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.
Mate tray by Castiglioni for DePadova
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
Mate is a low table with folding base and removoble tray by Achille Castiglioni for De Padova, a masterpiece of functional elegance. This folding side table combines industrial simpl...
Wood, Cherry
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Black Pen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$1,358Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
Mid Century Wooden Bar Trolley with Removable Trays by Cesare Lacca, Italy, 1950
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Roma, IT
A trolley bar cart in the typical Italian style of the Mid-Century Modern Design. The design of this Bar Trolley is attributed to Cesare Lacca for the famous Italian furniture compa...
Brass
Wooden Tray Table Bamboo Style Legs
By Kindel Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning wooden tray table with faux bamboo leg design. hand painted, brass handles. Very good quality Kindel Tea Table, hand painted” Time Period Manufactured Post-1950 Original ...
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
Located in Water Mill, NY
19th century English mahogany butlers tray table on a bar height stand with brass hinges.
Brass
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Coal Black Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Art Deco Bar Cart With Removable Tray
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Bar Cart With Removable Tray. Nickeled metal with mirrored surfaces.
Metal
Trendig Bar Cart by Magnus Engman for Ikea
By IKEA
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2013. Birch construction, wheels roll for easy moving.
Birch
$10,049 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Black Pen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$1,480
H 22.65 in W 23 in D 16 in
Teak Reversible Tray Top Bar Cart or Tea Trolley by Sika Mobler, Denmark
By Sika Møbler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern teak bar cart or tea trolley has awesome lines! It features trapezoidal shaped sides, arced upper braces that support the two side’s tray top, a lower floating shelf held by brass pins, and Classic brass skinny 50s casters. The removable tray top has light grey laminate on one side (perfect for mixing your drinks without worry) and teak on the other - use it also to serve your guests. The arced struts that support it are notched (see close up) so that the tray stays in position and can't slide off. Perfect also as a printer cart...
Brass
$3,980
H 25.99 in W 29.93 in D 17.33 in
Neoclassical Style Brass Bar Cart with Removable Glass Tray By Maison Baguès
By Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful bar cart is made of brass with removable glass trays and bottles holder on the bottom shelf. This is a French work by famous Maison Baguès, circa 1940.
Brass
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass