Zoffoli: a family history
From Italo’s rudimentary lathe to Mattia’s modern workshop, from display windows in the heart of Rome, Milan, and Florence to those in London and New York.
The story of the Zoffoli brand and its unmistakable globes is rich and intense. It is a story worth exploring to truly understand how much passion and perseverance are enclosed within these elegant creations.
1949
Where it all began
It was 1949 when Italo Zoffoli founded his artisan workshop in the center of Rimini.
There, he turned wooden legs for furniture and bed posts on his lathe. Driven by his passion for geography and antique maps, he began crafting globes in his spare time—carving them by hand and having them delicately watercolored by his daughters and by nuns in the hills of Rimini.
1963
The Golden Lathe and international success
The beauty of Italo Zoffoli’s finely handcrafted globes did not go unnoticed. Between the 1950s and 60s, he had a unique and brilliant idea: in his workshop, the first bar globes were born—an innovation that would lead him, in 1963, to win the coveted Golden Lathe Award, granted by the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
This marked the beginning of Zoffoli’s national and international success. The brand first expanded into France and Germany, then overseas, eventually conquering the American market.
1990
Growth and new designs
From the 1970s through the 1980s, Zoffoli globes made their way into a wide variety of markets, gaining recognition around the world.
To meet increasing demand, the production process was gradually modernized—allowing the company to create its iconic décor pieces more efficiently, without ever compromising on the quality that had always set them apart.
In the 1990s, the product range expanded to include the first design globes: eye-catching and evocative objects, perfectly suited to contemporary interiors thanks to their unique materials and aesthetics.
2006
A new direction
In 2006, Mattia, Italo’s grandson, took over the company, pushing its global growth even further.
By then, Zoffoli globes could be found everywhere—from the luxury windows of Barney’s on Madison Avenue in New York to the most exclusive stores in London. They even appeared on the sets of major films such as Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, and more.
2025
The birth of Zoffoli Living
The company took a bold step forward by launching two distinct brands, designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Zoffoli Living is built around the concept of home—a collection created to bring timeless elegance into everyday life, with objects that speak of style, memory, and discovery.
In parallel, the Zoffoli brand continues to represent the purest expression of our refined craftsmanship: an exclusive collection of design globes made with premium materials, intended for sophisticated spaces and interior design projects with a distinctive character.
Two complementary visions, united by the same passion for craftsmanship and the beauty of the world.
