A modern Renaissance man, Italian designer Carlo di Carli wove his personal philosophy into his furniture creations. He believed that furniture should suit human movement and the surrounding environment, and each piece was made not only with an eye to form but also for everyday practicality. In today’s interiors, vintage di Carli furniture captures the extraordinary essence of Italian mid-century modernism.
Carlo di Carli was born in Milan in 1910. He studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan and developed an interest in design, architecture, writing and philosophy. After graduating in 1934, he worked under revered Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Shortly afterward, di Carli opened a studio with furniture maker Renato Angeli. In 1940, he began a relationship with the Milan Triennial design and art museum, where he eventually joined the board of directors.
Most of di Carli's furniture and architectural works came to fruition between the 1940s and 1970s. His architectural projects included the Church of Saint Ildefonso and the Via dei Giardini 7 building in Milan. However, di Carli is best known for his chair and table designs.
What sets di Carli’s chairs and other seating apart from those of other designers is that they are made to be lived in. As a result, his comfortable, functional and inviting designs earned the attention of leading Italian furniture companies like Cassina, Singer & Sons, Tecno and GUBI, and he played a significant role in 20th-century Italian furniture design.
In 1954, di Carli was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for his Cassina Model 683 chair. In 1957, he also won a Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial exhibition for a chair he designed for Tecno. Still committed to his academic pursuits, di Carli served as dean of the architecture faculty at the Polytechnic University of Milan from 1963 to 1968. He continued teaching until 1986 and continued writing until his death in 1999. His most important writings were published in a book titled Architettura, Spazio Primario.
Find vintage Carlo di Carli armchairs, dining chairs and coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Carlo De Carli for Cassina '634' Dining Chairs in Walnut
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo De Carli for Cassina, set of six dining chairs, model '634', walnut, vinyl, Italy, 1954 These dining chairs by Carlo De Carli beautifully demonstrate the modernist principles ...
Walnut
1950’s Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2
By Carlo di Carli
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2 Available.
Mahogany
Set of 6 Chairs Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Walnut
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 chairs Mod. 693, Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina. Solid walnut, chairs have been recently recovered in a charcoal grey cotton velvet. Ready for a new home.
Faux Leather, Walnut
Carlo de Carli N63 Set of Six Dining Chairs, Italy 1960's
By Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
An early set of six Carlo de Carli N63 chairs in a dark finish, reupholstered in leather in early 2000. COM is available on request.
Leather, Mahogany
Carlo de Carli Boomerang Chair
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Sacile, PN
Beautiful boomerang chair by Carlo de Carli.
Brass, Iron
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Carlo Di Carli and Gio Ponti
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slick set of six dining chairs designed by Carlo Di Carli and Gio Ponti. Made of fine faux python skin and black lacquer wood. Made in Italy, c. 1950's. Dimensions: 34"H x 15.5"W x 17"D
Wood
$18,000 / set
Four Chairs by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored set of four model 634 dining chairs designed by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons. Reupholstered in a champagne velvet.
Wood
$12,900 / set
H 32.68 in W 16.93 in D 18.9 in
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of six. The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair d...
Rope, Ash
$3,800 / set
H 36.5 in W 14.5 in D 16 in
Set of Six Italian Modernist Steel and Brass Dining Chairs After Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six Italian steel dining chairs with brass finials/accents and beige handwoven plastic seats (ca. 1950s, Italy). A more unique take on the Gio Ponti "Superleggera" chair with ...
Brass, Steel
$17,200 / set
H 32.68 in W 16.93 in D 18.9 in
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of eight. The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair...
Rope, Ash
Set of Four #116 Dining Chairs by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of #116 Dining Chairs in walnut by Gio Ponti for M Singer & Sons of New York. The walnut frames are in wonderful vintage condition and the seats are newly papercorded.
Rush, Walnut
$6,580 / set
H 31.5 in W 30.71 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
Wood
$5,850 / set
H 34.25 in W 20 in D 17 in
Gio Ponti Attributed Mid Century Woven Cane Dining Chairs Set of Six
By Gio Ponti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs, attributed to Gio Ponti, Italy, circa 1950s. They have a deep espresso color wood frames with woven cane upholstery.
Cane, Wood
$29,377 / set
H 45.87 in W 19.38 in D 22.45 in
Set of six dining chairs attributed to Gio Ponti, Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
A sublime set of six high-back dining chairs in Oakwood and white Bouclè upholstery. Attributed to the work of Gio Ponti. Beautiful construction and wood details. Reminiscent of Gio...
Upholstery, Oak
$8,600 / set
H 32.68 in W 16.93 in D 18.9 in
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of four. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs, d...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs Set of Ten for Cassina
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs Set of Ten for Cassina Model 699 Italy, 1952 This set includes ten Leggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina. The c...
Faux Leather, Ash
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Carlo de Carli for Sormani
By Sormani, Carlo di Carli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Carlo de Carli for Sormani add elegant vintage Italian style to home or office seat...
Leather, Palisander
A rare set of Gio Ponti dining chairs. (Model #602)
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Manufacturer: Cassina model #601 Date made: circa 1950 Material: walnut and fabric Size: 17.5”w x 20”d x 34”h Country: Italy Literature: Gio Ponti. Ugo La Pietra. Rizzoli Milan...
Walnut
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fe...
Steel
Sold
H 33.47 in W 18.12 in D 21.66 in
Carlo De Carli for Cassina Set of Four '671' Dining Chairs in Walnut
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo De Carli for Cassina, set of four dining chairs, model '671', walnut, corduroy fabric, Italy, 1957 These dining chairs by Carlo De Carli beautifully demonstrate the modernist...
Fabric, Walnut
Carlo de Carli Set of Rosewood Chairs in Olive Green Upholstery
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo de Carli for Cassina, chairs model 693, walnut and green faux leather, 1958. This Italian set of dining chairs is part of the midcentury design collection. These chairs are de...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Carlo de Carli Set of 12 Dining Room Chairs in Walnut for Cassina
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo de Carli for Cassina, set of 12 dining chairs model 693, in walnut and red faux-leather, Italy, 1959. Set of twelve beautiful dining chairs by Italian designer Carlo di Carli....
Faux Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 18.71 in D 17.92 in
Carlo de Carli Set of Eight Dining Room Chairs in Walnut for Cassina
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight dining chairs model 693, in walnut and faux-leather by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Italy, 1959. Set of eight beautiful dining chairs by Italian designer Carlo di Carl...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-Century Model 634 Chairs by Carlo De Carli - a Pair
By Cassina, M. Singer & Sons, Carlo di Carli
Located in Raleigh, NC
The Model 634 side chairs, designed by the esteemed Italian architect and furniture designer Carlo de Carli in the early 1950s, represent a pinnacle of mid-century modern elegance an...
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
1950’s Vintage Carlo De Carli Dining Side Chair - 1 of 8
By Carlo di Carli
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Vintage Carlo De Carli Dining Side Chair - 1 of 8 Available.
Mahogany
(One) Carlo de Carli Chair Mod.634 By Cassina, Italy C.1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Montréal, QC
Carlo De Carli was a pivotal 20th-century architect and designer, renowned for his significant contributions to design and education in Italy, Graduating from Politecnico di Milan in...
Walnut
Set of Four Carlo De Carli Walnut Dining Armchairs
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of four mid-century modern Italian walnut dining armchairs designed by Carlo De Carli (Italian 1910-1999) for Cassina. The set consists of all armchairs model #585 with a ri...
Fabric, Walnut
Model 671 Dining Chairs by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, Set of 12
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of 12 Model 671 dining chairs by Carlo De Carli for Cassina. These rare chairs were designed in mid-20th century Italy. Originally created for the Parco del Principi Hotel in R...
Bouclé
Sold
H 33.75 in W 18 in D 17 in
Carlo de Carli Italian Dining Chairs Set of 8 Refinished In Your Color Choice
By M. Singer & Sons, Carlo di Carli
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Eight Italian Mid Century Dining Chairs, designed by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons, Italy, circa 1950s. These chairs were refinished in an ivory color lacquer and reuphol...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 8 chairs by Carlo De Carli For Cassina, C.1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Montréal, QC
Carlo De Carli was a pivotal 20th-century architect and designer, renowned for his significant contributions to design and education in Italy, Graduating from Politecnico di Milan in...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Carlo De Carli dining chairs Model 634 by Figli di Amedeo Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Set of eight walnut and velvet fabric chairs, produced by Cassina, model 634, designed by Carlo De Carli in the 1950s. The essence of Italian design, which characterizes mid-1950s f...
Velvet, Walnut