Vico Magistretti Furniture
Italian, 1920-2006
As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, “There is no excuse for bad design.” His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.
Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogers’s vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistretti’s first architectural designs is a “poetic” round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.
When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his father’s architectural firm. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.
In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassina’s luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.
Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistretti’s Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.
“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralunga’s slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italy’s Compasso d’Oro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.
Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.
Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Vico Magistretti
Italian Midcentury Brown Armchairs Sofa Loden by Magistretti for Cassina 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century brown Armchairs and sofa Loden by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1960s
Living room set composed of a pair of armchairs and a two-seater sofa mod. Loden with struc...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Cassina by Vico Magistretti Maralunga Grey Three-Seater Sofa
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973, the Maralunga sofa has become a true design icon.
Upholstered in soft grey fabric, the sofa features the signature adjustable headrests and folded armrests...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Italian Midcentury Glass Metal Erse Table Lamp by Magistretti for Artemide 1960
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern white opaline glass and nickel-plated metal Erse table lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s.
Erse model table lamp, with structure, round base and...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Eclisse Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Roma, IT
Eclisse prodotta in Artemide è sicuramente la lampada modernariato più iconica che esista. Vico Magistretti lo disegnò nel 1965 e con questo progetto vinse il premio "Compasso d'oro"...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Iron
Italian Modern Table Lamps Mezzachimera by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Table lamps mod. Mezzachimera by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
Pair of iconic and elegant table lamps mod. Mezzachimera in opaline plexiglass with an irregular...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Veranda Two Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage red fabric veranda two seater sofa/daybed designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
Beautiful lively red colour and black lacquered metal frame.
The chair is adjustable...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Dalu" Tabla Lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Naples, IT
Dalu table lamp in black and white. Designed in 1965 by Vico Magistretti for Artemide.
Made of ABS-Plastic, with original plug.
Two are available, one white and one black.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Vico Magistretti Sconces "Grande Mania" in Glass, circa 1960s a pair Large
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vico Magistretti wall lamps "Grande Mania", a pair Large
Made in Italy, 1960s.
Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame.
A...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vico Magistretti Italian Midcentury Sofa from 1980s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in bari, IT
Vico Magistretti two-seat sofa model "veranda" for Cassina.
The seat elements, whose padding is in polyurethane foam and polyester wadding covered in fabric or leather, have a foldin...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sonora Suspension Lamp Oluce Metal Italy 1976
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
Suspension lamp model 'Sonora' designed by Vico Magistretti in 1976. Small version with direct and diffused light, with metal diffuser.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
Louisiana Armchair by De Padova Leather Foam Italy 1980s
By Vico Magistretti, ICF De Padova
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair with footrest, foam padding, leather and hide upholstery. Good conditions, with small signs of usage.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Leather, Foam
'Lyndon 160' Outdoor Lamp by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brussels , BE
Made for Oluce, 2000s.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
3-Seater Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofas / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
This example features green-grey velvet with colored pattern. While the fabric holds strong, re-covering in new fabric is recommended. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look that never fails to turn heads in the living room. They are also extremely comfortable. The height of the sofa with fully extended headrest is 40 in (100 cm) and 30 in (71 cm) when fully compressed.
It has been professionally laundered and is clean, however, the fabric remains discolored. Structurally sound in every respect and an excellent candidates for re-covering according to decorator's desire.
While origin stories behind the world’s timeless designs vary widely, the story of the Maralunga sofa is one of the best in design lore: As legend has it, when Cassina founder Cesare Cassina first saw the prototype for the piece in the mid-1970s by Italian furniture designer Vico Magistretti (1920–2006), he was so disgusted by it that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumbled over itself . . . into the shape the piece would eventually take. (“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” Magistretti allegedly responded.)
Whether it was his accidental adjustment or further consideration of the design, Cassina clearly came around: His company debuted Magistretti’s design in 1973. The Maralunga is characterized by what looks like a slumped backrest but is really an adjustable-height headrest, moved by way of a bicycle chain...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Clinio Flush Mount Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clinio Flush Mount Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa 1960's. Opaline glass diffusers .Enamele...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal
1970s Pair of 2-Seater Maralunga Sofas by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Organic Modern pair of Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofas / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
This pair features their original knitted wool upholstery...
Category
1970s Italian Organic Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vico Magistretti 905 Armchair for Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milan, IT
Vico Magistretti 905 armchair for Cassina, Italy, 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pair of Red Vicario Lounge Chairs Design by Vico Magistretti Made by Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in London, GB
A pair of original armchairs or lounge chairs named "Vicario" in a deep red plastic by renowned Italian Designer Vico Magistretti from 1969. Manufactured by Artemide. Stamped to base...
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Cassina Maralunga Red Berry Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Cassina Modell Maralunga leather sofa
It has a convertible headrest.
The color is a red berry semianiline leather.
Great patina.
A classic Italian masterpiece with high comfort m...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Foam
Atollo Model 238 BR Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 238 table lamp by Vico Magistretti. The iconic Atollo table lamp was originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1977. This is a current production manufactured in Ita...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Atollo Model 233 BR Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 233 table lamp by Vico Magistretti. The iconic Atollo table lamp was originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1977. This is a current production manufactured in Ita...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
Atollo Model 239 BR Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 239 table lamp by Vico Magistretti. The iconic Atollo table lamp was originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1977. This is a current production manufactured in Ita...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Atollo Model 239 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Atollo model 239 table lamp originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1977. Provides direct light as a table or bedside lamp. All gloss ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Lyndon 450 Suspension Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lyndon 450 suspension light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Originally designed in 1977. Current production manufactured in Italy. Chromium-plated metal structure, globes in transpare...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Atollo Model 233 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atollo Model 233 table lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Current production manufactured in Italy. Opal glass diffuser and stem. Atollo is available...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Glass
Atollo Model 233 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atollo Model 233 table lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Current production manufactured in Italy. Satin gold plated aluminum. Atollo is available i...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Two-Seat Maralunga Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Voorburg, NL
A wonderful Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This beauty was designed in 1973 and quickly became a design Classic. Its clever design incorporates manipulatable back cu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Leather
Cassina Maralunga Ensemble Leather Sofa and 2 Chairs and 1 Ottoman
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Cassina Modell Maralunga in Mint condition.
The condition is like new. It was used only for several months.
This set consist a 3-seat Sofa.
2 armchairs und 1 ottoman.
The leather...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Foam
Atollo Model 238 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Atollo model 238 table lamp originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1977. Provides direct light as a table or bedside lamp. All gloss ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Three Selene Chairs and Stadio Table
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Set of three selene chairs and a black Stadio table by Vico Magistretti by studio Artemide. The black chair is in good condition, except for some scratches and some little dents of t...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Vico Magistretti "Caori" Coffee or Cocktail Table for Knoll
By Vico Magistretti, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic Caori table designed by Vico Magistretti for Knoll, rendered in black lacquered oak and stainless steal, 1969.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Model 345 Pascal Floor Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Pascal 345 floor lamp was originally designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1983. This re-edition utilizes reflected uplight. The solid base is made of Pietra Serena stone. Sh...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture
Materials
Stone, Aluminum
Vico Magistretti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Vico Magistretti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 434 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 156 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Vico Magistretti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Joe Colombo, Carlo Nason, and Gaetano Sciolari. Prices for Vico Magistretti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $125 and can go as high as $33,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,860.
Creators Similar to Vico Magistretti
Questions About Vico Magistretti Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Carimate chair for Cassina is one of the most celebrated pieces of Vico Magistretti but this designer is also well known for the Eclipse Table Lamp, Selene Stacking Chair, Chimera Lamp and more. He is seen as one of Italy’s most influential industrial designers, furniture designers and architects. Shop a collection of Magistretti furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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