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Achille Castiglioni Lighting

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.

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Creator: Achille Castiglioni
FLOS Stylos Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1984, the Stylos floor lamp illuminates with a striking simplicity that is anything but ordinary. A halogen ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

Castiglioni Modern Decorative LED Table or Desk Lamp in Orange & Black for FLOS
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
LED Lampadina Lamp Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this playful Achille Castiglioni design. This unique table lamp provides direct and d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

FLOS Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Black by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this playful Achille Castiglioni design. This unique table lamp provides direct and diffused light throug...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

FLOS Frisbi Pendant Light in Black by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its name invokes the iconic toy best played in a park, but this light is seriously smart. Offering three types of illumination—diffused, direct, and reflected—the FRISBI doubles down designed Achille Castiglioni’s ability to play with the power of illusion. Three barely-there, fine steel cables suspend the opal acrylic diffuser, making it appear as it if it is floating. A black metal stem and wire mesh basket...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

FLOS Taraxacum 88 Pendant Light by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Based on the original Taraxacum created in 1960, the Taraxacum 88 reflects the iconic design’s 1988 update and includes a mixture of deep incandescent lig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

FLOS Taraxacum 2 Pendant Light by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a wish: Named after the humble Dandelion, the Taraxacum pendant light astonishes with a gorgeously diffused blooming light. The white powd...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

FLOS Taraxacum 1 Pendant Light by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a wish: Named after the humble Dandelion, the Taraxacum pendant light astonishes with a gorgeously diffused blooming light. The white powder coated internal steel structure is s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pendant Lamp with Counter Weight by Achille Castiglioni Italy 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant Lamp with Counter Weight by Achille Castiglioni in aluminum. Original fair condition. The diameter and height given applies to the lampshade. Please note: Lamp should be fi...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

'Plisse' Flush Mounts by Achille Castiglioni for Flos
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Plisse' Flush Mounts by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1980. Pleated enameled outer skirts with a centered pill shaped glass diffuser. Each flush ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Italian Achille Castiglioni 'Light Ball' Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Flos, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous large flush mount light, wall lamp or ceiling lamp called "Light Ball" designed in Italy from Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Designed in 1965, this vintage brass variant comes with satin opaque glass which is screwed into the lamp. Please check out all pictures. This iconic mid-century design is quintessentially Italian. Nice patina and gorgeous dark vintage on the brass, loved from all real vintage lovers...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Brass

Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Viscontea A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shad...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Italian modern red floor lamp Toio by Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in MIlano, IT
Red floor lamp Toio by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Floor lamp mod. Toio with indirect light diffuser. The structure is made up of a rectangular base in red p...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Italian modern red floor lamp Toio by Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in MIlano, IT
Red floor lamp Toio by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Floor lamp mod. Toio with indirect light diffuser. The structure is made up of a rectangular base in red p...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Gibigiana desk lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Bristol, GB
Post modern Gibigiana table lamp designed in 1980 by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy. A moveable mirror reflects the light away from a hidden source within the lamp. Light inten...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shade. P...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Flos Stylos Floor Lamp Achille Castiglioni 1984 Italy
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Den Haag, NL
The Stylos floor lamp was designed by Achille Castiglioni for the Italian lighting manufacturer Flos in the year 1984. Stylos is a floor lamp that is distinguished by its timeless an...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Acrylic

Lampada da tavolo o da terra "Noce" di Achille Castiglioni per Flos, 1970
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Lampada da tavolo modello Noce di Achille Castiglioni per Flos (1972). Struttura in vetro stampato e alluminio laccato rosso. Attraverso la manopola laterale è possibile orientare i ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Rare floor lamp Flos Toio First edition by Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Montecchio Precalcino, VI
Flos Toio Floor Lamp First Edition *Rare*. Rare Flos floor lamp, model Toio designed by the Castiglioni brothers in the 1960s. The lamp in question is the first model, which can eas...
Category

1960s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

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

Materials

Carrara Marble, Steel

Achille Castiglioni, Lampadina Small Table Lamp
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in London, GB
Its name means, literally, "bulb," and it's easy to see why with one look at this playful 1972 Achille Castiglioni design. This unique table lamp provides direct and diffused light t...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Large 1960s Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo 'Light Ball' Wall or Ceiling Lamp
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Glendale, CA
Large 1960s Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo 'Light Ball' Wall or Ceiling Lamp. Designed in 1965, this rare variant is executed in attractively patinated brass and opaline glass. A...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Brass

1 of 4 "Padina" Wall Lamps by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy - 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Berlin, DE
1 of 4 Padina Wall Lamps in Aluminum by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Good original condition. Please note: Lamp should be fitted professionally in accordance to local requirements.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Grip Floor Lamp Designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos 1984
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Post-modern Grip floor lamp, designed by Achille Castiglioni, in 1985. manufactured by Flos, Italy. Painted Steel & Aluminum, Plastic. With makers bedge. The lamp creates a spot ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

Achille Castiglioni Bibip Floor Lamp
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Dronten, NL
Very rare Bibip floor lamp designed in 1976 by legendary Italian designer Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Beautiful but also very practical design that can be used both as an uplighter...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

Pair of Cocoon Gilt Base Table Lamps by Castiglioni Brothers, Italy 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning pair of cocoon table lamps with gilt metal base. These rare table lamps were designed by Achille Castiglioni in Italy during the 1960s. This gorgeous pair of table lamps feature a gold metal base with a beige "cocoon" lampshade with an amazing patina. The lampshade is made in a soft natural resin mounted over a round steel frame. The contrast between the gold base and the round beige shades is extremely elegant. When lit the effect is simply breathtaking. The lamps are in amazing conditions with no rips, they come wired and tested and have an E14 socket, compatible with both US and EU standards. A lovely pair of organic table lamps...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of 2 Wall Lamps by Achille Castiglioni in Cast Glass, Italy - 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 2 Wall Lamps by Achille Castiglioni in Cast Glass, Italy - 1960s. Please note: Lamp should be fitted professionally in accordance to local requirements.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Frisbi Pendant Light by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Achille Castiglioni Born in Milan in 1918, Achille he pursued a degree in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano University .He used fundamental principles to make his works, ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Flos Taraxacum 88 Suspension 1 By Achille Castiglioni Italy Lamp Pendant
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Berlin, BE
Taraxacum 88 Suspension 1 By Achille Castiglioni designed 1988 and manufactured by Flos. Suspension lamp providing direct and reflected lighting. Stru...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Lampada da tavolo Lampadina di Achille e Piergiacomo Castiglioni per Flos, 1972
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in MIlano, IT
Lampada da tavolo o da comodino modello Lampadina, con base in alluminio, composta da due dischi paralleli, fra i quali viene avvolto il cavo elettrico. Nella parte centrale è presen...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Green Acrylic Pendant Lamp 4017 by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Dronten, NL
Very rare Mid-Century Modern Italian pendant. This was the first lighting design by Achille Castiglioni, manufactured by Kartell. Made of nickel-plated steel with an acrylic shade it looks very contemporary, but it is vintage Mid-Century Modern! Wired for use in the USA. Achille Castiglioni (1918–2002) stands as a luminary in the realm of industrial design, renowned for his avant-garde creations and innovative approach. An Italian maestro, he co-founded the famed design studio, "Achille Castiglioni & Pio Manzù," and later collaborated with his brothers, Pier Giacomo and Livio. Castiglioni's iconic pieces, such as the Arco Lamp and the Sella Stool...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Nickel

20th Century Achille & Piergiacomo Castiglioni Chandelier Viscontea for Flos
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Turin, Turin
Achille Castiglioni (Milan, 1918 - 2002) was one of the most prominent architects, designers and academics on the Italian and international scene. The last of the three Castiglioni b...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

FLOS Table Lamp Snoopy by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1st Edition
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern FLOS Table Lamp Snoopy by Achille Castiglioni, 1st Edition. This iconic table lamp “Snoopy” by the Italian Design brothers Achille and Giacomo Castiglioni is a v...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Taraxacum 88 wall/ceiling lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1988.
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Athens, Attiki
Taraxacum 88 wall/ceiling lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1988. Taraxacum is the Latin term for dandelion. With a total of 15 lamps, the wall light is reminiscent of this widespread plant. Just like the seeds of the dandelion, three lamps are arranged on each of the five triangular aluminium surfaces of the Flos Taraxacum 88...
Category

1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

White "Light Ball" by Flos, Italian Wall or Ceiling Lamp, Castiglioni 1960s
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous white Light Ball, designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos in Italy in the 1960s. in white metal and opal glass. This fantastic lamp was designed by Castiglioni for Arteluc...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Lampada da terra Arco italiana di metà secolo dei fratelli Castiglioni per Flos
By Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Lampada da terra modello Arco a luce diretta con base di marmo bianco di Carrara e stelo telescopico in acciaio inossidabile satinato. Riflettore orientabile e regolabile in altezza in alluminio stampato, lucidato e zapponato. Prodotta da Flos nel 1960 ca. e disegnata da Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni nel 1962. Buone condizioni, impianto ricablato. Misure 220x24x240h cm Bellissima e iconica lampada da terra, unica nel suo genere, molto famosa per la sua particolare forma leggera e sottile ma monumentale allo stesso tempo. Uno dei pezzi di design più famosi in tutti il mondo, perfetta in case piccole e grandi...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Marble, Metal

Light Ball Lamp by: Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Light Ball Lamp by: Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Classic 1950s Italian flush or wall mount light fixture in darkened brass and blown glass. Wired with a single E26 medium base...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Brass

Floor, Table Lamp Noce T by Achille Castiflioni for Flos
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Padova, IT
Iconic floor side lamp Noce T designed by Achille Castiglioni and produced by Flos 1970s. It owes its name to the rounded shape that suggests a half walnut. T...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Italian modern applique Parter by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern applique Parter by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Applique mod. Parter. The structure is in gunmetal gray painted metal with a glossy finish and is composed of a ...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, Italy, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Resin

Flos Diabolo Pendant in Brown by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pendant light with direct lighting designed by A. Castiglioni, composed of a ceiling rose and diffuser. Body in aluminium with external paint in 3 different colour options (shiny white, beaver brown, and cherry red), while the inside of the diffuser is shiny white. The diffuser may be moved vertically from 95 to 240 cm using the cable reel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos 'Toio' Floor Lamp, Italy 1960
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Naples, IT
Floor lamp model Toio designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in the 1960s. Black lacquered metal base, hexagonal chrome drawn as a stem equipped with fishing rod l...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Gibigiana Lamp Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1980s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in toronto, CA
Flos’s mission was to revolutionize the lighting industry by exploiting new materials, starting with Eisenkeil’s “cocoon floss” polyamide. In the early years of Flos, design was overseen first by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, followed by his brother Achille and Tobia Scarpa, and then Scarpa’s wife, Afra. The resulting products were intriguingly futuristic looking, such as the Castiglionis’ Viscontea Lamp (1960), Taraxacum Chandelier (1960), and Gato Table Light (1960), as well as the Scarpas’ Fantasma Floor Lamp (1960s). The effect of the cocoon allowed for a soft, ambient glow. Other signature Flos pieces include the classic Arco Lamp (1962) by the Castiglioni brothers; the Parentesi Lamp (1971) by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu, which was the first piece in the Flos collection...
Category

1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern White Metall Wall Lamps by Achille Castiglioni, Italy 1980s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern White Metall Wall Lamps by Achille Castiglioni, Italy 1980s. Crafted with the meticulous attention to detail for which Achille Castiglioni is renowned, the "Giovi...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Castiglioni Metal "Light Ball" Italian Sconce for Arteluce and Flos, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Arteluce
Located in Roma, IT
Incredibly rare first edition of the famous "Light Ball" applique by Castiglioni in white metal and opal glass. This fantastic lamp was designed by Castiglioni for Arteluce and produced in Italy by Flos in the 1960s. This fantastic lamp was designed by Castiglioni for Arteluce and produced in Italy by Flos in the 1960s. This fantastic light is unique because of the materials, made of white enameled metal and opal glass. It can be mounted on the wall or on the ceiling. The wall light has been tested, it uses an E27 light bulb. It is signed on the backplate by both Arteluce and Flos. A fantastic piece that will grace a mid-century living room or bathroom. Measures (cms): diameter - 42 height - 32 Literature: Casa Amica, 27 June 1972, p. 105 Octagon 30 September 1973, p. 149 Sergio Polano, Achille Castiglioni all the works, Electa, Milano, 2001, p. 224 Giuliana Gramigna, repertoire 1950-2000, Allemandi, Torino, 2003, p. 121. The beginnings of Flos (meaning “flower” in Latin) blossomed from a brilliant idea: to create objects, starting with a light bulb, that would change the way of life for both the Italian market and the foreign markets. Dino Gavina and the small Eisenkeil manufacturing facility in Merano, had already been creating furniture alongside design masters such as Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Afra and Tobia Scarpa. But by the early 1960s, Gavina became convinced the time had come to create new lamps. Using the same technology – conceived in the USA and tested at Eisenkeil – used for the Cocoon lampthe Castiglioni brothers and the Scarpa duo began creating lamps such as the Taraxacum or the Fantasma, with many other beautiful and surprising lamps to follow. And so, from day one, Flos was already reinventing the idea of artificial lighting. Achille Castiglioni (born February 16, 1918, Milan–died December 2, 2002, Milan) was a prolific furniture, lighting, and product Italian designer renown for his ironic, joyful, creative and functional designs that, at times, intersected with ideas explored by conceptual artists. Achille Castiglioni was born into a family with deep appreciation for the arts, as he was the third son of sculptor and coin engraver Giannino Castiglioni and his wife Livia Bolla. He first studied the classics at the Liceo Classico Giuseppe Parini, but then switched to study art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan. In 1937, he decided to follow the steps of his two elder brothers, architects Livio and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, by enrolling in the Faculty of Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, graduating in 1944–after having to interrupt his studies when he was stationed in Greece and Sicily during World War II. In 1944, immediately after graduating, Achille Castiglioni joined his brothers Livio and Pier Giacomo in the design studio that they had founded with Livio’s classmate Luigi Caccia Dominioni in 1937 in Milan. Fortunately for Achille, from the very beginning Livio and Pier Giacomo decided to focus almost entirely on designing exhibitions, furniture, housewares, and appliances since architectural commissions were difficult to come by during the war. This product-design focus, and the deep fraternal bound among the three brothers, would later allow the young Achille to experiment early in his career with emerging techniques and new materials that could communicate a fresh aesthetic sensibility suited for the positive outlook of the post-war European market. The Castiglioni brothers’ important collaboration with Phonola and Brionvega In 1940, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Livio Castiglioni, and Luigi Caccia Dominioni, in collaboration withe the Phonola company, presented in the VII Triennale di Milano (Milan Triennial), titled Exhibition of the Radio, a research study of radio devices that included the Fimi Phonola 547 radio, the first radio encased in Bakelite instead of wood. Shortly after the exhibition, Luigi Caccia Dominioni suspended his professional activity to serve in the military during World War II and left the studio. The development of the FImi Phonola 547 radio would prove fruitful for the three brothers, as it allowed Livio Castiglioni to cement his role as the leading design consultant for Phonola from 1940 until 1960, and for Brionvega, from 1960 until 1964. These relationships brought in further collaboration among the three brothers, and would eventually result in several designs for radio and sound appliances with innovative materials and shapes for which Achille Castiglioni played a key role, such as the RR 226 stereo system for Brinovega (1965), the radio phonograph RR 126 for Brinovega (1965), and the radio and record player RR 128 for Brionvega (1966) In 1952, Livio decided to build his own practice, independent from Achille and Pier Giacomo, to pursue a deeper exploration of radio waves, music, and technology. But the three brothers would continued to collaborate closely in several projects, and the partnership between Achille and Pier Giacomo became so tight that from 1952 until 1968, when Pier Giacomo died, they co-authored most of their designs. Achille Castiglioni Long Career as Light Designer During this period, the Castiglioni brothers participated in the Italian Exhibition of Furniture (RIMA), where they successfully introduced a series of curved-plywood furniture, and presented important designs, such as the Tubino lamp (1949), originally produced by Italian light maker Arteluce from 1949 until 1974, and reintroduced by FLOS since the late 1970s; and the Luminator lamp (1955), originally produced by Gilardi & Barzaghi, but reintroduced by FLOS in the late 1960s. A new, successful, and long-lasting collaboration developed in 1960, when Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni were reached by entrepreneurial Italian designer Dino Gavina and business man Arturo Eisenkeil with the idea to create a completely new kind of lighting fixtures utilizing a polyamide. The material, which they called “cocoon,” in the hands of the Castiglioni brothers would become a popular and iconic innovation in the 1960s and serve as the successful foundation of Italian lighting company FLOS–founded by Gavina and Eisenkeil in 1962. Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni designed a series of “cocoon” lights utilizing the spray-on polyamide plastic as a coating layer onto a metal frame. Among the most popular Castiglioni “cocoon” lights are: the Taraxacum and the Viscontea ceiling lamps (1960), and the Gatto table lamp (1961). Other of the important lamp designs by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni for FLOS are the Beehive -or Splügen Braü lamp (1961), Toio –or Toy lamp...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Marble and Steel Arco Lamp for FLOS, 1967
By Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vicenza, IT
Arco lamp designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962 and manufactured by the Italian brand FLOS in 1967. Excellent vintage condition. From the outside, it looks like ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Carrara Marble, Steel

Early Arco lamp designed by Pier Giacomo & Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1962
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Arco Floor lamp designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in 1962 manufactured by Flos, Italy in the 1960ies. With makers bedge on inner side of the lamp shade. Famou...
Category

1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Marble, Steel

Original First Edition ‘Snoopy’, Table Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo, 1967
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in London, GB
A rare original first edition ‘Snoopy’, table lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni For Flos c1967. Enamelled shade on marble base, all in superb condition, wired to UK standa...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Marble

Floor Lamp Grip by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1980s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Roma, IT
Floor Lamp Grip by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1985. Black lacquered tubular metal, plastic. Flos original label. H 130 cm. D 25 cm. Very Good condi...
Category

1980s Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

"Arco" Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, circa 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Skokie, IL
Achille Castiglioni "Arco" floor lamp for Flos, Italy, circa 1970s The Arco floor lamp offers timeless design and quality. Inspired by street lanterns, this modern classic is incl...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Marble, Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel

FLOS Aoy Table Lamp by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modern table lamp features a clear glass cylindrical outer body. A white opal glass diffuser/reflector is inside the cylinder on the top part of the body. The lamp is made from hand-blown glass—there are no metal pieces involved. Offering diffused light, this lamp offers a bonus for its feline fans: Castiglioni included an opening on the bottom that creates a snug, warm space...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Glass

Gibigiana Desk Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in McKinney, TX
Achille Castiglioni for Flos Gibigiana lamp Milan, Italy, circa 1980 enameled steel, aluminum, silvered glass molded manufacturer's mark to underside 3 3/4"w x 5"d x 17 1/2"h ...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Taraxacum Wall Sconces by Achille Castiglioni for FLOS
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of wall sconces made of five panels of molded aluminum covered with fifteen large bulbs, offering a very diffuse light hue. Designed by Achille Castiglioni for the Italian manuf...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Stylos Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy, White Acrylic
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stylos floor lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy in 1984. The lower lamp illuminates the column at the base. and the upper bulb prov...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Metal

Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Green by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Green by Achille Castiglioni Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this playf...
Category

20th Century Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Taraxacum by Achille Castiglioni for FLOS
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Rarer version of the Taraxacum 88, this is the 120 lights version from the early 2000s of the Classic Achille Castiglioni’s design by Flos. Made of panels of molded aluminum covered ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in White by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in White by Achille Castiglioni Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this playful...
Category

20th Century Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Taraxacum S1 Pendant Light by Achille Castiglioni for Flos
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Renens, CH
Taraxacum S1 hanging light designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1988. Taraxacum S1 is known as a variation of the famous Taraxacum 1 which Castiglioni designed for Flos alre...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Achille Castiglioni Glass Flush Mounts Velella Lamps, Italy, 1960
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vienna, AT
Two Velella opal flush mounts by Flos, Italy 1960 -sold individually Set of 2 Achille Castiglioni flush mounts lamps, Italy, 1960. Sold individually. Wonderful lights by Flos made f...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Achille Castiglioni Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Achille Castiglioni lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Achille Castiglioni lighting 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 lighting, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 80 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 11 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lighting 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 lighting by Guzzini, Aldo Londi, and Banci Firenze. Prices for Achille Castiglioni lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $200 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,836.

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