Italian ‘Model 603’ Cherry Sideboard attributed to Silvio Coppola for Bernini, 1960s

An Italian ‘Model 603’ sideboard attributed to Silvio Coppola for Bernini from the 1960s, crafted in solid cherry. The façade is organized through a series of paneled cabinet doors and drawers, their simple rectangular geometry lending rhythm across the length of the piece. Subtle recessed panels and round wooden pulls maintain a cohesive visual language, while the warm cherry surface reveals a soft, natural grain that deepens in tone with age.

Supported by sturdy, squared legs, the sideboard has a grounded stance. The slightly projecting top introduces a gentle shadow line, reinforcing the clarity of the design while adding subtle dimensionality.

Behind the doors, the interior offers generous storage compartments that are fitted with shelving, revealing an interior finished with the same level of precision as the exterior. This sideboard is equally suited to anchoring a dining room, library, or grand living space.

Literature: Domus 435 (Februrary 1966), pubblicità Ottagono 1 (April 1966), p. 92 catalogo Bernini anni '70.

Silvio Coppola (1920–1985) was an Italian architect and designer trained at the Politecnico di Milano, whose work bridged architecture, interiors, industrial design, and visual communication. He designed buildings in Baghdad, university housing in Zaire, and residential and hospitality projects across Italy, later serving as design architect for the European Economic Community’s Development Fund.

Coppola collaborated with leading firms such as Alessi, Cassina, Bayer, and Parmalat, and in 1967 co-founded the Exhibition Design research group with Bruno Munari and Giovanni Grignani. His work earned the Palme d’Or for advertising in 1962 and the Rizzoli Prize in 1966, and he taught design in Essen and Wuppertal. Today, his furniture and lighting designs are held in museums throughout Europe and America.