Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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.
19
2
to
19
2
21
14
14
19
1
1
2
19
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
14
19
13
20
13
19
13
19
13
19
13
19
17
9
9
8
2
21
21
406
167
167
111
61
Creator: Vico Magistretti
CIRENE 03 OFFICE DESK ARMCHAIR DESiGNED BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR DE PADOVA
By Vico Magistretti
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Vico Magistretti Cirene 03 bent Ash office desk chair made for De Padova
Please note the delivery fee...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Ash
Vico Magistretti, Set of 4 "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Italian Modern, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 iconic "Carimate" armchairs in solid beech wood and straw.
Designed by Italian designer Vico Magistretti, made at Cassina in 1970s.
This model was designed for "Carimate G...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scandinavian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Zinc White by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Pale Blue by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Pale Grey by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Armchair in Blue by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Anthracite by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Navy Blue by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Armchair in Beige by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Armchair in Black by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its elegant lines, sober colours and practical usage make Maui an extremely versatile chair, capable of satisfying the widest demands of the business and residential market. Maui cha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Armchair in Acid Green by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Purple Red by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira ArmChair in Teal by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Armchair in Orange by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Red by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira ArmChair in Red by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Blue by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Teal by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Beige by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Acid Green by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Grey by Vico Magistretti
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Related Items
Maralunga 675 Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Budapest, HU
Designed in 1973 by Vico Magistretti, and winner of a Compasso d’Oro award in 1979, the Maralunga 675 model immediately made its mark as an icon with great strength and impact on the...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Suede
Pair Saarinen Knoll Executive Chairs Black Leather Tilt Swivel Height Adjustable
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of contemporary (less than 10years old) Eero Saarinen Executive armchairs, with rolling swivel bases, Tilt and height adjustment seats, in black Volo leather upholstery.
Feat...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 32 in W 27 in D 25 in
Vico Magistretti Midcentury “Carimate” Dining Chair for Cassina, 1963, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 4 “Carimate” chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina in 1963.
Initially commissioned for the Carimate Golf club near Milan, they were then produced for t...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Beech
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 19.3 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 16.93 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.34 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 8
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of eight.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.34 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in
Philippe Starck for Kartell Clear Lucite Eros Swivel Italian Chairs, Set of 3
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 3 transparent Lucite Eros swivel chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell and made in Italy.
The seat is made out of acrylic and the base is aluminum.
Marked at the se...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 31 in W 24 in D 27 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 6
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of six.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 16.93 in
Maralunga armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Toronto, ON
In 1973, Vico Magistretti designed the Maralunga armchair for the Italian company Cassina. Magistretti was known for his designs that featured simple, essential shapes and the use of...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 8
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of eight.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 16.93 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
H 29.34 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Maralunga Armchairs by Vico Magistretti in Ocean Green Corduroy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Pair of Maralunga armchairs designed in 1973 by Vico Magistretti, coming from the first Cassina production (early Seventies), recently upholstered with corduroy.
Enveloping desig...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric
H 38.19 in W 39.38 in D 33.47 in
Previously Available Items
Vico Magistretti, Set of 4 "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Italian Modern, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 iconic Carimate dining chairs in solid wood and straw. Later painted black.
Designed by Italian designer Vico Magistretti, made at Cassina in 1970s.
This model was desig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scandinavian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 16.93 in
Carimate Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti, Set of Six
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of six ‘Carimate’ dining chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1962. The beautiful combination of natural mater...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Rush, Walnut
Office Chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Pasadena, CA
This extremely comfortable, sculptural leather desk chair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1975. features a curved metal sub-s...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of "Golem" Chairs by Vico Magistretti, 1970s
By Poggi, Vico Magistretti
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of "Golem" chairs in lacquered wood with leather covered upholstered seat by Vico Magistretti produced by Poggi. 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
H 50.01 in W 19.69 in L 50.01 in
De Padova Incisa Chair and Serbelloni Desk Chair in Saddle Leather
By Vico Magistretti, DePadova 1
Located in Dronten, NL
Incisa is a swivel armchair with outer cowhide cover, like a saddle. Hand stitching adorns the back and sides, forming soft curves, precious to the touch. The padded inner covering, ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Cotton
Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs, although blue editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 1 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original office chairs and desk chairs by Vico Magistretti were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider office chairs and desk chairs by Piero Lissoni, Poltrona Frau, and Kartell. Prices for Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $665 and can go as high as $4,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,030.
Creators Similar to Vico Magistretti
Questions About Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
- 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Vico Magistretti Furniture
Vico Magistretti Chairs
Vico Magistretti Dining Room Chairs
Vico Magistretti Armchairs
Vico Magistretti Sofas
Vico Magistretti Lounge Chairs
Vico Magistretti Sectional Sofas
Vico Magistretti Living Room Sets
Vico Magistretti Side Chairs
Vico Magistretti Ottomans and Poufs
Vico Magistretti Chaise Longues
Vico Magistretti Stools
Vico Magistretti Lighting