Italian sculptor, furniture designer and maestro d’arte e mestiere (master of art and craft) Giuseppe Rivadossi is considered one of the 20th century’s leading woodworkers. His hand-carved, mid-century modern furniture — as well as the work of Officina Rivadossi, the firm he cofounded — has been described as poetic, ancient, ethereal and soulful.
Rivadossi was born in 1935 in Monteclana di Nave, where he still lives and works today. He began woodworking at an early age, learning the craft from his father, who founded a carpentry business in 1920. In 1962, Rivadossi took over his father’s workshop and transformed it into an artistic atelier, creating sculptural furniture and objets d’art.
Toward the late 1960s, Rivadossi’s friends and fellow woodworking artists encouraged him to exhibit his wooden sculptures at shows throughout Italy. In 1968, he participated in his first sculpture exhibition, which led to others throughout the 1970s, such as the Triennale di Milano in 1974 and the Biennale di Mentone in 1976. That same year, Rivadossi and several collaborators established Officina Rivadossi, which specialized in wooden objects, sculptures and modern furniture. Pieces included walnut dining room tables, oak sideboards and architectonic dining chairs and armchairs suitable for the home or office.
From the 1980s through the 2000s, Rivadossi’s designs took on a more organic, architectural approach. For instance, his Custodia Lombarda cabinet comprises two doors with hand-carved latticework that gradually reduces size. His decorative boxes with grooved textures, geometric patterns and curved forms also double as desktop sculptures.
In 2013, Officina Rivadossi evolved to become Habito di Giuseppe Rivadossi, which Rivadossi runs with his two sons Emanuele and Clemente. Since then, the furniture firm has shown at numerous exhibitions, including Salone del Mobile di Milano, the London Design Festival, PAD Paris and BRAFA Art Fair, in Brussels. Also, in 2018, Rivadossi received the prestigious Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere award at the Triennale di Milano.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage and contemporary Officina Rivadossi case pieces, tables and dining chairs.
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi 'Rocca' Lounge Chair in Walnut
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 'Rocca' lounge chair, walnut, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi’s Rocca chair is a prime example of Italian craftsmanship from the second ha...
Walnut
Giuseppe Scapinelli lounge chairs pair Brazil 1950
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful lounge chairs designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli and manufactured by his own factory Fábrica de Móveis Giesse in Brazil 1950. These lounge chairs have a solid rosewood frame w...
Velvet, Rosewood
$3,553
H 41.34 in W 29.53 in D 32.29 in
Hans Brattrud 'Scandia' Lounge Chair in Walnut for Fjordfiesta
By Hans Brattrud
Located in Tilburg, NL
Hans Brattrud 'Scandia' Lounge Chair in Walnut for Fjordfiesta. Designed in 1959. New, current production. Easy chair in laminated lacquered walnut and satin chrome swivel base. Pri...
Leather, Sheepskin, Walnut
$5,693 / set
H 39.38 in W 16.93 in D 19.69 in
Six High-Back Dining Chairs in the Style of Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Introducing a sculptural set of six high-back dining chairs, reminiscent of the raw elegance often found in Italian Brutalism. Executed in the style of Giuseppe Rivadossi, these chai...
Wood
$5,255 / set
H 18.9 in W 20.87 in D 14.18 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi Set of Two Stools in Oak Wood by Officina Rivadossi 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of two stools in oak wood designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 1970ca. These rare stools have a peculiar structure with visible interlocks that join each compo...
Oak
$20,787 / set
H 30.32 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Giuseppe Rossi di Albizzate lounge chairs in leather, Italy – 1970’s
By Rossi di Albizzate, Giuseppe Rossi, Giuseppe Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
A very rare and striking pair of sculptural lounge chairs designed by Giuseppe Rossi and produced by Rossi di Albizzate in the 1970s. In original leather. Defined by their soft, en...
Leather, Foam
Luigi Tiengo Walnut Lounge Chair For Cimon
Located in Montreal, QC
Luigi Tiengo Walnut Lounge Chair For Cimon
Walnut
Gufram Alvar Lounge Chair by Giuseppe Raimondi
By Giuseppe Raimondi, Gufram Furniture
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Sitting on the ground, but ready to be moved elsewhere, Alvar is a chaise-lounge of structural polyurethane foam that preserves the lightness and versatility of the Sixties. After 40 years it has certainly matured in spirit, but deep in its soul it keeps its hippie attitude alive. Conceived in the years of radical design, Alvar is one of the first products with which Gufram faced the Challenge to produce modern furniture as opposed to the status quo...
Fabric, Resin
$16,700 / set
H 33.47 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Set of Eight Rivadossi Dining Chairs with Carved Backrests in Slavonian Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
A set of eight Rivadossi chairs, crafted in Slavonian oak during the 1970s, showcasing an impressive patina that speaks to their history. These pieces embody a unique balance between...
Oak
$3,250
H 29.75 in W 22.75 in D 27.5 in
Carlo de Carli Lounge Chair in Italian Walnut for Singer and Sons
By Carlo di Carli, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Italian Lounge Chair, designed by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons, Italy, circa 1950s. This chair is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric....
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,098 / item
H 26.78 in W 25.6 in D 25.99 in
Rastad & Relling 'Bambi' 56/2 Lounge Chair in Solid Walnut for Fjordfiesta
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rastad & Relling 'Bambi' 56/2 Lounge Chair in Solid Walnut for Fjordfiesta. Designed in 1956. New, current production. Lounge chair in solid walnut or oak with a seat and back in embroidered leather. The Bambi Lounge chair...
Leather, Walnut
Quiete Walnut Lounge Chair #1
Located in Milan, IT
The Quiete sofa and lounge chair are born from the union of refined Italian design and skilled craftsmanship. Made in Italy by expert hands with passion, the structure is in premium ...
Wood
Vintage Walnut Lounge Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage pair of lounge chairs designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1930s. These beautiful lounge chairs feature a high back backrest that provides comfort a...
Fabric, Walnut
