This article forms part of the Decorative and Applied Arts Encyclopedia, a master reference hub providing a structured overview of design history, materials, movements, and practitioners.
Dino Gavina (b.1922) was an Italian furniture entrepreneur.
Biography
He founded the firm Gavina in Foligno in 1960 as a subsidiary of his Dino Gavina company. Architect-designer Carlo Scarpa was appointed its titular president. The designs of Franco Albini and the earlier 1920s models of Marcel Breuer were reproduced. Breuer’s 1928 B32 chair, renamed Cesca (after Breuer’s daughter Francesca), became highly successful in mass production and was followed by the reissue of the 1925 Wassily chair, 1924 Laccio tables, 1935 bentwood chaise, and 1955 Canaan desk. Its most distinguished Neo-Liberty design was the 1959 Sanluca armchair by the Castiglioni brothers with its curvaceous form. Gavina produced the Tomasa folding chair, taken from a 15th- century painting by Paolo Uccello. Having met Kazuhide Takahama at 1954 (X) Triennale di Milano, Gavina commissioned him to design furniture for the firm, starting with 1965 Marcel, Raymond, and Suzanne sofas. The firm produced the 1966 Malitte seating configuration designed by Sebastian Matta. Designers included Ignazio Gardella, Tobia Scarpa, Renzo Masetti, Vico Magistretti, and Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper. In 1962, Gavina formed Flos for lighting manufacture with board members Maria Simoncini and Cesare Cassina.
In 1968, Gavina was bought by Knoll International, and Gavina established Simón International to produce furniture.
Today, Dino Gavina is remembered for his entrepreneurial skills and for being one of the most influential figures in industrial design.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.
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