In his role as art director and furniture designer for Italian furniture brand Giorgetti, architect, educator and painter Massimo Scolari spent over a decade producing so many imaginative, sculptural postmodern pieces that it’s easy to lose count. The Novi Ligure native has always had an eye for good design — he is an equally acclaimed painter with works in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and has taught at Harvard University, Cornell University and the University of Cambridge.
In 1969, Scolari completed his studies in architecture and became a professor in 1973. He taught architecture history in Palermo and drawing at Venice’s Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia. From 1975 onward, Scolari was a visiting professor at many of the world’s top universities for nearly three decades while creating numerous installations for the La Biennale di Venezia and Milan Triennial.
Among Scolari’s notable furniture designs are the solid beechwood Spring swivel armchair, which is characterized by organic curves and has a backrest that features ebony insets, as well as the Erasmo and Zeno writing desks. Each piece offers innovative flourishes — the hidden spring in his armchair allows the sitter to lean back comfortably, which lends an unusual level of flexibility to the modern wooden seat, while his sleek writing desks are often outfitted with hidden drawers or secret pull-out compartments.
Scolari has exhibited across the United States. and Europe as well as in Russia and Japan. A retrospective of his work that featured over 100 paintings, drawings and architectural models was staged at the Cooper Union in 2012. For his distinct and creative contributions to architecture, Scolari was awarded the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture by the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York in 2014.
Find vintage Massimo Scolari lighting, tables and seating on 1stDibs.
Postmodern Spring Office Chair by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, c.1990
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Surbiton, GB
A Postmodern Spring swivel chair designed by Italian architect Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, circa 1990. Featuring a sprung cantilever back, leather upholstered seat and a five star...
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 Giorgetti “Normal” Armchair by Massimo Scolari, Leather & Fabric, Italy
By Massimo Scolari, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Set of four “Normal” armchairs designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, Italy. Each chair features a solid beechwood frame with a dark-stained finish. The structure combines rigid...
Leather, Fabric, Beech
"Spring" Armchair by Massimo Scolari, Italian Design, Solid Beech Wood
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
SPRING is a small armchair in polished solid beech wood, with ebony insets in the backrest. The seat is in nondeformable polyurethane, with fabric or leather covering. The arms and...
Leather, Wood, Beech, Ebony
Italian Post Modern Aladino Sofa Set by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, 1989
By Massimo Scolari, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The Aladino sofa set, designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti, is a distinctive example of Italian design combining sculptural forms with practical functionality. The set consists ...
Brass
$2,303Sale Price / set|65% Off
H 31.7 in W 27.17 in D 29.93 in
Italy Violet Fabric Set of 2 Armchairs by B&B Italia, 2020
Located in Brescia, IT
This iconic pair of armchairs made of purple custom fabric made by the Italian company B&B. This model, called Piccola Papilio, swivels on its base and it is a contemporary produ...
Fabric
$14,976 / set
H 28.35 in W 24.81 in D 18.51 in
Italy Ghidini 1961 Set 6 Burnished Brass Armchairs Contemporary Design
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Brescia, IT
This three-legged armchair with a very comfortable backrest, is an invitation to relax, to enjoy the minutes slowly. Fully hand made in Italy. The price are referring to the burnishe...
Brass
$1,550 / item
H 32.29 in W 23.23 in D 20.87 in
Aurora Office Chair by Simonini: Ergonomic Solid Wood Swivel Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Warm and inviting, the Aurora Collection, prestigious winner of the International IF Design Award 2023 and the German Design Awards 2023, now welcomes an addition with its office cha...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$6,694 / set
H 47.25 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Giorgetti Progetti Armchairs and Pouf by Umberto Asnago
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Umberto Asnago
Located in Vilnius, LT
Pair of vintage Progetti armchairs including pouf, designed by Umberto Asnago. Manufacture date circa 1980s by Giorgetti, Italy. Pouf with labeled textile on the bottom. Metal labele...
Textile, Wood
Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
By Knoll, Don Chadwick
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Knoll swivel desk chair(s) from the 1970's, in rich brown formed foam upholstery, on five star base. The chair swivels a full 360, and the base is on double wheel coaster...
Plastic
Giorgetti Progetti Armchairs Pair
By Umberto Asnago, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti Progetti arm or lounge chairs. Chairs are upholstered in off-white Bouclé with an oak and beech frame.
Bouclé, Beech, Oak
$1,550 / item
H 32.29 in W 23.23 in D 20.87 in
Aurora Office Chair by Simonini: Solid Wood, Leather Seat, Swivel
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Warm and inviting, the Aurora Collection, prestigious winner of the International IF Design Award 2023 and the German Design Awards 2023, now welcomes an addition with its office cha...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$15,203 / set
H 40.56 in W 28.35 in D 29.14 in
Set of Eight Leather Office Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of eight office chair designed in 1966-1976 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. Cast aluminum with chrome-plated bases and original black leather upholstery. Swivel base with ad...
Metal, Aluminum
$12,700
H 26.38 in W 125.99 in D 98.43 in
Italian Post-Modern Sectional Corner Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular corner sofa, leather, Italy, 1970s A spacious L-shaped modular Italian corner sofa, upholstered in firm cognac leather. The cushions are generously padded with a rounded, pl...
Leather
$2,125Sale Price|50% Off
H 33 in W 86 in D 30 in
Superb Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Sofa
By Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red & black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful ...
Leather
$1,625Sale Price|50% Off
H 33 in W 65 in D 35 in
Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Loveseat Sofa
By Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red & Black 2 tone Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Loveseat Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather....
Leather
Cantilever Armchair Designed by Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1975
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage cantilever armchair designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen, Labeled Made in Denmark. Curved laminated beech wood design with light grey- green upholst...
Upholstery, Beech, Plywood
Italian Post-Modern Sculptural Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, cognac leather, sofa, Italy, circa 1970 This striking sofa is executed in beautiful cognac leather that contributes to a refined monochrome appearance, emphasizing the sculptu...
Leather
$2,550Sale Price|40% Off
H 28 in W 80 in D 35 in
Post modern beautiful beige leather 3 seat sofa by Busnelli
By Busnelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful soft Beige Leather 3 seat Sofa by Busnelli. Rare time capsule sofa in amazing condition. Great post modern design. circa 1980. Made in Italy. Located in Brooklyn NYC 28” H...
Leather
$5,450 / set
H 32 in W 30 in D 32 in
1990s Post Modern Muave Swivel Chairs by Michael Wolk for Directional, Set of 2
By Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most iconic swivel chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful chairs are statement piece and very comfortable. The award-winning Miami Swivel...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 25.75 in D 23 in
Late 20th c Beech & Ebony Spring Office Chair by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Milford, NH
A sleek design spring office chair in polished beech and ebony with leather seat and adjustable back designed by Massimo Scholari for Giorgetti, circa 1990’s. The designer name appea...
Leather, Beech, Ebony
Sold
H 35.83 in W 24.81 in D 18.9 in
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Beech and Ebony Spring Chair with Wheels, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Rochester, England
The Spring office chair was designed in 1994 by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti to match the iconic Zeno desk. Constructed from polished beechwood, the chair sits on a comfortable s...
Leather, Beech, Ebony
Sold
H 35.04 in W 24.81 in D 16.93 in
Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Beech and Ebony Spring Office Chair, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Rochester, England
The Spring office chair was designed in 1994 by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti to match the iconic Zeno desk. Constructed from polished...
Beech, Leather, Ebony
Pair of Spring Swivel Armchairs by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Italy
By Massimo Scolari
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of early 21st century spring swivel armchairs by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Italy. Feature polished solid beech wood frames, ...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Contemporary Giorgetti "Spring" Office Chair by Massimo Scolari, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Massimo Scolari; "Spring" Office Chair; Giorgetti; Italy; 1990s; Aluminum; Beech; Leather; Italian Design; Italian Furniture; Contemporary; Art Nouveau; Minimalism; Eclectic Conte...
Aluminum
Sold
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 18.9 in
"Olimpia" Chair, Design by Massimo Scolari, Manufactured by Giorgetti, Italy
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of 2 "Olimpia" chairs, design by Massimo Scolari, manufactured by Giorgetti, Italy. The frame of the chair is made of beechwood, the back rest with a wing motive.
Textile, Beech
Blue Leather Aladino Sofa by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Dronten, NL
The centre of this piece is a heavy keel shaped base in solid cherrywood. The two blue leather sofas on solid cherry legs with concealed wheels are connected to the base by means of ...
Brass