Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi 'Rocca' Lounge Chair in Walnut

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 half of the 20th century, when designers were mixing rugged materials with sculptural aesthetics. Made from walnut, it has that solid, hand-hewn quality Rivadossi was known for. Each wooden element looks carefully chosen to accentuate the grain and natural texture. The overall shape is quite architectural: the thick, blocky legs rise straight up to form a sturdy frame, while the back and seat panels have a gentle curve that breaks up the otherwise rectilinear silhouette. Finger-jointed corners on the front add a distinctive, almost fortress-like detail (it is “Rocca,” after all, which means “fortress” in Italian). Despite the chair’s heft, the subtle bends in the seat and back create a sense of comfort and invite you to settle in, demonstrating Rivadossi’s knack for combining raw structural elements with a warm, human-centered design.

Giuseppe Rivadossi (1935) was born in Monteclana di Nave, Italy, where he continues to live and work. His journey with wood carving began at a young age, each piece embodying his poetic vision of life. In 1962, Rivadossi took over the carpentry business founded by his father, Clemente, in 1920, transforming it into an atelier, or rather a creative workshop. In 1976, Rivadossi and his collaborators established ‘Officina Rivadossi’, where he began crafting unique wooden objects and modern furniture, blending artistry with craftsmanship.

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