Anna Gili shows the world just how playful furniture design can be. Working with ceramics, Murano glass and a range of fabrics in the creation of her carpets, side tables, vases and other furnishings and objects, Gili demonstrates an academic mastery over her craft as well as copious natural artistic sensibilities. Her bold use of color and dazzling patterns has earned her an unshakable reputation for ingenuity and originality.
When Gili came onto the design scene in 1983, she was gripped by the energy of the Italian avant-garde movement. It gave her the freedom to explore the conventional limits of furniture design and would inspire her to incorporate art and architecture into the creation of her own furnishings, interior projects and decorative objects. Gili graduated from the Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche in Florence in 1984. It was the era of Memphis and loud, extroverted design, and her thesis project garnered attention from some of the day's postmodern influencers. She was invited to exhibit alongside Ettore Sottsass, Tobia Scarpa and others at the 1985 Triennale di Milano. In 1989, Gili moved from Florence to Milan and opened a studio.
Gili’s work often features human, plant and animal forms, and sometimes her designs feel as though they might come to life at any moment. At the same time, she uses exaggerated shapes and colors that lend the pieces a whimsical, dreamlike quality. She has been a prominent figure in the Italian furniture world for decades, and in fact, she inspired the design of Alessi’s iconic Anna G. corkscrews created by Alessandro Mendini, a legendary Milanese designer and friend of Gili’s.
Over the years, the Anna Gili Design Studio has amassed an esteemed list of partners. Her furnishings and decor have appeared in the collections of Alessi, Cassina, Swarovski, CVM, Salviati, Trend Mosaic and many others.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Anna Gili rugs, tables, decorative objects and more.
"Baby" Low Table by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni
By Fragile Edizioni, Anna Gili
Located in Milano, Lombardia
"Baby" low table from the "Petit Table" collection, designed by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni in 2015. A series of four coffee tables in a numbered edition with a zoomorphic inspira...
Ceramic, Glass
"Kuma" Low Table by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni, 2015
By Fragile Edizioni, Anna Gili
Located in Milano, Lombardia
"Kuma" low table from "PETit TABLE" collection, designed by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni in 2015. A series of four coffee tables in a limited edition with a zoomorphic inspiration,...
Ceramic, Glass
"Tiger" Low Table by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni, 2015
By Fragile Edizioni, Anna Gili
Located in Milano, Lombardia
"Tiger" low table from "Petit Table" collection, designed by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni in 2015. A series of four coffee tables in a limited edition with a zoomorphic inspiration...
Ceramic, Glass
"Dolly" Low Table by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni, 2015
By Fragile Edizioni, Anna Gili
Located in Milano, Lombardia
"Dolly" low table from "PETit TABLE" collection, designed by Anna Gili for Fragile Edizioni in 2015. A series of four coffee tables in a limited edition with a zoomorphic inspiration...
Ceramic, Glass
$1,519
H 25.99 in W 23.82 in D 18.31 in
"Leopoldo" coffee table by A.Citterio & G.O. Löw for Kartell - Italy - 1990s
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Milano, IT
The Leopoldo coffee table, designed in the 1990s by Antonio Citterio and Glen Löw for Kartell, is a perfect combination of minimalism and technical innovation. Characterized by an es...
Aluminum
Pair of Period Low Tables by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell
By Wolfgang Hoffmann
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of modernist low tables designed by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell were made circa 1938 and are in excellent almost original condition. The chrome is completely original and has almost no pitting or discoloration. The lacquer appears to be from the 1960s and we have had it polished out to maximize its shine and luster and is in good order as well. The tables retain original Howell labels to the underside. Wolfgang Hoffmann is the son of Joseph Hoffmann. Born in Vienna and trained to be working under his father's staff he married and moved for his early carrier to New York. His wife and he opened a design studio to create interior furniture and design for the modernist movement and was featured in House and Garden in 1929 with his custom furniture designs. In 1932 he was asked to contribute to the design and color scheme of the Chicago Worlds Fair as well as design the furniture and layout of the exhibits lumber industry house. Here is where he came into contact with the Howell Company...
Metal
$705
H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
MIdcentury "Componibili" Bedside Table, Anna Castelli for Kartell, Italy, 1960s
By Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Kartell
Located in Praha, CZ
- very practical - iconic model - marked - space age style
Plastic
Anna Karlin Block Side Table
By Anna Karlin
Located in New York, NY
Made of cold rolled steel, the table is finished in a light antique brass with a dark antique brass block base. The contrasting finishes accentuate the interlocking shapes. Available...
Steel
$540
H 19.3 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Midcentury "Componibili" Bedside Table, Anna Castelli for Kartell, Italy, 1960s
By Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Kartell
Located in Praha, CZ
- very practical - iconic model - marked - space age style
Plastic
Anna Karlin Chess Piece Side Table
By Anna Karlin
Located in New York, NY
Like chess pieces dotted across board, these sculptures are placed throughout a room. They are made to work in series or alone each of the four shapes is made from cold rolled steel ...
Steel
Anna Karlin Bump Table, Shape C
By Anna Karlin
Located in New York, NY
Carved from travertine or wood, these tables take their cue from carved Igbo Stools. There are four variations in the series. Given the nature of the material, there are various shades and coloring that exist within any given block of travertine. Each set of tables are guaranteed to match, but the exact stone variation will fall...
Travertine
$3,085 / item
H 12.21 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Low Round Leather Coffee Table Scala by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
By Stephane Parmentier
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary low round leather coffee table - Scala by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following...
Leather, Wood
Anna Karlin Marble Block Side Table, A
By Anna Karlin
Located in New York, NY
Interlocking shapes in contrasting colors of marble make up this sculptural side table. Materials: A: Calacatta Viola Top, Onice Marrone Base Dimensions: 12" W x 18" H x 12" D Cus...
Marble
Anna Karlin Marble Block Side Table, B
By Anna Karlin
Located in New York, NY
Interlocking shapes in contrasting colors of marble make up this sculptural side table. Materials: B: Arabescato Rosso Orobico Top, Picasso Green Base Dimensions: 12" W x 18" H x 1...
Marble
Baby Walnut Sutherland Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century Sutherland table, the oval well-figured burr walnut inlaid top with a moulded edge. Raised up on turned legs united by stre...
Walnut
Side Table 001 'Low' by Archive for Space
By Archive for Space
Located in London, GB
Side table 001 is a made to order design by Archive for Space, a multidisciplinary design practice founded in London in 2019. Side Table 001 was designe...
Steel