Eugenio Carmi Italian Graphic Designer Wall Mirror Morphos for Acerbis, 1980s

Eugenio Carmi was born in 1920 in Genoa, Italy. At age fifteen he began painting lessons, which came to a halt during the Second World War during which he graduated with a degree in chemistry from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. In 1946, Carmi was living in Italy and became a student of the painter Felice Casorati, whose work remained an inspiration for his own in the next decade. In the late 1950s, Carmi was tasked with promoting Cornigliano Steelworks and used steel and iron to create contemporary art to enhance the company’s image. This led to his first solo exhibition in 1958 at the Galleria Numero in Florence, where he presented enamel paintings on steel. During the 1960s and 1970s, Carmi focused on creating work inspired by the combination of industry and culture, leading to lithographs on tin plates and linking kinetic and audiovisual art. It was in the 1970s that he developed his signature geometric style, a contrast from the Art Informel style of the previous decades. He often used mathematical laws such as the Pythagoras theorem to create his precise geometric shapes, a nod to his training at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Established initially as Fratelli Saporiti in 1950, mid-century Italian furniture maker Saporiti Italia has a reputation for avant-garde and enduring designs, and its tables, chairs and cabinets inspire all who have had the pleasure of contemplating them.

Furniture designer Sergio Saporiti founded Fratelli Saporiti with a vision of creating pieces ahead of their time. By staying on top of the cultural shifts taking shape during the postwar era — and finding inspiration in the craftsmanship, durability and sensibility of Scandinavian design — Saporiti was able to tap into what the public wanted. His focus on using high-quality materials ensured that every welcoming chair and table could be used and enjoyed for decades to come.

In 1965, Saporiti collaborated with Italian designer Alberto Rosselli, a pioneer of the industrial design movement. They created such iconic pieces as the Confidential sofa, the Moby Dick chaise lounge and the Jumbo chair. In the 1970s, Saporiti initiated another collaboration with Italian designer Giovanni Offredi. The prolific partnership resulted in universally renowned designs like the Paracarro table and the Sail chair. Together, they also created the curving Wave sofa, which was popular in international markets.

The joint projects were a success, and the brand opened many international showrooms throughout the 1970s. This era also led to a partnership with Missoni — the celebrated Italian fashion brand worked closely with Giorgio Saporiti to create rugs and fabrics for its range of seating and more, and later, in 1983, Missoni expanded into home furnishings. At this time, the company officially rebranded as Saporiti Italia and released a line of customizable furniture, including the Avedon sofa, in collaboration with designer Mauro Lipparini.

Since then, Saporiti Italia has pivoted to furniture contracting and design management. To this day, the company remains under the ownership of the Saporiti family, and vintage Saporiti furniture continues to capture the imagination of collectors worldwide.

Find Saporiti Italia lounge chairs, coffee tables and sofas on 1stDibs.