When we think of Italian culture, we are reminded of a heritage unlike any other in the world – an extraordinary legacy of art, architecture, and craftsmanship.
The original intent of the project was to celebrate the Italian artifact, the timeless “masterpiece”, recognized worldwide. The Venetian gondola is one such icon – an unmistakable and romantic symbol that embodies both elegance and tradition, immortalized by masters such as Canaletto.
DOLFIN was born from the reinterpretation of the gondola’s most iconic detail: the bow stem (in ancient Venetian dialect: dolfin), a sculptural element that serves both decorative and functional purposes. With its flowing lines and graceful proportions, this small armchair translates the sumptuous Venetian style into a contemporary language, striking a balance between historical inspiration and modern sophistication.
Devised in collaboration with designer Luca Cotini in 2020, the small armchair won First Prize at the II Edition of the IDEAS4WOOD – Carpanelli Award by Tabu and was unveiled the following year at SuperSalone 2021.
As part of Carpanelli’s A New Touch of Elegance collection, the DOLFIN family later expanded to include an armchair and a bed (2024), a stool and a sofa (2026), developed in collaboration with the R&D department.
