An accomplished architect, exhibition designer, furniture maker and magazine editor, Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig helped direct Italy’s rationalist architectural movement until his death near the end of World War II. Wounded twice and captured twice in World War I, Pogatschnig left military service to work as the editor and director of Casabella architecture magazine and went on to design the V Milan Triennale and VI Milan Triennale alongside fellow Italian architect Gio Ponti.
Originally born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now modern-day Croatia, Pogatschnig studied Italian in Trieste before joining the Italian army to serve in the First World War. After that harrowing and traumatic experience, he became a founding member of the first Fascist Party in Parenzo. In 1924, he graduated from Turin Polytechnic with an architecture degree and began designing bridges, pavilions and buildings, including the Gualino office complex, in Turin. Nearing 1928, Pogatschnig began work on pavilions for the Turin International Exhibition.
Pogatschnig’s involvement in the V and VI Milan Triennales stand today as some of his greatest contributions to Italian architecture. He held full control over the design of the latter exhibition, in 1936, which led to the opportunity to design many of the interiors of the Italian Pavilion at the Paris Expo the following year.
Pogatschnig’s reputation as an architect and designer were overshadowed only by his outspoken nature as an editor. By 1942, he openly criticized the Italian regime and left the Fascist Party to join the resistance a year later. These activities led to his capture, imprisonment and escape from Brescia in 1944. Ultimately, Pogatschnig was recaptured, tortured and transferred across prisons to Austria’s Mauthausen concentration camp, where he died on April 22, 1945, less than a month before the end of fighting in Europe.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig seating, tables, and case pieces.
Rationalist Desk by Giuseppe Pagano for Maggioni, Veneered Wood, Italy, c. 1940
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, Gino Maggioni
Located in Berlin, DE
Rationalist wooden desk designed by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig and manufactured by Maggioni, Varedo, circa 1940. The desk was designed for the Bocconi faculty in Milan.
Brass
Italian art deco Wood cabinet wardrobe by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, 1930s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian art deco Wood cabinet wardrobe by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, 1930s Wardrobe or storage furniture in light wood and with dark wood detai...
Wood
$174,476
H 45.28 in W 56.3 in D 17.33 in
Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Parchment with Inlays Signed by Anzani, 1930s
By Giuseppe Anzani
Located in Meda, MB
This bar cabinet was produced in Italy, in the late 1930s and is a really unique and special piece. Its tremendous historical and artistic value is what makes this item a real piece of art, hard to find and one of a kind. Firstly, let's talk about its history. It was produced most likely in 1939 in Mariano Comense which is a small village near Milan by the artist Giuseppe Anzani. Anzani has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest wood crafter and inlaid maker. He started his career as an engraver when he was a little child and he won awards for his skills when he was only 16. Later on, he started also to master the art of wood inlay, becoming the most skilled inlayer of all times. His fame was so big that people from all over the world used to come to his little laboratory in the small and unknown village...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Parchment Paper
Veneered Art Deco cabinet - Sweden, 1930s
Located in London, GB
This lavishly veneered Art Deco cabinet features four doors and inner shelves and sits atop lion-shaped feet. Its intricate geometric marquetry and contrasting veneer finish are real...
Birch, Oak
Beautiful Art Deco Cabinet from 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Introducing a piece of history - an Art Deco cabinet from the 1930's that has been repurposed as a bar/fridge, but with endless possibilities for customization. This unique piece of ...
Mahogany
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet 1930s
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet 1930s Rounded in Shape on 4 corners, Arch Shapes Astragal Moulding on doors, Working lock & key, open to reveal Embossed Black Wallpaper...
Walnut
Art Deco Mirror Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia. Built inside light. Very good condition with minor signs of wear.
Mirror, Wood
$5,757
H 41.54 in W 84.85 in D 17.72 in
Italian Art Deco Credenza, Wood, Large Console Design, Italy, 1930s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Impressive and large Italian Art Deco Credenza. This unique piece is a mix between a credenza and a console. It features two doors in the mid...
Wood
Art Deco Compactum, Vintage 1930s Cabinet Chest
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Art Deco ladies walnut Compactum. Standing on typical art deco feet. circa 1930 The lower section having 2 opening doors which offer generous cupboard storage space. The mahogany lined drawers above having typical art deco timbers. This piece retains its original art deco handles...
Walnut
Art Deco Display Cabinet c.1930s
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An elegant and compact Art Deco display cabinet dating to the 1930s. Crafted in richly grained Indian rosewood with a deep, warm tone and softly rounded corners, this piece offers bo...
Rosewood
1930s Art Déco Display Cabinet
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique Art Deco display cabinet from the 1930s with an open bookshelf from the 1960s. The balanced design features two closed wooden doors at the bottom, a transparent display area a...
Glass, Walnut
$2,012
H 36.62 in W 25.6 in D 16.93 in
Sloping Desk, Louis XV Style, Precious Wood Veneer, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office of slope, Louis XV style, veneer of precious wood, 19th century, Napoleon III. Measures: H 93cm, L 65cm, P 43cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Wood
Italian Designer, Desk, Teak, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass desk or secretaire designed and produced by an Italian Designer, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Bar Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Art Deco bar cabinet from France, 1930s. Beautiful walnut with bookmatched pattern. Lift-top lid with drop front panel supported by interior brass stays. Lower cabinet and...
Metal, Brass
Italian rationalist sideboard by G. Pagano in Bauhaus style
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Milano, IT
1920s Italian Sideboard in Rationalist Style - Design by Giuseppe Pagano, Bauhaus Influences This refined 1920s Italian sideboard, attributed to renowned architect and designer Giuseppe Pagano, is an emblematic example of the Italian Rationalist period, strongly influenced by the aesthetic principles of European Bauhaus. Clean lines, essentiality and fine materials come together in a piece of furniture with academic rigor and timeless charm. The frame features a birch burl veneer ( we assume), with a linear configuration. The central part consists of two doors with black lacquered wood handles, which open to two large interior shelves, ideal for storing objects of different sizes with order and elegance. The element that immediately catches the eye is the left side of the sideboard, where a black lacquered wall stands out, enriched by three arched shelves...
Wood
Writing Desk by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, 1930s-1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Rationalist writing desk designed by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig made from walnut and curved beech, circa 1930s-1940s. In very good condition.
Beech, Walnut