Pair of Alky Armchairs 70's by Designer Giancarlo Piretti
About the Item
- Creator:Giancarlo Piretti (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 26.38 in (67 cm)Width: 24.41 in (62 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:MADRID, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9633238953262
Alky Chair
In the 1960s, Giancarlo Piretti (b. 1940), who earned a degree in art education at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna and taught interior design, began working with the Italian manufacturer Castelli, where he would go on to produce some of the most popular chairs in the world. In 1969, he debuted the Alky, a sculptural, modernized riff on a slipper chair that appears to float above the ground.
Unlike most chairs, the Alky doesn’t have a distinctive base and seat; rather the entire form appears as one continuous piece, originally upholstered in velvet and wool and set on narrow, aluminum feet.
Much of Piretti’s popularity in the United States can be attributed to Castelli’s exhibition “The Piretti Collection” at the 1988 iteration of the NeoCon design exposition in Chicago. There, his ergonomic office seating earned him a slew of awards and led to increased global attention.
Compared to Piretti’s widely revered folding chairs and wheeling desk chairs (the Plia, of which millions have sold, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art; the DSC 106 is among Castelli’s best known), the Alky — no longer in production — is by far the most sumptuous design. Yet, as much as its shapely silhouette has made it a favorite of interior designers in residential and commercial spaces alike, it is also rooted in comfort. Its foam-covered back and seat give soft resistance, and the Alky chair’s organic shape perfectly cradles the sitter — a true mark of the modernist dedication to human-centric design.
Giancarlo Piretti
Giancarlo Piretti was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1940. He attended art schools there and subsequently taught Interior Design. During that time, he was also designing furniture for Anonima Castelli. He has won numerous awards and has items in many museums, including MoMA, New York. He still lives and works in Bologna with his son, designer Alessandro Piretti.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: MADRID, Spain
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Pair of Original Red Carimate Armchairs by Vico MagistrettiBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in MADRID, ESVico Magistretti (6 October 1920 - 19 September 2006) was an Italian industrial designer, dedicated to furniture and architecture. He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic in 1945, and became a follower of Ernesto Nathan Rogers. During the 1950s he devoted himself to designing mass-produced furniture. Some of his lamps are famous, such as the so-called Eclisse. Some of his designs can be found in important museums in Europe, the United States and Japan. The MoMA in New York houses objects...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsStraw, Zebra Wood
- Pair of Large Appliqués by Italian Designer Goffredo Reggiani, 1970sBy Goffredo ReggianiLocated in MADRID, ESPair of large wall lamps by the Italian designer Goffredo Reggiani with 10 light points each and tubular structure lacquered in the original red colour.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Gio Ponti Ultraleggera ChairsBy Gio PontiLocated in MADRID, ESGio Ponti designed this chair in the 1950s, commissioned by Cassina, a company that has been producing it continuously ever since. Fifty-seven years after its commercialisation, it ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Wood
- Original Carlo Scarpa ChairBy Carlo ScarpaLocated in MADRID, ESCarlo Scarpa chair lacquered in red and upholstered with Hermès fabric. About the artist: Carlo Scarpa (1906, Venice - 1978, Sendai, Japan) was an Itali...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of French Stools by Pierre GuaricheBy Pierre GuaricheLocated in MADRID, ESPair of french leather stools, 1960s, designed by Pierre Guariche. About the designer: A visionary designer, he brought a functionalist dimension to furniture without ever forgettin...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsIron
- Danish Chest of Drawers by Arne Wahl InversenBy Arne Wahl IversenLocated in MADRID, ESBorn on 9 November 1927 in Nyborg, Holland, Arne is a Danish furniture designer and architect. He became interested in furniture from his father, who had a shop in his hometown, and ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- Alky Armchair by Giancarlo PirettiBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Toronto, ONThe Alky armchair, created by Giancarlo Piretti in the late 1960s, continues to captivate with its distinctive lounge chair design, which remains unparalleled even today. This multif...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
MaterialsWool
- Alky Armchair by Giancarlo PirettiBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Toronto, ONThe Alky armchair, created by Giancarlo Piretti in the late 1960s, continues to captivate with its distinctive lounge chair design, which remains unparalleled even today. This multif...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
MaterialsWool, Bouclé
- 1970s Italian Modern Alky Chairs Alky by Giancarlo Piretti, a PairBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Roanoke, VAThese iconic 'Alky' lounges were designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli in the late 1970s. The lounges are known for their comfortable seating and iconic Italian design. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alky Armchair by Giancarlo PirettiBy Giancarlo Piretti, ArtifortLocated in PARIS, FRAlky armchair by Italian designer Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, 1970s. The structure is covered with thermoformed foam, and the base is made of aluminum. Good condition. This armch...Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsTextile
- Giancarlo Piretti Mid-Century Orange "Alky" Italian Armchairs, Castelli 1970sBy Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated in Roma, ITFantastic mid-century orange fabric "Alky" armchairs, designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Castelli in Italy during 1970s. These lovely Alky armchairs are fully original in...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Giancarlo Piretti Mid-Century Yellow "Alky" Italian Armchairs, Castelli 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Roma, ITFantastic mid-century yellow fabric "Alky" armchairs, designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Castelli in Italy during 1970s. These lovely Alky armchairs are fully original in...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum