Carlo de Carli DC154 chest of drawers Sormani Italy 1963

Elegant chest of drawers, model DC154, designed by Carlo de Carli and made by Sormani in Italy in 1963. It comes in different versions, but the rosewood one is considered the finest. The wood has a beautiful grain, and it’s tastefully detailed with round bronze handles and pointed feet. This particular chest of drawers is in very good original condition. It’s a high-quality piece of furniture, known for its exceptional craftsmanship.

What makes it stand out is its striking rosewood veneer and luxurious solid bronze handles and feet. Carlo de Carli was known for paying great attention to small details, and in this case, it’s evident in the details on the legs and the bronze accents. The thin, pointed feet give the cabinet a floating appearance, making it look light and elegant. The bronze details have developed a beautiful patina over time. Inside, the cabinet is in excellent, clean condition. With three drawers, it offers plenty of storage, making it both beautiful and functional. It’s a rare and exquisite piece of furniture that’s hard to come by.

Carlo De Carli (1910-1999) was not only an architect and designer, who made a profound impact on design in the 20th century, but also one of Italy’s leading and most respected professors, who left a fundamental mark of theoretical reflections and ethics of behaviour in an entire generation of architects. He graduated in architecture from the Politecnico di Milan in 1934 – a university in which he was strongly connected to throughout his career, being Dean of the Faculty of Architecture from 1965 to 1968 and teaching there until 1986. A respected academic and writer, his philosophy focused on the integration of space, material and the human body and gesture, and with this ideology he effectively engaged a dialog between design, universities and the craftsmanship world. He worked with legendary architect and designer Gio Ponti, and his years with Ponti came to shape young Carlo De Carli’s language and approach to design. He later went on to set up a studio on his own, where his design quickly became widely recognized and manufactured by some of the most important and innovative Italian design companies.