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.
Elba Lunga Chaise by Franco Raggi for Cappellini, Italy, 1980s
By Cappellini, Franco Raggi
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and rare Elba Lunga chaise longue designed by Franco Raggi for Cappellini, Italy, circa 1980s. This striking piece exemplifies Raggi’s poetic approach to postmodern desi...
Stainless Steel
Three Sofa de Luxe Chaise longue by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Three Sofa de Luxe defies the traditional function of a furnishing accent that is commonly perceived as merely a seat. For this collection, Jasper Morrison plays with this concep...
Leather, Fabric, Plywood
Orgone Chaise longue in Fiberglass by Marc Newson for Cappellini
By Marc Newson, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Also suitable for use in outdoor settings, the Orgone bench was designed by Marc Newson. This chaise longue has fluid lines and is made entirely of glossy lacquered fibreglass. The a...
Fiberglass
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
$7,800
H 30 in W 96 in D 42 in
Vintage Curved Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional in the 1980s. Great flowing lines with signature disc bases and thick lucite center support. Fabric is origi...
Fabric, Wood
Zyklus Longue Chair By Peter Maly for COR 1980s
By Peter Maly
Located in Čelinac, BA
Peter Maly Zyklus longue Chair for COR 1980s
Chrome
Dutch 'Backbone' Chaise Longue in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chaise lounge, teak, aluminium and fabric, The Netherlands, 1990s. This exceptional Dutch chaise longue features a seating area crafted from teak...
Steel
$18,343 / set
H 26.38 in W 212.6 in D 37.41 in
Jasper Morrison Super Oblong Modular Sofa Set Design Cappellini Italy
By Jasper Morrison
Located in Krefeld, DE
This rare Super Oblong modular sofa set was designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Italy and exemplifies Morrison’s philosophy of understated, intelligent design. Composed of ...
Cotton
$34,000
H 30.75 in W 63.75 in D 27.5 in
Franco Albini, Early Rocking "PS16" Chaise Lounge, Sycamore, 1960s, Poggi, Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A rare and early "PS16", cotton, cord and sycamore rocking chaise lounge designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi, Italy, 1950s-1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Pr...
Cotton, Cord, Sycamore
1980s Petite Cow Print Cloud Chaise Lounge
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare, chaise you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful chaise is statement piece which ...
Upholstery, Wood
Leather BoConcept Chaise Longue
By BoConcept
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage BoConcept chaise lounge with relax function. In natural black leather, chrome steel base/legs. Label: BoConcept. Very good vintage condition.
Metal, Chrome
$2,992Sale Price / set|23% Off
H 30.32 in W 41.34 in D 22.84 in
Chaise Longue Genni for Zanotta by Gabriele Mucchi 70s
By Zanotta, Gabriele Mucchi
Located in bari, IT
Chaise longue model Genni, design Gabriele Mucchi for Zanotta. Chrome-plated steel frame. Springing on steel spirals. Seat adjustable to two positions. Polyurethane padding. Leather upholstery cushions and armrests. Ottoman measurements W 55 D 43 H 35 cm Founded by Aurelio Zanotta, the company immediately began to involve well-known names in Italian design and architecture in the production process. These included Achille Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti, Marco Zanuso, Ettore Sottsass, Joe Colombo, Alessandro Mendini, Piero Gatti...
Steel
Costes Chair By Philippe Starck for Driade 1980s
By Philippe Starck
Located in Čelinac, BA
Philippe Starck Costes chair for Driade 1980s
Leather, Plywood
$3,303Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.95 in W 50.01 in D 35.83 in
Vico Magistretti Veranda Lounge Chair for Cassina, Italy, 1980s
By Vico Magistretti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Milan, IT
Veranda adjustable lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 1980.
Metal
Philippe Chaise Longue by Dom Edizioni
By Dom Edizioni
Located in Milan, IT
A superb addition to a contemporary or classic home, this chaise longue is a celebration of sophisticated lounging. The wooden structure is visible in the lacquered feet that support...
Other
$1,650 / set
H 27 in W 17 in D 13.5 in
Jasper Morrison Hi Pad Counter Stools for Cappellini - Set of Three
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Three Hi Pad counter stools with foot rests designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini. The Hi Pad stool features a seat in beech plywood padded with multi-density polyurethan...
Steel
Tom Dixon Bird Chaise Lounge for Cappellini
By Tom Dixon, Cappellini
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural Bird rocking chaise lounge rendered in blue Hallinglal wool by Tom Dixon for Cappellini. The very rare and unusual furniture typology of the rocking chaise longue is exp...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Rare David Trubridge “Body Raft” Chaise Lounge, New Zealand, 2000
By David Trubridge, Cappellini, Joseph Walsh, Wendell Castle
Located in Miami, FL
Extremely rare and no longer in production Body Raft Chaise Lounge by David Trubirdge, constructed of Ash and Hoop Pine. A form that a took over a decade to perfect. Produced in Davi...
Ash, Pine
Marc Newson Orgone Chaise Green Longue Bench Scuptural for Cappellini
By Marc Newson, Cappellini
Located in Wayne, NJ
Marc Newson Orgone chaise longue bench for Cappellini.