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.
Rocchetto Stool designed by Achille Castiglioni for Kartell, Italy, 1969
By Achille Castiglioni, Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
Rocchetto Stool designed by Achille Castiglioni for Kartell, Italy, 1969 The Rocchetto stool, designed by Achille Castiglioni and produced by Kartell in 1969, perfectly reflects t...
Plastic
pink metal & leather 1960/70s occasional stool Sella by Castiglioni for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare occasional stool "sella" designed by Achille Castiglioni in the 1950s. This stool belongs to the 1960/70s production. Leather seat by brooks (old metal label); chrome plated and...
Metal, Steel, Chrome, Iron
Achille Castiglioni for Kartell Pair of Space-Age Yellow & Black Plastic Stools
By Kartell, Achille Castiglioni, Beylerian LTD
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1970s by Achille Castiglioni, this pair of stools features a top-bottom style symmetrical design and is made of bright yellow plastic. They exude fun and joy while re...
Upholstery, Plastic
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Set of Twelve 'Castiglia' Dining Chairs
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Archille Castiglioni for Zanotta, set of twelve dining chairs, model Castiglia, chromed aluminum, faux leather, Italy, design 1968 These iconic 'Castiglia' chairs were designed by t...
Aluminum, Chrome
Irma Design Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s, Set of four
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Vintage design dining chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta model Irma. Black lacquered metal structures with leather seats and backs.
Metal
Meritalia Fix Squre Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Meritalia, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Achille Castiglioni ‘Castiglia’ Chairs, 1968, Zanotta
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Kampen, NL
A pair of ‘Castiglia’ chairs, designed in 1968 by famous italian architect and designer Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta. These chairs feature a chromed tubular steel frame with seaml...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Blue Castiglietta Dining Chairs by Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1960s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely pair of stackable Castiglietta Chairs in blue fabric. These iconic chairs were designed by Achille Castglioni and produced by Zanotta in Ita...
Steel, Chrome
Metal, Black Leather Castiglia Chairs by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Set of 4
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 4 stackable armchairs in chromed tubular metal, seat and back in black leather and spring structure for a comfortable seat. Model "2062 Castiglia" designed by A. Castiglioni a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Castiglietta Pair of Office or Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian chairs model 2062 by Achille Castiglioni & Marccelo for Zanotta year 1967 minale. Chairs are new reupholstered in leather.
Leather
Zanotta Servento Screen in Red Steel Post with Canvas by Achille Castiglioni
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Servento Screen in Red Steel Post with Canvas by Achille Castiglioni Base in black, white or red painted polypropylene. Steel support rod, painted in the shade black, whit...
Steel
Meritalia Fix Squre Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Meritalia Fix Squre Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Meritalia Fix Rectangular Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Meritalia, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Meritalia Fix Rectangular Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Meritalia, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Meritalia Fix Rectangular Bench Upholstered in Wool by Achille Castiglioni
By Meritalia, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fix bench by Achille Castiglioni is composed of two elements: a simple painted metal structure and a classic wool mattress as a seat. This sober and functional design reveals Ca...
Fabric, Wool
Set of 8 “Irma” Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Hellouw, NL
The "Irma" chair, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni in the 1970s and produced by the esteemed Italian furniture company Zanotta, stands as a timeless test...
Steel
Pair of "Irma" chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Argelato, BO
The "Irma" chair by Achille Castiglioni produced by Zanotta is composed of an elegant structure in black steel tube, which makes it more resistant than the previous one, with seat an...
Steel
Modern Vintage Red Stool Mezzadro Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 1950 Italy
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern Italian vintage stool Mezzadro by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 1950s for Zanotta circa 1978. An iconic gorgeous stool from metal and beech in silver, red and brown color tones. This design icon Mezzadro designed 1950s and manufactured circa 1978 is an early example and in good condition with some signs of age and use, like corrosion and minor abrasions. Marked with the company's name underneath the seat. This splashy stool with a tractor seat in fresh red color brings a playful vibe into any interior and opens up your Traditional, Rustic or Contemporary interior. The Mezzadro stool features rural and simple elements and turned into a an iconic design piece, which is represented in many museums and collections. Easy removable seat, support rod from chromed metal and beechwood, all these simple elements forms a timeless and brightly statement piece. We love this stool in particular for its fresh vibe and we love to combine with Traditional desks...
Metal
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Mezzadro Stool, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in London, GB
First designed by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed in 1957, Mezzadro was put into production by Zanotta in 1970 for the exhibition “Shapes and colours in today...
Metal
Set of six ‘Irma’ dining chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy, 1979
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A rare and visually striking set of six Irma dining chairs, designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta in 1979. Named after Castiglioni’s wife, Irma Barni, the model reflects the de...
Iron
Achille Castiglioni "Primate" leather stool for Zanotta Italy, 1970
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Skokie, IL
Achille Castiglioni "Primate" kneeling stool for Zanotta Italy, 1970 Dimensions: 18 1/2" h x 19.5" w x 31 1/2" d Materials: leather, plastic, chrome-plated steel Condition: Excel...
Stainless Steel
Pair of ‘Ginevra’ Armchairs in Stained Wood by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Berlin, BE
Pair of ‘Ginevra’ armchairs in stained wood by Achille Castiglioni Bonacina, 1979 Additional information: Material: Stained wood (bois teinté) Artist: Achille Castiglioni S...
Wood
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Mezzadro Stool
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The first model of the stool was presented at the 1954 Milan Triennial. It was presented under the banner of Art and Production.
Chrome, Metal
Lo of 4 Chairs "Irma" Design Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid set of 4 "irma" model chairs, design achille castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s made of black lacquered metal, with seat and back in light brown leather they measure 90 cm...
Metal
Modern Red Vintage Stool Mezzadro Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni , 1950s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage stool Mezzadro by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 1950s for Zanotta circa 1978. An iconic gorgeous stool from metal and beech in red, silver and bro...
Metal
Italian mid-century modern chairs Lierna by Castiglioni for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina, Achille Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern black chairs Lierna by Achille Castiglioni for Gavina, 1960s Pair of chairs model Lierna with black leather seat. The black-painted wooden backrest is comp...
Leather, Wood
Zanotta Primate Kneeling Stool in White Leather by Achille Castiglioni
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Primate Kneeling Stool in White Leather by Achille Castiglioni Stiff polyurethane frame. Base in black painted polystyrene. Flexible polyure...
Leather
Italian Space Age Orange Plastic Rocchetto Stools by Castiglioni Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell, Achille Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age orange plastic Rocchetto stools by Castiglioni for Kartell, 1970s Pair of Rocchetto stools in bright orange plastic. The structure ha...
Leather, Plastic
Achille Castiglioni, Armchair Model “Primate”, 1970
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, ES
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) Armchair model “Primate” Manufactured by Zanotta Italy, 1970 Leather, steel, resin base Measurements 45 cm x 47 cm x 79h cm 17.71 in x 18.5...
Steel
Set of 4 "Mezzadro Tractor" Stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 4 "Mezzadro Tractor" stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970.
Metal