Achille Castiglioni

Italian, 1918-2002

Milanese designer and architect Achille Castiglioni sought to inject personality into all of his work, and found deep inspiration in everyday objects. A legend of Italian mid-century modernism, he created iconic, universally loved table lamps, chairs and other lighting and furniture with his likeminded brothers during the postwar years.

There was the Snoopy lamp, which brings to mind the unmistakable Peanuts character, while the shape of a common street lamp inspired the design behind the Arco floor lamp. Elsewhere, the Toio floor lamp — a provocative fixture in any living room — was made with automotive parts as well as run-of-the-mill recreational gear.

Castiglioni studied the classics at Liceo Classico Giuseppe Parini, art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and finally architecture and design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. After graduating in 1944, Castiglioni began working with his brothers Pier Giacomo and Livio at the studio they cofounded with classmate Luigi Caccia Dominioni.

Livio left to pursue lighting design and sound technology, leaving Achille and Pier Giacomo to continue to collaborate on various projects. One such design was the iconic Taraxacum hanging lamp for FLOS which featured a resin “cocoon” created with sprayed plastic polymers that protects its steel core and allows for the diffusion of light.

Castiglioni won Italy’s highest award for industrial design — the Compasso d’Oro — seven times, and the Museum of Modern Art was home to his first individual retrospective in the United States. Castiglioni later taught at the Polytechnic University of Turin and at Polytechnic in Milan.

Castiglioni’s designs remain timeless. Some of them can be found in Tokyo’s Living Design Center Ozone, the Triennale di Milano and the Hangaram Art Museum at the Seoul Arts Center.

Find vintage Achille Castiglioni lighting, seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$2,137

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Achille Castiglioni

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Arco Lamp

Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp

Snoopy Lamp

Stylos Floor Lamp

Velella Flush Mount or Wall Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos

$1,579 / item

H 7.88 in Dm 16.93 in

Velella Flush Mount or Wall Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos

By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni

Located in Milano, IT

The Velella lamp, designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in 1967, is an iconic example of Italian mid-century lighting design. Its distinctive circular silhouette, c...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal

Castiglioni Italian 1960 Mid Century Light

$3,800

H 2 in Dm 20 in

Castiglioni Italian 1960 Mid Century Light

By Achille Castiglioni

Located in New York, NY

A wonderful unique sculptural resin light by Italian designer, Achille Castiglioni circa 1960. 3 candelabra light sockets . Rewired . Brass aged fitting . And walnut cap.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Brass

Italian Frisbi 850 Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s

$1,214 / item

H 39.38 in Dm 23.63 in

Italian Frisbi 850 Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s

By Flos, Achille Castiglioni

Located in Hagenbach, DE

The Frisbi 850 pendant lamp, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni for Flos in the 1970s, is a striking example of minimalist elegance and innovative lighting...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal

Iconic "Taccia" Table Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s

$2,745

H 25.6 in Dm 19.69 in

Iconic "Taccia" Table Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s

By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos

Located in Brescia, Brescia

An iconic piece of Italian design, this Taccia table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos. It has been gently displayed only in a showroom window for a short period,...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Model Moni' 1190-1200 Ceiling Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s, Italy

$1,749 / item

H 5.91 in Dm 13.39 in

Model Moni' 1190-1200 Ceiling Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s, Italy

By Flos, Achille Castiglioni

Located in Hagenbach, DE

Model Moni' 1190 - 1200 ceiling lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with E14 light bulbs. Wired and sui...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Model "Giovi" Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s, Italy

$1,068

H 11.03 in W 11.03 in D 6.7 in

Model "Giovi" Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s, Italy

By Flos, Achille Castiglioni

Located in Hagenbach, DE

Model "Giovi" Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with E14 light bulbs. Wired and suitable to use ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Castiglioni Red Metal "Light Ball" Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Flos, Italy 1970s

$728Sale Price|20% Off

H 9.45 in Dm 12.6 in

Castiglioni Red Metal "Light Ball" Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Flos, Italy 1970s

By Achille Castiglioni, Flos

Located in The Hague, NL

Iconic mid-century “Light Ball” wall or ceiling lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni and manufactured by Flos in Italy during the 1970s. This striking design combines vibrant red ena...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Metal

Vintage Pier Giacomo Achille Castiglioni - Flos 'Arco' Marble & Steel Floor Lamp

$3,000

H 94.5 in W 86.6 in D 12.6 in

Vintage Pier Giacomo Achille Castiglioni - Flos 'Arco' Marble & Steel Floor Lamp

By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos

Located in Philadelphia, PA

The Carrera marble base has very slight, barely noticeable yellowing. Telescoping arm shows signs of light oxidation, but operates well. The polished and coated/sealed aluminum shade shows light scuffs and scratches. Wiring is original. Lamp works as it should. In very good shape for being ~70 years old. This lamp is not signed. I'm guessing the manufacturer's sticker label dried out and fell off. Typically, the labels were adhered to the ceramic bulb socket, which would heat up and dry out the glue. Also notice the small hole perforated diffuser, on which the polished aluminum shade rests and pivots, is unusual. Many lamps have the larger holes found on the more recently made examples. The small holes diffuser is found on the vintage Flos Arco...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Carrara Marble, Steel

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Achille Castiglioni Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$5,799	Industrial and Work Tables	Wood	1968
2026	$1,300	Chandeliers and Pendants	Resin	1960
2026	$3,182	Desks and Writing Tables	Wood	1970s
2025	$2,300	Wall Lights and Sconces, Flush Mount	Brass, Opaline Glass	circa 1960s
2025	$569	Chandeliers and Pendants	Steel, Plastic	Contemporary
2025	$1,100	Chandeliers and Pendants	Resin	circa 1960
2025	$150	Table Lamps	Aluminum	2000
2025	$1,746	Table Lamps	Metal, Pine, Wood, Resin, Rattan	Circa 1974
2025	$535	Table Lamps	Metal	1983
2025	$1,950	Benches	Metal, Plastic, Laminate	1980s
2025	$1,054	Chandeliers and Pendants	Resin	1960
2025	$1,380	Chandeliers and Pendants	Steel, Chrome, Acrylic	1978
2025	$720	Floor Lamps	Metal, Glass	1970s
2025	$1,491	Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières	Steel, Plastic	1980s
2025	$1,200	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Resin	circa 1960
2025	$5,500	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Plastic	1970s
2025	$1,800	Table Lamps	Metal, Murano Glass, Aluminum	1960s
2025	$2,280	Flush Mount	Metal, Opaline Glass	circa 1960
2025	$850	Flush Mount	Metal, Milk Glass	1967
2025	$4,900	Chandeliers and Pendants, Flush Mount	Metal, Resin	1960s

$2,137

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1-$7,020

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Achille Castiglioni Designs

Arco Lamp

Average Price

$3,840

Number Available

Arco Lamp

By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos

Materials

Metal, Marble, Stone, Steel, Aluminum

Styles

Mid Century Modern

It was a humble street light that inspired Achille Castiglioni (1918–2002) and his brother Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913–68) to design their Arco lamp. The two men, along with their eldest brother, Livio, were the sons of prominent Milanese sculptor Giannino Castiglioni, and all became trained architects. Achille graduated from the acclaimed Polytechnic University of Milan in 1944 and joined Pier Giacomo and Livio in the design studio they'd opened with Luigi Caccia Dominioni. With large arc...

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Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp

Average Price

$2,200

Number Available

Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp

By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Metal, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Modern

The idea of the readymade didn’t just upend the art world, it also provoked a wave of invention in design. This provocative spirit is alive and well in the Toio floor lamp, which sees an integration of automotive parts as well as everyday recreational gear. Along with their eldest brother, Livio, Pier Giacomo (1913–68) and Achille (1918–2002) Castiglioni were born in Milan and for a time, the three worked together in their own firm as architects and designers. While Livio departed the practic...

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Snoopy Lamp

Average Price

$1,421

Number Available

Snoopy Lamp

By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Metal, Marble, Stone

Styles

Mid Century Modern

With an oblong black head that sits atop a tilting white marble base, the Snoopy lamp’s shape playfully brings to mind the snout of the canine main character in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. The design, one of many innovative collaborations by the Italian brothers Achille (1918–2002) and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913–68), was introduced in 1967.After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1944, Achille joined the urban planning, architecture and industrial design s...

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Stylos Floor Lamp

Average Price

$1,313

Number Available

Stylos Floor Lamp

By Achille Castiglioni

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic, Metal, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Modern, Post Modern

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Achille Castiglioni furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Achille Castiglioni 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 Achille Castiglioni furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 120 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 75 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Achille Castiglioni 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 Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Angelo Brotto, and Tommaso Barbi. Prices for Achille Castiglioni furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $90 and can go as high as $27,507, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,950.

Questions About Achille Castiglioni

What is Achille Castiglioni famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
Achille Castiglioni is famous for his work as a designer and architect. The Milanese designer sought to inject personality into all of his work and found deep inspiration in everyday objects. A legend of Italian mid-century modernism, he created iconic, universally loved table lamps, chairs and other lighting and furniture with his like-minded brothers during the postwar years. Some of his most well-known pieces include the Arco lamp, the Snoopy lamp and the Taraxacum hanging lamp. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Achille Castiglioni furniture.