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.
2022 Giulio Cappellini for Cappellini Senior Desk w/ Leaf Left + Drawer in Oak
By Giulio Cappellini, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Senior Desk with Left Leaf and Drawer made of wenge stained oak. The desk was designed by Giulio Cappellini and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It dates to cir...
Metal
$5,445
H 30.12 in W 54.34 in D 41.93 in
Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1880 Victorian English oak antique knee hole 18 drawer desk A wonderful desk, ...
Leather, Oak
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 44 in D 25 in
Deco Bauhaus chrome 3 drawer desk by Wolfgang Hoffmann Desk for Howell
By Wolfgang Hoffmann, Howell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Deco Bauhaus chrome 3 drawer desk by Wolfgang Hoffmann Desk for Howell. Bent chrome tube structure with 3 drawers. Good vintage condition for its age shows wear and use to chrome and...
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll international Oval Desk with Drawer in Walnut 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Oval Desk with Drawer in Walnut, 1960 Iconic International Style design inspired by Mies van der Rohe. Material: Walnut oval surface, chrome-pl...
Steel
$10,922
H 20.48 in W 55.12 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme & Chambron Desk in Oak for Votre Maison, France 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Hellouw, NL
This Guillerme & Chambron desk, manufactured in the 1960s, is a beautiful example of mid-century French design. It is made of high-quality oak wood, which ensures a sturdy and durabl...
Oak
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 42.5 in D 29 in
Mission Oak/Tiger Oak Single Drawer Desk with Bookshelves
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice example of Arts and Crafts craftsmanship. This Mission Oak desk is made of oak and quarter sawn oak. It has a single drawer for storage and bookshelves built-in on bot...
Oak
Rway 4-Drawer Mid Century Desk in Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare Rway black mid century desk with silver hardware. This desk in in decent vintage condition with some considerable scratching to the top. Looks like It was used as a wr...
Steel
$3,300Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in W 48 in D 14 in
Modern Butterscotch Mosaic 2-Drawer Desk with Chocolate Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a very attractive and functional piece to be used as a writing desk or vanity in a modern home. Rich, warm, and modern, this desk can add sleek comfort to your space. Handcr...
Art Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
$14,500 / item
H 28.75 in W 56 in D 29.5 in
Severin Hansen for Haslevs Møbelfabrik Rosewood 4-Drawer Scandinavian Desk 1960s
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1960s by Danish designer Severin Hansen, this desk was produced by Haslevs Møbelfabrik. This factory is generally known for its great construction, and this des...
Brass
$7,500 / item
H 32 in W 56 in D 18 in
Modern Milano Leather 3-Drawer Desk with Sleek Cerused Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very functional writing, computer desk with 2 covered leather drawers on the side and in the middle a drawers that open to accommodate your writing keyboard. It fits perfectly your...
Metal
Scandinavian Style Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Paris, FR
Beautifull handmade Nordic style compact desk made of solid oak wood offering a real storage solution with three drawers, one secret compartment and two l...
Oak
$25,000
H 28.5 in W 69 in D 29.5 in
Restored Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen Rosewood 4-Drawer Desk Made in Denmark
By Søren Willadsen, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This desk was designed in the early 1950s by esteemed designer Nanna Ditzel for production by Søren Willadsen. Ditzel studied design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts with oth...
Rosewood
$3,360
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 55.12 in
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis "Arco" Office 3-Drawer Desk, Italy 1960s
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Naples, IT
Desk Mod. "Arco" designed by Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis in 1963. The desk has an iron frame and base on one side and has a case containing 3 drawers and the original metal was...
Iron