Torbecchia Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960s
View Similar Items
Torbecchia Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Giovanni Michelucci (Designer),Poltronova (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:HEVERLEE, BE
- Reference Number:Seller: 2030501stDibs: LU3944339117112
Giovanni Michelucci
When discussing Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci, it is difficult to decide which is the more impressive achievement: his more than half-century track record of notable projects, which includes designing and restoring some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks, or his nearly century-long life. While he is often remembered for passing away just two days before his centennial birthday, in the same breath he is memorialized for his exceptional contributions to Tuscan architecture, including Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Train Station, Palazzo delle Poste and restored rooms inside the legendary Uffizi Gallery.
Michelucci’s practice began in childhood, at his family’s artistic metal workshop. There, he rubbed elbows with many passing artists and architects before pursuing design academically at Florence’s Istituto Superiore di Architettura. Michelucci graduated in 1911 and embarked on a long teaching career. By the early 1920s, he was instructing at the Istituto d’Arte of Rome and later at the Istituto Superiore di Architettura, from 1928 until 1936. He served as dean of the school’s architectural faculty twice during the 1940s and founded the magazine La Nuova Città between the two appointments. He left Florence in 1948 to become a professor at the School of Engineering in Bologna, where he remained until his retirement.
Other significant architectural projects dot Michelucci ‘s career, like the Santa Maria Novella church and church of St. John the Baptist. Often working in collaboration with the Grouppo Tuscano, a collective of young architects, Michelucci beat out more than 100 other bidders on multiple contracts to bring his modernist, rationalist approach to Italy’s architectural landscape.
In his hometown of Pistoia, as well as Fiesole, Michelucci formed the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, which undertook social projects targeted at prisons, hospitals and asylums within the cities. He dedicated the rest of his life toward using architecture to address social challenges — a cause the foundation continues to support today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Giovanni Michelucci lighting, case pieces and tables.
Poltronova
Poltronova is known for embracing the creativity that opposites can introduce to a space. Its radical modernist furniture and lighting fixtures are simultaneously grounded in classic aesthetics and inspired by what were then new and provocative artistic movements in mid-century Italy, when the company was founded. This tension resulted in unique and extraordinary pieces at the manufacturer, from eccentric, glove-shaped armchairs to striking dining tables that feature a mix of materials and textures.
Italian designer Sergio Cammilli founded Poltronova in Tuscany in 1957. That same year, it won the Compasso d’Oro for the Panchetto chair designed by Luciano Nustrini. Revolutionary Italian architect Ettore Sottsass — a maestro of postmodern design who would later establish the Memphis Group — came on board as an art director in 1958. Poltronova manufactured many of his furniture and ceramic designs. Sottsass’s lighting, seating and other works for Poltronova showcase the designer’s bold experimentation with solid wood, glass, metal and laminate materials.
Other established names in Italian furniture design collaborated with Poltronova’s Sottsass and Cammilli, including Giovanni Michelucci, Gae Aulenti and Angelo Mangiarotti. However, the company truly set itself apart in its collaborations with Superstudio and Archizoom Associati, groups that were part of an irreverent, avant-garde movement in art and design that took shape during the 1960s in Florence, Turin and Milan. Collectives associated with the movement — which would one day be called Italian Radical design — drew on Pop art and minimalism and explored working with unconventional materials to create colorful, quirky and uniquely shaped objects and furnishings. At the time, Poltronova also worked with up-and-coming names in the art world, like painter Max Ernst and sculptor Mario Ceroli.
Poltronova showcased its groundbreaking designs in many exhibitions, such as “La Casa Abitata,” which was held in Florence in 1965. At Milan's Eurodomus trade show in 1970, Poltronova debuted an entire bedroom collection designed by Sottsass — including his sensuous Ultrafragola mirror. The brand’s furnishings were included in a 1972 exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape," and in 1977, Poltronova again won the Compasso d’Oro for a book called Fare Mobili con Poltronova (Making Furniture with Poltronova).
Poltronova's enduring and acclaimed furniture designs came to be loved far outside Italy. During the 1960s, importer Charles Stendig represented the company and helped introduce it to the American market.
In 2005, Poltronova established the Centro Studi Poltronova to recreate some of the company's iconic furniture. The brand has also recently collaborated with English architect Nigel Coates, who worked with a Poltronova master craftsman in Italy to design a series of limited-edition furniture in 2011, including the Domo chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Poltronova tables, seating, storage cabinets and more.
- Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova Pair of 'Elisa' Armchairs 1960sBy PoltronovaLocated in HEVERLEE, BEOriginal mid century armchairs by Giovanni Battista Bassi for Poltronova. These model 'Elisa' armchairs consist of a grey lacquered wooden frame and green velvet seats. The frames are left in unrestored original condition with visible wear. We think the original somewhat worn look of the frames is very attractive to vintage amateurs...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Mid Century Sideboard by Dyrlund, 1960sBy DyrlundLocated in HEVERLEE, BEMid century teak sideboard by Dyrlund with two sliding doors and 5 central drawers. Good quality and timeless piece for your interior. 1960s - Denmark Good condition, age re...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
- Sgarsul Rocking Chair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960sBy Gae Aulenti, PoltronovaLocated in HEVERLEE, BEThis great Sgarsul rocking chair was designed by Gae Aulenti in 1962 for Poltronova. Consists of a red lacquered bentwood frame with nicely patinated brown leather seats/upholster...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bentwood
- Modernist lacquer sideboard by Luigi Saccardo for Gasparello, 1970sBy Luigi SaccardoLocated in HEVERLEE, BEModernist sideboard designed by Luigi Saccardo for italian furniture brand Gasparello in the 1970s/1980s Beautiful timeless designed lacquered sideboard with cool red and black hand...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLacquer
- Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in HEVERLEE, BEMid century modern italian sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani featuring made from rosewood, maple wood and mirror. The maple wooden case features 4 drawes with brass details and handles. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMirror, Maple, Rosewood
- Vintage oak sideboard by Van Den Berghe Pauvers, 1970sBy Van den Berghe-Pauvers 1Located in HEVERLEE, BEVintage rustic sideboard made from oak by high end furniture maker Van Den Berghe - Pauvers. The sideboard is labelled inside the right door. High quality oak, very well assembled ...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Rustic Credenzas
MaterialsOak
- 'Torbecchia' cabinet by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1960s-70sBy Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Milano, ITSideboard cabinet with hinged doors and exposed drawers, designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneer wood. Good conditions.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsNutwood
- Sideboard 'Torbecchia' by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Anni 60-70By Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Milano, ITSideboard cabinet with hinged doors and exposed drawers, designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneer wood. Good ConditionCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Poltronova Sideboard in the Style of Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970sBy Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in Vicenza, ITSideboard made by Poltronova in 1970. The technical office of the brand designed it in the style of the Torbecchia series by Giovanni Michelucci. Made of walnut. Excellent vintage c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Torbecchia Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964By Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Budapest, HUTorbecchia sideboard, in solid veneered walnut, with two hinged doors (with internal shelves) and two drawers at the front, and storage under the opening top. The side of the furnitu...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWalnut
- Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964By Poltronova, Giovanni MichelucciLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITTorbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWalnut, Wood
- Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955By Giovanni Michelucci, PoltronovaLocated in Byron Bay, NSWGorgeous and rare "Serena "chest of drawers mod. Serena in walnut wood, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1955, Italy. Signed piece.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut