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.
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 "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
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
Lo of 4 Chairs "Irma" Design Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
$1,651 / set
H 26.19 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Metal, Black Leather Castiglia Chairs by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Set of 4
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
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
$5,207 / set
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 16.15 in
Six Dining Chairs "Model 101", by Gianfranco Frattini For Cassina, Italy 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of six Italian dining chairs, model 101, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1960s and manufactured by Cassina. Fine rosewood combined with mint-colored fabric upholstery by L...
Fabric, Wood
George Coslin Set of Six Chairs for Faram Early Sixties
By Faram Furniture, George Coslin
Located in bari, IT
Set of six chairs curved iron frame synthetic fabric seat designer George Coslin production Faram 1960s .
Metal
Pair of Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Soho, London, GB
Pair of office chairs from the administrative offices of Chandigarh (PJ-SI-28-B).
Cane, Teak
$1,404
H 19.89 in W 17.13 in D 18.9 in
Mezzadro Tractor Stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mezzadro Tractor Stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s Italian design - Seating - Vintage Measures : 43,5x48cm H:50,5cm Materials : Steel - metal - wood M...
Metal, Steel
$5,014 / set
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
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
Dining chairs by Luigi Vaghi for Former, 1960s, set of 6
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 wooden chairs with red-orange fabric seats by Luigi Vaghi. Seat height: 45 cm. Wear due to age and age of chairs. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Unusual French 1960s Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of Six French Mid-Century Dining Chairs with tapered mahogany legs, a cut-out back and brass details. (end caps protection of back legs are removable)
Brass
$946 / set
H 29.93 in W 18.9 in D 20.48 in
Pair of Chrome Dining Armchairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy, 1987
By Zanotta, David Palterer
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Artistic and stylish pair of side / dining chairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy. The chairs are made in chromed tubular frame that features a floating backrest. The wood is ma...
Chrome
$7,628Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Erik Buch 1960s Dining Chairs Set of 8 1960s mid century modern Blue
By Erik Buch
Located in Lewes, England
Very rare set of 8 1960s dining chairs designed by Erich Buch for Nova Stolefabrik Superb find - these are very unusual pieces and in good structural condition with teak colour wood...
Birch
Zanotta Dismountable Safari Chair
By Zanotta, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptionally rare 1970s lounge chair in ash and canvas made by Zanotta. The chair is very solid and disassembles completely when desired. In wonderful vintage condition. All leather...
Canvas, Ash
$1,651 / set
H 32.68 in W 20.48 in D 18.12 in
Marcel Breuer for Thonet Pair of "Cesca" Chairs, Italy 1970s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Naples, IT
Set of 2 mod chairs." Cesca" designed by Marcel Breuer, black-stained walnut wood backrest, chromed steel tubular frame and Vienna straw. Mark Thonet. Marcel Breuer conceived the fi...
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.71 in
Group of six Irma Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1980s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 6 chairs, enameled metal frame, leather seat and back.
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 26.97 in
Quattro Sedie Castiglia di Achille Castiglioni e Marcello Minale per Zanotta
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
Gruppo di 4 sedie in tubolare cromato e cuoio. Buone condizioni.
Metal
Sold
H 20.08 in W 16.54 in D 12.21 in
Pair of Vintage Mezzadro Stools Wood Steel Enamel Italian 1977Design Castiglione
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in London, GB
"Mezzadro" A pair of iconic mid-century Italian design stools, metal seat and structure on a wooden stand designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in the 1950s and produced since 1971. This stool is made of four elements. An elastic chromium plated steel stem supports the seat, which is made of lacquered and printed metal sheet. Ground support is ensured by a footrest in steam-treated, natural coloured beech. Mezzadro, a must have, in private homes and public spaces makes room for the concept of object trouve...
Steel
Set of 8 Black Leather Irma Chairs by Achille Castigliono for Zenotta
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1979 set of 8 Irma dining chairs designed by Achille Castigliono for Zenotta. The chairs have black metal frames with a distinctive angled backrest and are upholstered in black...
Metal
Sold
H 80 in W 41 in D 44 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Tric Gray Folding Chair by A. Castiglioni, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Tric gray folding chair by A. Castiglioni, 1970s Folding chair Tric with structure in curved beech wood and seat made of molded plywood painted in gray. P...
Metal
Sold
H 80 in W 41 in D 44 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Tric Yellow Folding Chair by A. Castiglioni, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Tric yellow folding chair by A. Castiglioni, 1970s Folding chair Tric with structure in curved beech wood and seat made of molded plywood painted in yello...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 23.63 in
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Dining Leather Chairs Model Castiglia, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
"Castiglia" italian dining room chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni and Marcello Minale for Zanotta in 1968, steel frame, seat and back in leather. Signature engraved on one leg ...
Steel
Sold
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Six Chairs by Castiglioni for Zanotta Varnished Metal Nylon Leather, 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
A group of six chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Irma model. Varnished tubular metal, nylon feet, seat and backrest covered with leather. Manufactured in Italy, 1970s-1980s.
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.51 in
Six Chairs 'Irma' by Achille Castiglioni Metal Nylon Leather Zanotta, 1980s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
A group of six chairs 'Irma' by Achille Castiglioni. Tubular varnished metal, nylon feet, seat and back covered with leather. Manufactured in Italy by Zanotta in the 1980s.
Metal