Items Similar to Gino Maggioni for Atelier di Varedo 1920s Chest of Drawers in Carved Oak
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Gino Maggioni for Atelier di Varedo 1920s Chest of Drawers in Carved Oak
About the Item
Gino Maggioni for Atelier di Varedo, chest of drawers / commode, oak, wrought iron, Italy, 1920s
This chest of drawers, designed by Gino Maggioni during his time at the Atelier di Varedo in the 1920s, offers a compelling glimpse into a workshop in transition – caught between inherited craftsmanship and the pull of modernist reform. On first glance, the piece stands with a solid, architectural poise. Made of oak, its silhouette is both compact and assertive, the feet wide and tapering, giving it a grounded feel. Its form unfolds. The top panel lifts open on decorative wrought iron hinges, and the two flanking side panels swing outward, revealing a series of drawers within. The carved surfaces are distinctly Jugendstil in their vocabulary: organic, flowing patterns that evoke unfurling leaves and blooming flowers. The surfaces obtain a textural richness with the deep and dark carvings taking center stage. The carved edges of the chest are subtle yet defining features. Along the perimeter, a continuous rhythm of fine gouge cuts contour the piece gracefully. Ultimately, the piece reflects the essence of Atelier di Varedo under Maggioni’s direction – an intersection of stylistic eclecticism, thoughtful design, expressive form, and deeply rooted in craftsmanship.
Biography
In the shifting design landscape of early 20th-century Lombardy, one small workshop rapidly rose to prominence: Atelier di Varedo, founded in 1923 (also known as Atelier Borsani Varedo). This family-run enterprise would, in the span of just over a decade, become a touchstone of the Italian modern movement – bridging craftsmanship, innovation, and artistic vision. The roots of the Borsani family ran deep in the world of furniture-making. Maria Galimberti and Gaetano Borsani both descended from families who had been working wood and crafting interiors since the early 1800s. It was this generational knowledge – this embedded culture of artigianato – that Gaetano built upon when, shortly after World War I, he struck out to form his own studio. By the mid-1920s, his workshop employed around twenty workers, a modest but serious operation focused initially on producing period furniture, still very much in line with postwar bourgeois tastes.
But the Borsani workshop would not remain tied to the past. Quite the opposite. The firm had begun to pivot toward more modernist idioms. Pieces would take cues from the expressive geometry and stylized forms of Art Deco, and increasingly, from the sinuous, ornamental elegance of German Jugendstil. On the other, there’s an underlying solidity, almost sculptural, that gestures toward Novecento aesthetics, with even traces of Futurist abstraction in the bold contours and crafted dynamism of certain works. This wasn’t just a surface-level stylistic update; it was a philosophical shift in how furniture could be conceived, produced, and lived with. The workshop's internal library, filled with cutting-edge European design journals, speaks volumes about their appetite for international influence.
Central to this transformation was Gino Maggioni, a young architect brought into the fold as what we might now call the company’s creative director. Gaetano Borsani entrusted him with the aesthetic reins of the business, and Maggioni – wide-eyed and ambitious – did not disappoint. Maggioni's intellectual trajectory was shaped in part by his presence at one of the 20th century’s most iconic architectural gatherings: the first Congrès International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) in 1928 at the Château de la Sarraz. There, he encountered the likes of Le Corbusier, Gerrit Rietveld, Alberto Sartoris, and Pierre Chareau – names synonymous with European modernism. This experience would prove formative, not just for Maggioni personally, but for the direction of Atelier di Varedo. Under his stewardship, the company rebranded – at least partially – to reflect his authorship. It became Atelier di Varedo – diretto dall’architetto Gino Maggioni, Mobili d’arte G. e Gaetano Borsani Varedo. That label, verbose as it may seem, marks a fascinating moment in Italian design history: the co-signature of the artisan and the architect, of making and thinking. This was not simply furniture production – it was an atelier in the fullest sense of the word. By the early 1930s, Maggioni’s tenure had ended, and the company shifted its name once again: Atelier di Varedo, Gaetano Borsani Varedo (Milano), coinciding with the moment when Osvaldo Borsani began to take a more active role in shaping the future of his father’s enterprise.
- Creator:Gino Maggioni (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Width: 41.34 in (105 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1920s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 501170621stDibs: LU933144533772
About the Seller
4.9
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Diamond Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2006
1stDibs seller since 2012
5,377 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
20th Century Specialists
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Waalwijk, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllGino Maggioni for Atelier di Varedo 1920s Vanity Table in Carved Oak
By Gino Maggioni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gino Maggioni for Atelier di Varedo, vanity table / dressing table, oak, wrought iron, mirrored glas, Italy, 1920s
This vanity table, designed by Gino Maggioni during his time at th...
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Vanities
Materials
Iron
Lodovico Acerbis Chest of Drawers in Brushed Aluminum and Lacquered Oak
By Lodovico Acerbis
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lodovico Acerbis for Acerbis, chest of drawers, lacquered oak, brushed aluminum, Italy, 1970s
This sleek and modern chest of drawers in stainless steel and lacquered oak is designed...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Aluminum
Hvidt & Mølgaard Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Chest of Drawers in Teak
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, chest of drawers, teak, Denmark, 1950s.
This chest of drawers executed in solid teak is a design by the Danish designers ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Guillerme & Chambron Highboard in Oak with Carved Doors
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, wardrobe, oak, France, 1960s.
This grandiose armoire is a good example of excellent woodwork by virtue of the well-designed construction base...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Oak
Nautical Bar Cabinet in Oak in Style of Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Waalwijk, NL
In style of Charles Dudouyt, bar cabinet, oak, glass and rope, France, 1940s
Maritime inspired bar cabinet in style of the French Master craftsman Charles Dudouyt. The dry bar featu...
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Rope, Glass, Oak
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Art Deco Large Cabinet in Oak
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Studio, large cabinet, oak, iron, mirrored glass, Italy, 1930s
A versatile cabinet, crafted in oak and designed by Ernesto Valabrega, exempl...
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Cabinets
Materials
Iron
You May Also Like
Art Deco Trumeau Cabinet in Walnut Briar by Atelier di Varedo, Gaetano Borsani
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Gaetano Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco Trumeau Cabinet in Walnut Briar by Atelier di Varedo, Gaetano Borsani, with three external drawers, spacious upper compartment that can be opened with two doors containing t...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
French Cutlery Cabinet In Oak With Four Drawers, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
Oak cutlery cabinet. It has a large rectangular top with a beautifully carved crest, above four wide but narrow drawers with a lock and key, which open to store cutlery. It is all ra...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Vintage Industrial English Oak Filing Cabinet with Drawers, 1920s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This antique cabinet was manufactured in England in first half of the 20th century. It is made from solid oak wood. It has four deep drawers with compartments and one smaller under t...
Category
Vintage 1920s British Industrial Cabinets
Materials
Brass
$2,773 Sale Price
20% Off
Chest of drawers, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Chest of drawers made of pine wood from Hungary, circa 1920. The original paint shows crackle due to age. The chest has 4 drawers, all made with dovetail joints. The drawers differ i...
Category
Vintage 1920s Hungarian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
$1,678
Japanese Tansu Chest / Storage, 1920s
By ACC Japan
Located in London, Lambeth
Beautiful patinated wooden small tansu from Japan. Tansu chests are very popular throughout Japan and were originally created as a portable set of drawers....
Category
Vintage 1920s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Cherry
English Antique Shop Haberdashery Chest of Drawers in Oak
Located in Leicester, GB
This is an original 1950s haberdashery / filing chest of drawers. The chest is made in solid oak with oak veneered panelling at the sides. The chest has a stack of three large double...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
$1,319 Sale Price
20% Off