‘Torbecchia’ Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960's
View Similar Items
‘Torbecchia’ Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960's
About the Item
- Creator:Giovanni Michelucci (Designer),Poltronova (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1964
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5211222940902
Giovanni Michelucci
When discussing Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci, it is difficult to decide which is the more impressive achievement: his more than half-century track record of notable projects, which includes designing and restoring some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks, or his nearly century-long life. While he is often remembered for passing away just two days before his centennial birthday, in the same breath he is memorialized for his exceptional contributions to Tuscan architecture, including Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Train Station, Palazzo delle Poste and restored rooms inside the legendary Uffizi Gallery.
Michelucci’s practice began in childhood, at his family’s artistic metal workshop. There, he rubbed elbows with many passing artists and architects before pursuing design academically at Florence’s Istituto Superiore di Architettura. Michelucci graduated in 1911 and embarked on a long teaching career. By the early 1920s, he was instructing at the Istituto d’Arte of Rome and later at the Istituto Superiore di Architettura, from 1928 until 1936. He served as dean of the school’s architectural faculty twice during the 1940s and founded the magazine La Nuova Città between the two appointments. He left Florence in 1948 to become a professor at the School of Engineering in Bologna, where he remained until his retirement.
Other significant architectural projects dot Michelucci ‘s career, like the Santa Maria Novella church and church of St. John the Baptist. Often working in collaboration with the Grouppo Tuscano, a collective of young architects, Michelucci beat out more than 100 other bidders on multiple contracts to bring his modernist, rationalist approach to Italy’s architectural landscape.
In his hometown of Pistoia, as well as Fiesole, Michelucci formed the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, which undertook social projects targeted at prisons, hospitals and asylums within the cities. He dedicated the rest of his life toward using architecture to address social challenges — a cause the foundation continues to support today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Giovanni Michelucci lighting, case pieces and tables.
Poltronova
Poltronova is known for embracing the creativity that opposites can introduce to a space. Its radical modernist furniture and lighting fixtures are simultaneously grounded in classic aesthetics and inspired by what were then new and provocative artistic movements in mid-century Italy, when the company was founded. This tension resulted in unique and extraordinary pieces at the manufacturer, from eccentric, glove-shaped armchairs to striking dining tables that feature a mix of materials and textures.
Italian designer Sergio Cammilli founded Poltronova in Tuscany in 1957. That same year, it won the Compasso d’Oro for the Panchetto chair designed by Luciano Nustrini. Revolutionary Italian architect Ettore Sottsass — a maestro of postmodern design who would later establish the Memphis Group — came on board as an art director in 1958. Poltronova manufactured many of his furniture and ceramic designs. Sottsass’s lighting, seating and other works for Poltronova showcase the designer’s bold experimentation with solid wood, glass, metal and laminate materials.
Other established names in Italian furniture design collaborated with Poltronova’s Sottsass and Cammilli, including Giovanni Michelucci, Gae Aulenti and Angelo Mangiarotti. However, the company truly set itself apart in its collaborations with Superstudio and Archizoom Associati, groups that were part of an irreverent, avant-garde movement in art and design that took shape during the 1960s in Florence, Turin and Milan. Collectives associated with the movement — which would one day be called Italian Radical design — drew on Pop art and minimalism and explored working with unconventional materials to create colorful, quirky and uniquely shaped objects and furnishings. At the time, Poltronova also worked with up-and-coming names in the art world, like painter Max Ernst and sculptor Mario Ceroli.
Poltronova showcased its groundbreaking designs in many exhibitions, such as “La Casa Abitata,” which was held in Florence in 1965. At Milan's Eurodomus trade show in 1970, Poltronova debuted an entire bedroom collection designed by Sottsass — including his sensuous Ultrafragola mirror. The brand’s furnishings were included in a 1972 exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape," and in 1977, Poltronova again won the Compasso d’Oro for a book called Fare Mobili con Poltronova (Making Furniture with Poltronova).
Poltronova's enduring and acclaimed furniture designs came to be loved far outside Italy. During the 1960s, importer Charles Stendig represented the company and helped introduce it to the American market.
In 2005, Poltronova established the Centro Studi Poltronova to recreate some of the company's iconic furniture. The brand has also recently collaborated with English architect Nigel Coates, who worked with a Poltronova master craftsman in Italy to design a series of limited-edition furniture in 2011, including the Domo chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Poltronova tables, seating, storage cabinets and more.
- Arne Vodder Sideboard for Sibast Møbler in Rosewood and Metal, Denmark, 1960sBy Sibast, Arne VodderLocated in Amsterdam, NLSideboard with tambours doors by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, recognizable by its simplicity. The design is modern and minimal yet very distinct. The latter is partly due to the ro...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Sideboards
MaterialsMetal
- 'Diamante' Cabinet by Luciano Frigerio, Italy, 1968By Luciano FrigerioLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis sideboard by Luciano Frigerio has no doors but has a valve on top instead because it was used to put over a radiator and you could put something on top to keep warm, such as foo...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsHardwood
- Geometric Writing Desk / Sideboard in Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1950sLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis geometrical writing desk has a sleek symmetry. This is formed by two large, rectangular storage compartments, together with four smaller compartments above. In between the compa...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Large Cabinet in Teak and Black Laminate by Elam, Italy, 1960'sBy ElamLocated in Amsterdam, NLWhat stands out are the black laminate panels that work very well with the warm teak that is in great condition. A very nice credenza with two sliding doors to cover a larger shelve,...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- High Credenza by Pierro Ranzani for Elam in Laminate, Teak and Metal, 1962By Elam, Ico ParisiLocated in Amsterdam, NLHigh credenza by Pierro Ranzani for Elam in teak and black Laminate. What stands out are the large black laminate panels that work very well with the warm teak that is in great con...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Vittorio Dassi Credenza with Mirror in Wood, Glass and Brass, Italy, 1960'sBy Vittorio DassiLocated in Amsterdam, NLTypical Vittorio Dassi credenza with its futuristic shapes and shiny appearance. Some sort of spaceship but then with mirror to see how beautiful you are. Shiny, outspoken and luxurious all resting on bended ballerina legs (with brass feet) that are in a slightly different color than the credenza: a bit more towards the red / purple while the other wood is brown and black. The top of the credenza is made of glass with underneath very slight pink paper...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Torbecchia Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960sBy Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in HEVERLEE, BERare mid century sideboard designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova model 'torbecchia'. this walnut sideboard has two unique folding tops, 2 regular doors and 2 central drawe...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964By Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITTorbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWalnut, Wood
- 'Torbecchia' cabinet by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1960s-70sBy Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in Milano, ITSideboard cabinet with hinged doors and exposed drawers, designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneer wood. Good conditions.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsNutwood
- Sideboard 'Torbecchia' by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Anni 60-70By Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in Milano, ITSideboard cabinet with hinged doors and exposed drawers, designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneer wood. Good ConditionCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Poltronova Sideboard in the Style of Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970sBy Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Vicenza, ITSideboard made by Poltronova in 1970. The technical office of the brand designed it in the style of the Torbecchia series by Giovanni Michelucci. Made of walnut. Excellent vintage c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955By Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in Byron Bay, NSWGorgeous and rare "Serena "chest of drawers mod. Serena in walnut wood, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1955, Italy. Signed piece.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut