Pair of black Leather Chairs by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi, Italy, 1980s

Prolific designer Tito Agnoli created imaginative furniture with a singular mix of natural and industrial materials. Designing in the modern and mid-century modern styles, he made sofas, armchairs and daybeds from leather, bamboo and rattan as well as metal table lamps and floor lamps.

Born into an Italian family in Peru in 1931, Agnoli studied at the Faculty of Architecture in Milan. In 1949, he graduated with a degree in architecture from Politecnico di Milano. While there, he became acquainted with designers Gio Ponti and Carlo De Carli. He later worked with them as an assistant, learning to create austere pieces with flawless dimensions.

Utilizing this knowledge, he developed his own practice and worked with many Italian producers, including Arflex, Cinova, Lema, Matteo Grassi, Molteni, Montina, Oluce, Pierantonio Bonacina, Poltrona Frau, Schiffini and Ycami.

Agnoli received prestigious nominations for the Compasso d’Oro award. At the 1986 NeoCon exhibition in Chicago, he won a gold medal. His works are in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

On 1stDibs, find a stunning collection of vintage Tito Agnoli seating, lighting, tables and more.

Matteo Grassi was an artist, who was born in 1927. Grassi grew up during the 1930s and was inspired by the artistic atmosphere of the time.