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Carlo di Carli

Italian, 1910-1999

A modern Renaissance man, Italian designer Carlo di Carli wove his personal philosophy into his furniture creations. He believed that furniture should suit human movement and the surrounding environment, and each piece was made not only with an eye to form but also for everyday practicality. In today’s interiors, vintage di Carli furniture captures the extraordinary essence of Italian mid-century modernism.

Carlo di Carli was born in Milan in 1910. He studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan and developed an interest in design, architecture, writing and philosophy. After graduating in 1934, he worked under revered Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Shortly afterward, di Carli opened a studio with furniture maker Renato Angeli. In 1940, he began a relationship with the Milan Triennial design and art museum, where he eventually joined the board of directors.

Most of di Carli's furniture and architectural works came to fruition between the 1940s and 1970s. His architectural projects included the Church of Saint Ildefonso and the Via dei Giardini 7 building in Milan. However, di Carli is best known for his chair and table designs.

What sets di Carli’s chairs and other seating apart from those of other designers is that they are made to be lived in. As a result, his comfortable, functional and inviting designs earned the attention of leading Italian furniture companies like Cassina, Singer & Sons, Tecno and GUBI, and he played a significant role in 20th-century Italian furniture design.

In 1954, di Carli was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for his Cassina Model 683 chair. In 1957, he also won a Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial exhibition for a chair he designed for Tecno. Still committed to his academic pursuits, di Carli served as dean of the architecture faculty at the Polytechnic University of Milan from 1963 to 1968. He continued teaching until 1986 and continued writing until his death in 1999. His most important writings were published in a book titled Architettura, Spazio Primario.

Find vintage Carlo di Carli armchairs, dining chairs and coffee tables on 1stDibs.

1950’s Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2
By Carlo di Carli
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2 Available.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo di Carli

Materials

Mahogany

1950’s Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2
1950’s Vintage Carlo Di Carli Dining Arm Chair - 1 of 2
$1,880 Sale Price
20% Off
H 33 in W 19 in D 18 in
Poltrona Tria Lounge Chair in Rattan by Carlo de Carli for GUBI
By Gubi, Carlo di Carli
Located in Glendale, CA
Poltrona Tria Lounge Chair in Rattan by Carlo de Carli for GUBI Seamlessly merging the inherent beauty and charm of natural rattan with meticulous ergonomic precision, the Poltrona ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Carlo di Carli

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan

Red lacquered chest of drawers Carlo De Carli for Sormani, circa 1963
By Carlo di Carli
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Chest of drawers model D154 in red lacquered wood, designed by Carlo De Carli and produced by Sormani, Italy, circa 1963. It features three large drawers with circular brass black p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Carlo di Carli

Materials

Wood

Carlo de Carli Mid-Century Modern Italian Teak Coat Rack by Fiarm, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli, Fiarm
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This teak plywood hanger was designed by the famous Italian architect Carlo de Carli and produced by Fiarm in the 1960s. The hooks are in bakelite.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo di Carli

Materials

Bakelite, Teak

Carlo Di Carli pair of armchairs rosewood brass leather 1966
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful pair of Italian armchairs designed by Carlo De Carli in 1966, and produced by Sormani in the 1960s and 1970s. This pair reflects Carlo De Carli’s vision of furniture as an ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo di Carli

Materials

Brass

Carlo Di Carli pair of armchairs rosewood brass leather 1966
Carlo Di Carli pair of armchairs rosewood brass leather 1966
$39,828 / set
H 32.68 in W 36.23 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Carlo De Carli Dining Table Model 180, Sormani, Italy, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Carlo De Carli Dining Table Model 180, Sormani, Italy, 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo di Carli

Materials

Wood

Sormani Carlo De Carli Pair of Armchairs Black Leather Italian Design, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Sormani Carlo de Carli pair of armchairs back leather Italian design, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo di Carli

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Sormani Carlo De Carli Pair of Armchairs Black Leather Italian Design, 1960s
Sormani Carlo De Carli Pair of Armchairs Black Leather Italian Design, 1960s
$5,409 Sale Price / set
30% Off
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 37.41 in
CDC.1 Lounge Chair, American Walnut
By Carlo di Carli, Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
CDC.1 lounge chair was designed by Carlo de Carli in 1954 and features the elegantly Minimalist design style, typical of the era. The CDC.1 lounge chair meets the ground in a gracefu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carlo di Carli

Materials

Walnut

CDC.1 Lounge Chair, American Walnut
CDC.1 Lounge Chair, American Walnut
$5,174 / item
H 30 in W 32.25 in D 28.5 in
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Carlo di Carli Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$1,899Dining Room ChairsMahogany1955
2025$4,703Dining Room ChairsFabric, Wood, MahoganyCirca 1950s
2025$8,800ChairsLeather, Wood1958
$5,598
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$1,899-$10,193
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Carlo Di Carli furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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