Italian furniture brand Driade offers modern designs that are joyful, whimsical and slightly mischievous — words that might be used to describe the tree nymph of Greek mythology for which the company is named. Faye Toogood’s chunky, stout Roly Poly armchair and Fabio Novembre’s enigmatic Nemo chair — in which a backrest assumes the form of a human face — are just two examples of Driade’s eclectic furnishings.
Driade was founded in 1968 by brother and sister Enrico and Antonia Astori, and Adelaide Acerbi Astori, Enrico’s wife. Described by the company as a “factory of art,” Driade was focused solely on bringing distinctive and creative seating, case pieces and decorative objects to market in its early years. The brand sought to mass-produce decor and furniture that could also be seen as provocative works of art.
Driade's initial collaborations included Italian designers such as Enzo Mari, Nanda Vigo, Giotto Stoppino and Rodolfo Bonetto, to name a few. In the 1980s, the brand worked with influential and renowned designers from around the globe. In 1984, Driade partnered with French designer Philippe Starck and debuted his iconic Costes armchair during the same year. Projects with architects and furniture designers such as Ron Arad, Toyo Ito, Borek Sipek, Patricia Urquiola and others followed into the 2000s.
Over more than five decades — the company celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2018 — Driade’s fruitful partnerships have culminated in a vast catalog of chairs, sofas, coffee tables and other furnishings for the home and garden that evoke a unique and diverse blend of cultures.
Driade has also garnered international acclaim, winning the Compasso d’Oro award in 1979 and 2001 for Enzo Mari’s Delfira chair and ebony-finished, chipboard-top table, and again in 2008 for Ron Arad’s MT3 rocking armchair.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage and contemporary Driade tables, cabinets, armchairs and other furniture.
Borek Sipek ”Prosim Sedni” Armchair for Driade, 1987
By Driade, B. Sipek
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Borek Sipek ”Prosim Sedni” / “Papillon Chair” armchair for Driade, wood, leather and brocade, Italy, 1987. Emerging from the creative mind of Sipek in 1987, Papillon/Prosim Sedni fo...
Leather, Brocade, Wood
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchairs for Lafer MP, 1972, Set of 2
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” armchairs for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972 The “MP-41” armchairs by Percival Lafer embrace fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite their solid wood frames. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the wood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...
Leather, Wood
Club Armchairs in the Style of André Sornay, France, 1940s, Set of 2
By Andre Sornay
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Club armchairs in the style of André Sornay, France, 1940s, set of two. This pair of club armchairs presents the assertive geometry associated with French Art Deco seating of the 19...
Fabric
Poggioli Sculptural Dining Chairs, 1970, Set of 2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Poggioli sculptural dining chairs, suede and burl, 1970, Italy, set of two. This set of two dining chairs by Poggioli, crafted in 1970, embodies an avant-garde fusion of design and ...
Suede, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of two. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Ettore Sottsass “Westside” Armchairs for Knoll International, 1982, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ettore Sottsass “Westside” armchairs for Knoll International, foam and fabric, Italy, 1982, set of two. The “Westside” collection is an iconic proje...
Foam
"Windsor" armchairs by Riki Watanabe, Japan, 1990s
By Riki Watanabe
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A set of four armchairs designed by Riki Watanabe, reflecting his signature blend of functional simplicity and warm material presence. Subtle yet distinctive pieces that enhance the...
Wood
Pair of vintage armchairs , Czechoslovakia 1969s
Located in Praha, CZ
good condition cleaned used renovation oil Seat Height 40cm
Fabric, Wood
Pair of armchairs by Carlo Bartoli for Matteo Grassi, 1980
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This armchair was designed by the Italian designer Carlo Bartoli for the manufacturer Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. It is the Carol model. It is made entirely of leather. These chairs ...
Leather
Pair of Swedish Easy Chairs by OPE, 1960s
By OPE Möbler, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of Swedish easy chairs in original upholstery. Produced by OPE, Sweden, 1960s.
Fabric
Pair of Re-Upholstered Bentwood Armchairs by Karel Koželka & Antonín Kropáček
By Karel Kozelka & Antonin Kropacek
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Re-Upholstered Bentwood Armchairs by Karel Koželka & Antonín Kropáček, Czechia, 1940s A refined pair of bentwood armchairs designed by Czech Modernist pioneers Karel Koželka...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Pair of armchairs by Osvaldo Borsani, certificated
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of armchairs by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1940 with Archive's certificate. These elegant armchairs feature softly curved backrests, sculptural wooden arm supports, and compact pro...
Wood
