Collectors of vintage mid-century modern furniture will find that the work of Italian designer Vittorio Dassi is elegant and sculptural, brimming with all of the clean, angular lines and pleasing symmetry associated with the best of the era’s offerings. While Dassi's name is less known to enthusiasts of the period’s furniture than the likes of Ico and Luisa Parisi, Franco Albini and other leading lights of mid-20th century Italian design, his case pieces, tables and seating will prove no less worthy of hunting down at today's flea markets and online marketplaces.
Wood was Dassi's preferred material — he favored rosewood, mahogany, walnut and other species for his covetable desks and wall units, which frequently featured decorative flourishes such as glass inlays, while a sideboard or buffet’s fronts might boast hand-carved geometric cutouts in lieu of brass door handles.
While little is known about Dassi's early life, it is believed that his career in furniture design began in 1940 at his family's company Dassi Mobili Moderni, in Lissone, Italy. Shortly thereafter, he took over managing the company from his father.
While Dassi produced dry bars and other case pieces during the 1950s that featured the motifs and ornament that are today attributed to the Art Deco movement, he created sumptuous mahogany nightstands topped with black glass and minimalist teak coffee tables that better represented the forward-looking spirit of mid-century modernism. His wall units of the era for Mobili Cantù are works of art — crafted in walnut and featuring birch veneers and high-gloss lacquer finishes as well as a single door front decorated with an abstract painting or otherwise provocative illustration, these structures would undoubtedly prove quite impressive to the likes of Poul Cadovius and George Nelson.
Dassi often collaborated with Italian architect, editor and furniture designer Gio Ponti. Ponti designed thousands of furnishings and products — from cabinets, mirrors and chairs to ceramics and coffeemakers — and his buildings, including the brawny Pirelli Tower (1956) in his native Milan, and the castle-like Denver Art Museum (1971), were erected in 14 countries. A collaboration between Dassi and Ponti of note is the pair’s work on the Hotel Royal in Naples — Ponti was commissioned to design the hotel and he partnered with Dassi to design the hotel's furnishings.
Today, Dassi Mobili Moderni S.R.L. is still in operation in Lissone.
Find vintage Vittorio Dassi furniture on 1stDibs.
Italian Mid Century Executive Desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning desk designed by Vitoro Dassi in the 1950s, featuring a black glass top beneath which is a wooden band shaped like a gull's wing that connects to the central section. This r...
Brass
Italian Mid Century Executive Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Executive desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s,truly unique design characterized by a sinuous top with an arched line in contrast with the central part convex in the oppo...
Glass, Teak
Italian Midcentury Presidential Executive Table Desk designed by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Majestic Italian Midcentury Presidential Desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s, givenits large and rare dimensions , can be assumed that it was designed on special commission, the...
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Monumental Desk Wall Unit for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Monumental and very rare desk wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù – Italy, circa 1950. Italian walnut, birch and brass details. Corner assembly between two walls at a 90-deg...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern PetiteTable Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk elegantly named "Dattilo" in wood teak designed by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. The drawer front is very elegant, inspired by the co...
Brass
Italian large Desk by Vittorio Dassi solid wood and glass 60s - G725
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Imposing desk from the 50's and 60's attributed to the Italian designer Vittorio Dassi. Structure in solid wood and veneer, top in red glass. It is composed of two boxes with 4 drawers on each side. Very nice desk...
Glass, Wood
$3,196Sale Price|31% Off
Italian Mid Century Table Desk and chair designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Desk and Chair Designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s This stunning Italian Mid-Century desk and chair set was designed by the renowned designer Vittorio Dassi ...
Maple, Teak
Italian Mid-Century Modern Executive Table Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern executive desk in bordeaux color designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1960s. Hexagonal top shape, the double brass bar support with high adjustable le...
Brass
Modular Bookcase in Teak Design Vittorio Dassi, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in taranto, IT
Original 1960s teak bookcase, Vittorio Dassi design, composed of three wooden uprights (not metal!), 3 closed elements of which 2 with sliding doors and one with folding doors, and 6...
Metal
Large Executive Desk by Anonima Castelli, Italy 1950s
By Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Wood, veneered surfaces, stained wood plinth. An elegant and architecturally balanced executive desk attributed to Anonima Castelli, Bologna, dating from the late 1940s to early 195...
Wood
$35,000
H 38 in W 103 in D 20.5 in
Italian Mid-Century Mahogany Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, 1940s Design
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Italian mid-century (1940s) mahogany sideboard with 4 maple parquetry doors centering a Pair of ebonized doors and supported on 4 ebonized legs over a pl...
Maple, Wood
$2,103Sale Price|38% Off
H 28.35 in W 80.12 in D 20.08 in
Mid-Century Italian Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi (circa 1950s)
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in London, GB
Charming sideboard designed by Vittorio Dassi made in Italy in the middle of the 20th century. This wonderful sideboard was rendered in veneer woods. It has five drawers configured b...
Wood
Rare Credenza by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Torino, IT
Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi Rare piece of furniture designed by Vittorio Dassi. Dassi founded his company in the 1950s and produced high-end furniture, combining craftsmanship with...
Brass
Oval Dining Table by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950's
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oval dining table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950's, Italy. Ebonized maple wood structure with brass fittings and original curved green glass top with gold decoration.
Glass, Maple
$32,000
H 49.5 in W 81 in D 16.75 in
Italian Mid-Century Walnut & Maple Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1950s) walnut & maple sideboard with and open bottom shelf below 2 Pair of doors centering a carved relief panel above a blue & gold painted shelf with a...
Glass, Maple, Paint, Walnut
Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Napoli, IT
This is a large executive desk that is featured in several furniture magazines.
Brass
Mid-century Mahogany Desk Attr. to Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Roma, IT
Vittorio and Plinio Dassi, midcentury Sideboard. Width 200 cm - Height 97 cm - Depth 50 cm - Rosewood, metal and glass. Good conditions!
Metal
Vintage 1950s Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Rosewood & Glass
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Roma, IT
Vittorio and Plinio Dassi, midcentury Sideboard. Width 200 cm - Height 97 cm - Depth 50 cm - Rosewood, metal and glass. Good conditions!
Metal
$15,400
H 47.64 in W 82.29 in D 17.72 in
Drybar & Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi for Palazzi dell'Arte Cantù 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Vittorio Dassi design drybar/sideboard for Palazzi dell’Arte Cantù. Rosewood bar cabinet with two side doors, mirrored central bar compartment with flap opening and lights, front dec...
Brass
Wood and brass Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Argelato, BO
Large wood and brass desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s Large Mid-Century Wood and Brass desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s The rare desk is characterized by its extremely eleg...
Brass
$5,698Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.83 in W 100.01 in D 19.3 in
Midcentury Italian Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Birch Root Veneer, Bar cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Landshut, BY
Italian 1950s one of a kind BAR / SIDEBOARD attributed to Vittorio Dassi birch root veneer - solid birch "feet" - stained glass top - mirrored bar compartment - carved upper orna...
Stained Glass, Birch, Burl
$22,000
H 38 in W 80 in D 20 in
Vittorio Dassi Midcentury Italian Modern Walnut Room Divider/ Buffet / Credenza
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Midcentury Italian Modern buffet / room divider / credenza with a walnut case featuring three upper drawers with brass drawer pulls over three hinged cabinets with decorative geometr...
Metal, Brass
Italian Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit with 5 shelves, 2 boxes with 2 doors containing one shelf and one box with 2 drawers and one box with a folding door that contains a drawer and a shelf. Wear due to...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 76.58 in D 36.23 in
Italian Mid-Century Executive Desk designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This spectacular desk was designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, probably with the artistic direction of Gio Ponti, with whom he collaborated for many years. Its aesthetic shape i...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 46.5 in D 25.25 in
Vittorio Dassi Writing Desk, Gio Ponti Style, Green Drawers, Mid-Century
By Dassi, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning Italian Mid-Century writing desk by renowned designer Vittorio Dassi, crafted in the elegant aesthetic of Gio Ponti style. Made from a rich darker wood with contrasting be...
Beech, Teak, Walnut
Sold
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 33.08 in
Italian Mid Century Executive Table Desk by Dassi for La Permanente Mobili Cantu
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This magnificent desk, designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s for Permanente Mobili Cantù, stands out for its refined glass top with a sculpted line. The front features a beautiful ...
Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 67.33 in D 33.67 in
Italian Mid-Century Teakwood Executive Desk Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite desk, so well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, stands as a testament to the collaboration between Dassi and the renowned Gio Ponti. The teakwood structure is ...
Brass
Sold
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Italian Set (reserved for a Customer > not for sale)
By Giuseppe Anzani, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Mid-Century Italian Set reserved for a Customer > not for sale
Wood
Sold
H 28.55 in W 35.83 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid Century Small Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk in elegant teak from the 1950s, named "Dattilo", designed by the designer Vittorio Dassi. The teak structure is provided with a black ...
Brass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 29.53 in
Italian Mid Century sculptural Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant mid-century Italian design desk was designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. The piece is characterized by a refined design that alternates soft and rounded lines with a...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vittorio Dassi Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Vittorio Dassi Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s
Wood
Modern Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, circa 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Culver City, CA
Modern Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, circa 1950 Measures 77.25”L x 36.5”d x 30”h.
Wood, Teak
Italian Midcentury Small Desk by Vittorio Dassi C1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Midcentury desk by Dassi A small desk created by Vitorrio Dassi in Italy in the 1950s, Minimalist in design the desk has two drawers that are part of the lower dark coloured shaped ...
Glass, Rosewood
Midcentury Italian Desk by Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
desk by Vittorio Dassi A stunning midcentury executive desk designed and produced in the 1950s by Vittorio Dassi with four dovetail constructed drawers and shaped floating pedestal ...
Rosewood
Midcentury Vittorio Dassi Designed Italian Maple Desk
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Let your creative juices flow with this funky vintage Italian writing desk! Featuring gorgeously contrasting maple and walnut wood grains ...
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut
Italian Midcentury Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stunning and impressive Italian executive Desk is one of the masterpieces of the Italian designer Vittorio Dassi, a model type produced in Italy in the 1950s and specifically de...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Italian Midcentury Executive Rosewood Desk and Chair by Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Excellent Italian Executive desk designed by Vittorio and Plinio Dassi in 1950. glass top, eight drawers, solid brass tipped feet, high executive qua...
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Writing Desk Italy 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super shaped writing desk designed by Vittorio Dassi and manufactured by Dassi, Italy 1950. Vittorio Dassi learned his cabinet making skills while working for Gio Ponti, after and du...
Glass, Rosewood