s with Carrara withe marble top. In very good vintage conditions of the period.
Marble
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Wood
$3,885
H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern PetiteTable Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk elegantly named "Dattilo" in wood teak designed by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. The drawer front is very elegant, inspired by the co...
Brass
Contemporary Glass Top Chrome Dining or Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chrome supports square shaped with T shaped tops and bases. With a long clear glass top. Useful as a Dining or Writing table. Dimensions: L. 72", W. 36", H. 29 1/2' Condition...
Chrome
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 110.5 in D 35.5 in
Bruno Mathsson 'Maria' Drop-Leaf Folding Table in Walnut, Sweden, c 1950s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully crafted and refinished 'Maria' drop-leaf / gateleg dining table by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, circa 1950s to 1960s, executed in richly figured walnut with an elegant warm ...
Walnut
$4,500Sale Price|33% Off
H 29 in W 98 in D 40 in
Harvey Probber Midcentury Saber Leg Extension Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Harvey Probber featuring two 16 inch extending leaves for a total of 98 inches. The iconic table has sabre formed legs with a dram...
Hardwood
$57,500Sale Price|23% Off
H 28 in W 100.5 in D 55 in
Finn Juhl 'Judas' Rosewood and Sterling Silver Dining Table, c 1950s, Signed
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptionally rare and sought after, this Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder 'Judas' dining table, 1950s Denmark, was professionally restored and features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood with sterling silver inlaid medallions which assist in tableware placement and gives the table its infamous name. Signed underneath with Finn Juhl / Niels Vodder stamp which reads: "Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker Denmark Design Finn Juhl". The table is expandable, with a 22 inch leaf making the table just over 100" fully expanded. The Judas table...
Sterling Silver
Wood and brass Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Argelato, BO
Large wood and brass desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s Large Mid-Century Wood and Brass desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s The rare desk is characterized by its extremely eleg...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Dining or Conference Table, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Hugh wooden table with beautiful and particular details in the style of Gianfranco Frattini. Excellent craftsmanship in very good original condition with small signs of wear, please have a look to all pictures. More pictures are available. Could be used as conference table as well as big dining table...
Plywood
Vittorio Dassi Palisander Dining Table with Marbleized Glass Top
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Hanover, MA
1950's Italian Rosewood Dining Table by Vittorio Dassi. The top is a single piece of glass which has the original reverse-paint marbelized finish the colors of creme brule. A...
Palisander
$2,767
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
Scandinavian Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Dining Table with 2 Extension Leafs
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
The super-ellipse table with top in walnut with chrome-plated spring steel legs. Double 50 cm extension leafs. ( 170/270 x 100 x 73 cm).
Chrome
Expanding Walnut Dining Table of Midcentury Design
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large walnut dining table with extension leaf (100" x 60", expanding to 128" x 60). with beautifully matched, solid walnut planks. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los A...
Walnut
Vittorio Dassi Italian Midcentury Parchment and Rosewood Dining Table
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Italian midcentury dining table with a parchment top having rounded corners on an hourglass-shaped rosewood pedestal base with carved diamond detail on an oval white marble foot (att...
Rosewood, Parchment Paper
Sold
H 32 in W 89.25 in D 39.5 in
Vittorio Dassi Mahogany, Brass, Green Glass and Marble Dining Table, 1950s Italy
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous sculptural mahogany dining table by Vittorio Dassi is a magnificent example of 1950s Italian Modernism. Sculpted from precious mahogany wood, Fine green colored glass, green marble, and brass inlays and trim. This incredible Vittorio Dassi dining table would also work excellent as a conference or meeting table or even a large work table or desk. The taller 32" height on this table gives a lot of room for taller folks, or those who have taller dining chairs looking for a table to match. This rare catch has been fully restored and only exhibits minor age and wear. Incredible collectors example ready for immediate use in a Fine high-end luxury home, office or commercial space. Ideal for an interior designer or collector client. This gorgeous 1950s Italian Vittorio Dassi Mahogany, brass, green glass and marble dining table would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an Apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. MEASUREMENTS: H 32" x W 89.25" x D 39.5" CONDITION: Recently refinished with only very light visible use and wear. Beautiful vintage showroom...
Marble, Brass
Vittorio Dassi Iconic Design Midcentury Dining Table, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful table designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, 1950. The exceptional woodwork is highlighted by the curved green glass top and rounded edge...
Marble
Sold
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Vittorio Dassi Design Midcentury Rectangular Dining Table, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful table designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, this 1950s dining table has a rectangular glass top supported by two large walnut and maple l...
Marble
Sold
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Vittorio Dassi Design Midcentury Rectangular Dining Table, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful table designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern artist Vittorio Dassi, this 1950s dining table has a rectangular glass top supported by two large walnut and maple l...
Marble