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.
"Spirale" Ashtray by Achille Castiglioni for Bacci, Italy, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Bacci
Located in Milan, IT
Early Spirale ashtray by Achille Castiglioni for Bacci. Belgian black marble base and spring steel movable part.
Belgian Black Marble, Steel
Spirale ashtray in black marble by Achille Castiglioni, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vigevano, PV
Ashtray in Belgian black marble and steel spiral. 16 cm diam. 7.5 cm h. Metal plaque by Bacci Italia signed in the mold applied to the base of the bowl. Designed by Achille Castiglio...
Marble, Steel
Vintage Glass Ashtray, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage glass ashtray is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. Good conditions.
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Marble Ashtray, Vintage Catch All, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A handsome vintage Italian ashtray hand-carved from richly figured dark green marble, dating to circa 1970s. #5598 The substantial circular form features a deeply recessed center s...
Marble
Hand-Crafted Italian Murano Glass Ashtray by Bonimi, 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Murano thick glass ashtray by Bonimi.
Murano Glass
Onyx Ashtray, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
French onyx ashtray dating from the 1970s. Carved from a solid piece of natural stone, the ashtray features a square geometric form with a circular recessed center. The stone displays striking natural veining in cream, beige, honey and dark grey tones, making each section visually unique. Its substantial construction and polished surface give the piece an elegant, sculptural presence typical of decorative stone accessories from the 1970s. Both functional and decorative, it can also be repurposed as a small catchall or vide-poche for a desk, console or coffee table. Style : Mid-Century Modern Modernist Hollywood Regency Key Features : France, 1970s Natural onyx construction Square geometric form Circular recessed bowl Cream, beige and dark grey veining Polished stone surface Substantial sculptural appearance Functional ashtray or catchall Each natural stone pattern is unique Vintage condition consistent with age Keywords : French onyx ashtray, vintage onyx ashtray, 1970s ashtray, stone ashtray, Mid-Century ashtray, square onyx ashtray, natural stone catchall...
Onyx
$561
H 1.38 in Dm 7.88 in
Angelo Mangiarotti Large Round Ashtray in Arabescato Carrara Marble, Italy 1970s
By Knoll, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous large round ashtray carved from a single piece of precious Arabescato Carrara marble. This elegant and unique piece was produced in Italy...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Turquoise Crystal Ashtray signed by Moser, Italy, 1970s
By Moser
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional ashtray made of high-quality vibrant aquamarine colored crystal. This marvelous and unique piece was produced by Moser in Italy during the 1970s, and is signed on the bot...
Crystal
Original crystal glass ashtray by Mario Cioni, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Cioni
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Original crystal glass ashtray by Mario Cioni made in Italy in the 1970s. An elegant ashtray made of high-quality crystal, created by the legendary Italian master Mario Cioni. A spe...
Crystal
Vintage Marble Ashtray - Black, Beige and White Marbled, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage Marble Ashtray - Black, beige and white Marbled - timeless Design Italy 1970s - Very Decorative, Elegant Gift Idea, Table Decoration This vintage marble ashtray from the 197...
Marble
Sergio Asti for Up & Up Marble Bow or Ashtray l, Italy, 1970s
By Sergio Asti, Up&Up
Located in Naples, IT
Beautiful roundbowl or ashtray in black marble and white veins designed by Sergio Asti for Up&Up.
Marble
Original murano glass Sommerso ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage murano glass ashtray Sommerso made in Italy in the 1970s. The bowl is in good vintage condition. There is a minor chip, nothing serious. Dimensions: Width: 13 cm / 2.95 inc...
Murano Glass
White marble ashtray, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A white veined marble ashtray, dating from the 1970s, sculpted from a single block of stone. Its deliberately thick and stable circular shape highlights the raw material and the natural nuances of the marble, ranging from ivory white to gray and honey veins. The hand-carved notches emphasize its functionality while reinforcing its sculptural aspect. A simple and timeless decorative object, typical of the taste for fine materials in 20th-century design. Key Features : Origin: France Period: 1970s Material: Veined white marble Shape: Circular with carved cigarette rests Manufacturing: Carved from a single block of marble Style: Modernist/Subtle Brutalist Use: Decorative ashtray or trinket tray Condition: Good vintage condition, with slight natural marks consistent with age and the stone Keywords : vintage marble ashtray, white marble ashtray, 1970s design, carved marble, brutalist, modernist, decorative stone object, vintage French ashtray...
Marble
$550
H 0.6 in Dm 7.88 in
Set of 4 Ashtrays in Black Marble, attributed t Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful set of 4 triangular modular ashtrays in Belgian black marble attributed to Angelo Mangiarotti. Made in Italy during the 1970s. This stylish modular ashtray is made out of ...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble
Ashtray Achille Castiglioni for Bacci Model Spirale Italy 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
Achille Castiglioni ashtray for Bacci model Spirale. Belgian black marble ashtray and steel spiral. Under the base metal plate with maker's mark. Designed by Achille Castiglioni in t...
Marble, Steel
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 6.7 in
Italian modern steel ashtray Spirale by Achille Castiglioni for Alessi, 1990s
By Achille Castiglioni, Alessi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern steel ashtray Spirale by Achille Castiglioni for Alessi, 1990s Ashtray model Spirale with round base in stainless steel. A spiral spring rests in the round plate, whic...
Stainless Steel