Of his mid-century modern furniture designs, which marry minimalist simplicity with elegance and symmetry, Italian designer Giovanni Offredi once said: “Beauty should not be confused with appearance, since the latter is the superficial part of the form.”
Born in Milan, in 1927, Offredi did not pursue formal education as an architect, unlike many of his contemporaries in the first half of the 20th century. He also did not begin designing furniture until later in his career. His earliest known furnishings were commissioned by wealthy Milanese families in 1960.
It wasn’t until the late 1960s — when Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, owner of Italian furniture manufacturer and design shop Saporiti — that his furniture designs would become more prominent. In 1970, Offredi entered into a partnership with Saporiti, producing several innovative and modernistic furniture lines.
Among Offredi’s most notable pieces are the gently curving Wave chair, sofa and lounge chair, the Onda coffee table and the Paracarro dining room table, with its cylindrical concrete base, glass top and metal cross section. He also designed a series of credenzas and sideboards in lacquered wood, featuring a high gloss finish and bold colors.
Offredi enjoyed a successful collaboration with Saporiti throughout the 1970s. In 1984, he began a partnership with Italian cabinet and kitchen manufacturer Snaidero, designing modern kitchens. His final kitchen design, Kube, in 2006, featured streamlined forms, contrasting materials and colors and a recessed aluminum toe kick with a reflective mirror finish, which made the kitchen appear suspended above the ground. The kitchen won a Good Design Award from the Chicago Design Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, in 2008. Offredi never had the opportunity to accept that prize — he died in 2007.
Although Offredi’s works are relatively obscure, they are sought out by in-the-know furniture collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Giovanni Offredi chairs, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Concrete Cantilever Coffee Table
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Rare coffee table designed in the late 1970s by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia.
Concrete, Metal
Steel Tebe Coffee Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in amstelveen, NL
Minimalist Tebe coffee table designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, executed in brushed stainless steel. The table features a square top with a distinctive central cut-o...
Stainless Steel
Giovanni Offredi Onda Glass Coffee Table for Saporiti ca. 1970's
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in New York, NY
Classic Post Modern Italian design glass top coffee table designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. This example is in good original condition, the metal base shows some oxidation, ...
Steel
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Postmodern Freeform Coffee Table, 1980s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional postmodern free form coffee table By Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Italy, 1980s Red lacquered tiger...
Metal
Extra Large Maple Brass Coffee Table Giovanni Offredi Saporiti 1980s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Paris, IDF
Designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the early 1980s, this beautiful coffee table is fully veneered with birdseye maple wood, with brass inlays on the feet. Its symmet...
Brass
Pair of Giovanni Offredi Round Coffee Tables
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in New York, NY
A matching pair of Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti round coffee tables. Made in Italy, circa 1970. Crafted from wood featuring a birdseye maple veneer, The base is supported by four ...
Birdseye Maple
Italian Adjustable Maple Coffee Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Presenting an exceptional mid-century Italian coffee table, a true statement piece designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the 1980s. This rare table artfully combines lu...
Granite, Steel, Chrome
Colored wooden table with geometric inlays and metal base by G.Offredi Saporiti
By Fratelli Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare coffee table with wooden top with geometric colored inlays and base in craquelè painted metal. The top, bevelled on 4 sides, is made up of a geometric design with aniline-dyed r...
Metal
1980s Extra-Large Granite Coffee Table with Pedestal Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental coffee table produced in the Netherlands during the 1980s demonstrates the period's embrace of raw, elemental materials. The design relies on pure geometric forms: a thick...
Stone, Granite
$5,500
H 14 in W 55 in D 39 in
Oval Grey Bird's-Eye Maple Top Heavy Steel Base Coffee Table by Saporiti
By Saporiti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern nice oval shape ash lacquered birds-maple coffee table by Saporiti. Made in Italy.
Stainless Steel
1980s Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table
By Stone International
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features a square-shaped top with concave edges and a soft pink color with gorgeous ...
Marble
Large 1980s Tessellated Stone Coffee Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
Stunning oversize tessellated stone with brass detail coffee table attributed to Maitland Smith.
Stone, Brass
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in Dm 35 in
Round Marble Coffee Table, Travertine Coffee Table, Stone Center Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
TRAVERTINE STONE COFFEE TABLE Type of Stone: Travertine Dimensions: 40" Diameter Leg Model: Travertine Customizable: Available! Production Time: 3-4 Weeks Shipping Cost: Free! Packa...
Stone, Marble
Coffee Table by Giovanni Banci for Hermès, 1970s
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Coffee table by Giovanni Banci for Hermès,1970s This Hermès coffee table, likely designed in the 1970s, reflects the timeless elegance so dear to ...
Metal
$5,400
H 14.75 in W 51 in D 51.25 in
Italian Adjustable Maple Coffee Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Presenting an exceptional mid-century Italian coffee table, a true statement piece designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the 1980s. This rare table artfully combines lu...
Granite, Steel, Chrome
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.5 in W 72 in D 35.5 in
Maurizio Salvato Rotating Burlwood Coffee Table for Saporiti Italia, 1980s
By Saporiti, Maurizio Salvato
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern rotating coffee table with burl wood lacquered tops and powder-coated burgundy colored steel legs by Maurizio Salvato for Saporiti Italia, 1980s. Taller Table Height: 14....
Metal
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Dining Table in Birdseye Maple
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
Giovanni Offredi for saporiti dining table in birdseye maple, with marquetry abstract designs on the surface.
Wood, Birdseye Maple
$11,391
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 47.25 in
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Executive Desk, Italy, 1980s Maple Wood
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Sacile, PN
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, executive desk, bird’s-eye maple, Italy, 1980s. This postmodern pieces is sculptural and holds various striking elements. Firstly the execution of the...
Birdseye Maple
1980s Spanish Brass Coffee Table
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Spanish Brass Coffee Table
Brass
Saporiti Italia 1970s Sculptural Dining Table in Glossy Wood
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant dining table manufactured by Saporiti, featuring a glossy wood top. Clean lines and sculptural, geometric legs emphasize a minimalist aesthetic. Italy, 1970s
Wood
Sold
H 11.82 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Coffee Table in Black Lacquered Ash and Metal
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, coffee table, black lacquered ash, metal, Italy, 1970s Cubic coffee table designed by Giovanni Offredi for the Italian manufacturer Saporiti. This stu...
Metal
Giovanni Offredi Coffee Table for Saporiti
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, cocktail table, burl maple veneer, Italy, 1980s. This sculptural table features semi-circular open legs, four in all. These sculptural legs support ...
Maple
Sold
H 12.6 in W 51.58 in D 51.58 in
Tavolo da caffé, design di Giovanni OFFREDI per SAPORITI. Anni 70/80
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Torino, IT
Tavolo da caffé, design di Giovanni OFFREDI per SAPORITI. ORIGINE Italia PERIODO Anni 70/80 DESIGNER Giovanni OFFREDI (1927-2007) MARCA SAPORITI MODELLO Tavolo basso da caffé M...
Wood
Sold
H 13.19 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Giovanni Offredi Polished Steel Coffee table "Tebe" for Saporiti, 1980s Italy
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Giovanni Offredi designed polished stainless steel coffee table for Saporiti. Model name is "Tebe". Made in Italy in the 1980s this coffee table has an elegant quadratic form. The sq...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 15.75 in W 49.61 in D 29.93 in
20thC Italian Coffee Table With Internal Bar By Giovanni Offredi For Saporiti
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare coffee table with a mirrored bar, designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1980s. This coffee table is a masterful blend of artistry and functionality. The table’s str...
Wood, Lacquer
Coffee Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, circa 1980
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Enhance your interior with a touch of originality with this coffee table designed by the renowned Italian designer Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1980s. Crafted from striking...
Maple
Giovanni Offredi, Onda coffee table for Saporiti. Italy, C.1970
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Munster, NRW
Onda coffee table, from the Onda series, also known as Wave series, by Italian designer Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. It consist in a square top in ...
Steel
Sold
H 13.75 in W 54.75 in D 54.75 in
Giovanni Offredi Saporiti Concrete and Glass Contemporary Coffee Cocktail Table
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti concrete and glass coffee table. This is a beautiful piece of contemporary modern design. This coffee t...
Concrete
Tavoino Paracarro Giovanni Offredi
By Giovanni Offredi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Paracarro table, designed by Giovanni Offredi, is a true masterpiece that seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetic appeal. With its elegant and contemporary design, this tab...
Cement
Sold
H 13.39 in W 46.86 in D 46.86 in
Giovanni Offredi 'Paracarro' coffee table for Saporiti, Italy 1973
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in London, GB
Giovanni Offredi (1927-2007) was a prominent figure in the Italian furniture and designer scene. Opposed to other Italian designers of his time he found his way into design outside o...
Concrete
Sold
H 13 in W 38.98 in D 38.98 in
Italian Design Coffee Table in Steel by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian design 1970s large coffee table or sofa table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. The square-sized Tebe model, tab...
Steel
Sold
H 13 in W 43.25 in D 43.25 in
Square Birdseye Maple Coffee Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy 1980s
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous square coffee table designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1980s. This table was constructed with wood and has a striking birdseye maple veneer. The base consist...
Brass