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 Iconic Design Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful table designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern designer Vittorio Dassi, 1950. The exceptional woodwork is highlighted by the curved green glass top and the rounded...
Marble
Italian Mid-Century Dassi-Buffa Dining Set, Table and Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Exceptional Italian Mid-Century dining set dating from the 1950s, centered around an elegant dining table by Dassi, paired with a set of eight sculptural dining chairs by Paolo Buffa...
Marble
Italian Midcentury Extendable Dining Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Vittorio Dassi and produced by Dassi Mobili Moderni in 1950-1960. The table is extendable, adding one or two leaves and su...
Teak
$4,471 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa. This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950. B...
Brass
$29,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 77 in D 37 in
Important Italian Mid-Century Dining Table with 6 Chairs style of Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Miami, FL
Important Italian Mid-Century Dining Table with 6 Chairs in the style of Paolo Buffa An important and highly refined Italian Mid-Century Modern dining suite in the style of Paolo B...
Brass
$3,883
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
$2,942
H 33.08 in W 39.38 in D 11.03 in
Refined mid-century Italian console table, Paolo Buffa Style, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
This mid-century Italian console table from the 1950s enchants with its revisited neoclassical elegance. The top is made of cream marble with delicate yellow veining, slightly chamfe...
Marble
Italian Mid-Century Dining Table Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant dining table, Paolo Buffa, 1950s. The piece is really rare and important. The marble top is supported by a center column on four bronze finished feet. Available as well the ...
Walnut
$7,649
H 30.32 in W 75.2 in D 35.83 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Attributed to Paolo Buffa, a 1950s table in mahogany-stained walnut, walnut burl sides, brass, and a glass top. Completely restored and polished with shellac. As pictured, it has a s...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Elegant and refined Italian Mid-Century writing desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, a period in which his work reflects the broader cultural dialogue of Italian post-war de...
Brass
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
Dining Table, Design by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This dining table was designed by Vittorio Dassi in Italy in the 1950s. The table frame is made of rosewood and an antique pink glass top is set i...
Brass
$2,920Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 32 in W 81 in D 37.5 in
Dining Room Set in the Style of Paolo Buffa, possibly made by Dassi, circa 1954
By Paolo Buffa, Dassi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian 1950s Paolo Buffa style dining room set. Walnut base mirrored glass top and the brass feet, table can be dismantle for the easy transport.
Fruitwood
Italian Modern Dining Table By Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi, Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Dining Table By Vittorio Dassi. Offered is a beautiful sculptural rectangular dining table with a pedestal base, a cobalt blue glass top and splayed legs with bronze s...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 30.32 in Dm 49.22 in
Italian Midcentury Dining Room Set Green Marble Table and Chairs, by Dassi 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Beautiful dining set composed of dining table and dining chairs. This stylish mid-century round marble dining table is a stunning example of 1950s Italian design. The top is crafte...
Marble
1950s Vintage teak Dining Set by Vittorio Dassi
By Edmondo Palutari, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
A rare round shaped 1950s vintage design dining table set in solid teak wood designed and manufactured by iconic italian Vittorio Dassi company. Table: Extendible structure thanks to two extra panels, the table has a polished teak top and satinated table wood structure. Size (cm): Height 78 x 114 diametre Maximum table extension: 162 cm. Chairs: 1960s vintage dining chairs...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 53.94 in W 64.97 in D 17.33 in
Italian Mid-Century Dining Set with Sideboard and Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Very rare and fine Italian Dining set designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, composed by Sideboard and dining Table, Both items are manufactured with precious materials and both ...
Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Italian Mid-Century Oval Dining Table in Hardwood by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning and rare dining table, very well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It's a very fine item, both the structure as well the basement are characterized by a unique curved...
Brass
Sold
H 35.44 in W 17.33 in D 22.45 in
Edmondo Palutari for Dassi Mid-Century Italian Teak Dining Table and Chairs, 50s
By Edmondo Palutari, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Dining table and six chairs designed by Edmondo Palutari for Dassi, the set is in teak and has been restored and the chairs covered with a new hemp fabric, similar to the original, I...
Hemp, Teak
Sold
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Italian Mid-Century Walnut Dining Table Art Deco style by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this elegant dining table in Art Deco style, designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. The top-table has a glass back-treated with green colored paper and is s...
Marble
Sold
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Italian Mid-Century Dining Room Set Art Deco Style by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this elegant dining room set in Art Deco style, designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, composed by dining Table with its Chairs (set of 8). The top-table has...
Marble
1950 Vintage Dining Room Set by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
A 1960s vintage dining room set by Vittorio Dassi manufacturer. The set is composed by a dining table with pink marble top, six dining chairs a...
Marble
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H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Italian Midcentury Rosewood Dining Room Set by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this extraordinary and so elegant dining room suite, designed in Art Deco style by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It's composed by the dining table with six chairs and the sideboard with cabinet...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 31.11 in W 81.11 in D 38.59 in
Italian Midcentury Rosewood Dining Room Set by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this extraordinary and so elegant dining room set, designed in Art Déco style by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, and composed by dining table with chairs (set of ...
Marble
Sold
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Italian Midcentury Rosewood Dining Room Set by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this rare, important and so elegant Dining Room Suite, designed in Art Deco style by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, magnificent example of Italian ebanisterie of...
Marble
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H 30.71 in W 44.89 in D 44.89 in
Italian Midcentury Teakwood Dining Room Set by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Traversetolo, IT
For your consideration this stylish Dining Room composed by dining Table with six Chairs, items well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, with the collaboration of Edmondo Paluta...
Teak