In 1946, at the start of a postwar boom in Europe, Enrico Cappellini opened the doors to a small furniture studio in the Italian town of Carugo. But it wasn’t until his son joined the company nearly three decades later that Cappellini became a powerhouse fixture on the global design stage. Today Cappellini is one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of innovative chairs, tables and decorative objects.
Giulio Cappellini joined the family company in 1977 and, with his appointment, ushered in a stage of boundary-pushing modernism and prolific creativity at Cappellini. With a dual background in architecture and business management, Giulio was well equipped to steer the brand into both innovative design and economic growth in a rapidly globalizing economy.
The second-generation leader’s first major success came in 1981, with the launch of Sistemi, a modular, hyperfunctional storage system that would come to symbolize the chic functionality of Cappellini. That was quickly followed by a collaboration with renowned Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata for the Progetti Compiuti collection, a line that brought unexpected playfulness to the simple framework of a black-and-white cabinet and remains an iconic collectible today.
That first collaboration opened the doors to a prolific output of partnerships, with Cappellini tapping such star designers as Jasper Morrison, Marcel Wanders, Tom Dixon, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Nendo for collections over the ensuing decades that spanned a range of materials and styles. Speaking to this range, Marc Newson’s plumply curvaceous 1988 Embryo chair, Jasper Morrison’s slightly arachnoid 1987 Thinking Man’s chair and Tom Dixon’s sculptural 1991 S-chair — each quite stylistically unique — remain some of the company’s most recognizable pieces, with the latter in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Cappellini, now headquartered in Milan, continues to partner with guest designers across furniture, storage and lighting solutions, though many of its 1970s and ’80s designs remain its most coveted today.
Find vintage Cappellini furniture on 1stDibs.
Drum Large Armchair in Bielastico Color by Mac Stopa for Cappellini
By Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rock’n’ roll, baby! A tribute to the hexagonal drum pads from the 1980’s, the Drum armchair by Mac Stopa is an astonishing burst of energy. The sculptural de...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Plywood
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Elan Element Two Seat Sofa / Loveseat
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Elan Element Two Person Sofa/Chaise Lounge made with a metal frame and tan fabric. The sofa was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy...
Metal
Polished white fiberglass armchair, Lloyd Schwan for Cappellini Italy 1995
By Cappellini, Lloyd Schwan
Located in Catania, IT
Sculptural lounge chair made of reinforced fiberglass in glossy white on a heavy metal powder-coated base. "Statuette" was designed by the late Lloyd Schwan...
Metal
$5,885 / item
Mathare Bench in oak by Giacomo Moor for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Giacomo Moor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Young Milanese designer Giacomo Moor joins the Cappellini creative team with Mathare, a furniture collection born from the study of a construction system designed to ensure stability...
Wood, Oak
2022 Jasper Morrison 94in Loveseat Sofa Oblong System in Ultrasede Alcantara
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Oblong System Loveseat Sofa made with a metal frame and tan ultra suede (Alcantara) upholstery. This is sold together as a 94.5 inch sofa/loveseat, so both piec...
Metal
$3,850Sale Price / set|20% Off
PAIR OF CAPPELLINI LOTUS OFFICE LOUNGE ARMCHAiRS BY JASPER MORRISON
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Cappellini Lotus office swivel lounge armchairs desing...
Chrome
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Oblong System Sofa Alcantara / Ultrasuede
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Oblong System Sofa Module made with a metal frame and a tan ultra suede (alcantara) upholstery. This is the right arm module. The sofa module and system was des...
Metal
2022 Set of Four Nendo for Cappellini Peg Arm Chairs in Grit 14 w/ Bleached Ash
By Nendo, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four (4) Peg Armchairs made with bleached ash wood legs and light teal-green fabric (Grit 14). The chairs were designed by Nendo and produced by Cappellin...
Foam, Wood, Fabric
2022 Piero Lissoni for Cappellini Supersoft Chair with Armrest in Marrone/Grigio
By Cappellini, Piero Lissoni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Supersoft Armchair, on feet, made with a metal frame and grey woven fabric. The chair was designed by Piero Lissoni and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It date...
Metal
2022 Martin Solem Basso Daddy Longlegs Counter Stool in China Blue Ash w/ Base
By Martin Solem, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Daddy Longlegs Counter Stool made of walnut stained ash wood legs and a blue stained seat with a stainless steel footrest. The stool was designed by Martin Solem...
Stainless Steel
2022 Werner Aisslinger for Cappellini Juli Plastic Chair in Blue with Wood Legs
By Werner Aisslinger, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Juli Plastic Armchair made of blue polyethylene with bleached ash wood legs. The chair was designed by Werner Aisslinger and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It...
Wood
2022 AG Fronzoni for Cappellini '64 Chairs in Matte White Lacquer, 3x Available
By A. G. Fronzoni, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Fronzoni '64 Chairs, initially designed by AG Fronzoni in 1964. These examples date to 2022 and were produced by Cappellini in Italy. The listed price includes one chair, a...
Steel
2022 Martin Solem for Cappellini Alto Daddy Longlegs in Bleached Ash w/ Ash Base
By Martin Solem, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Daddy Longlegs Bar Stool made of bleached ash wood legs and seat with a stainless steel footrest. The stool was designed by Martin Solem and produced by Cappelli...
Stainless Steel
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Orla Two-Seater Small Sofa in Sahco Green
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Orla Small Sofa made with a metal frame and green woven fabric. The sofa was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It dates to circa...
Metal
Contemporary Design: Drum Chair, by Mac Stopa for Cappelini, 2000s
By Cappellini
Located in Renens, CH
Drum Chair designed by Mac Stopa in 2016 for Cappelini, Italy. Mac Stopa is Polish-born architect and designer, with a fascination for mathematics and geomet...
Metal