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.
Carlo de Carli for Cinova Sofa in Tubular Steel and Light Brown Corduroy
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo de Carli, sofa, steel, fabric, Italy, 1960s Sofa designed by Italian designer Carlo De Carli and produced by Cinova in the 1960s. The piece features a bent tubular steel frame...
Steel
Set of 2 Armchairs and 1 Sofa from "806" Series, by Carlo de Carli, Cassina
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of armchairs and a sofa from the "806" series was designed by Carlo de Carli in the 1950s and manufactured by the Italian company Cassina. The set consists of a total of two...
Fabric, Wood
$4,890Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Carlo De Carli Sofa
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Munich, DE
Made by Cassina.
Fabric
Italian mid-century modern sofa mod. 801 by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern sofa mod. 801 by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, 1950s Couch model 801 in wood and fabric. The frame is wooden and the legs are turned. Metal feet. Upholstery ...
Fabric, Wood
$20,350 / item
Customizable Tacchini Sella Sofa by Carlo de Carli
By Tacchini, Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
price for fabric Sella is inspired by the armchair of the same name designed in 1966 by the famous Italian architect Carlo de Carli. The highly elegant sofa is made using the very f...
Leather, Fabric
Sella - Sofa in leather by Carlo de Carli for Tacchini
By Tacchini, Carlo di Carli
Located in Varedo, MB
Saddle Sofa Design by Carlo De Carli (1966) The Sella Sofa by Tacchini is inspired by the iconic Sella armchair designed in 1966 by the renowned Italia...
Leather, Wood
Model 802 White and Azure Carlo De Carli Sofa for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Milan, IT
Model 802 sofa by Carlo De Carli for Cassina.
Wood
Italian mid-century modern sofa mod. 801 by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern sofa mod. 801 by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, 1950s Couch model 801 in wood and fabric. The frame is wooden and the legs are turned. Metal feet. Upholstery ...
Fabric, Wood
Sofa by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare sofa designed by Carlo de Carli for Singer and Sons. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Plushy / Teal fabric. Matching chair available separately.
Brass
Carlo de Carli Boomerang Chair
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Sacile, PN
Beautiful boomerang chair by Carlo de Carli.
Brass, Iron
$6,511 / set
H 31.5 in W 30.71 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
Wood
$2,200Sale Price|30% Off
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 31.5 in
Mid-century Modern Italian Curved Small Sofa 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved sofa from the 1950s, Italian production. Original upholstery of the time, we recommend replacing the fabric.
Velvet, Beech
$12,775Sale Price|51% Off
H 10.23 in W 41.85 in D 15.51 in
Tacchini Le Mura Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini in STOCK
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
LE MURA RIGHT MODULE 90, LE MURA LEFT MODULE 90 & LE MURA CENTRAL MODULE 90 CAT. Z - ZAREEN 03 CLASP AND ZIPPERS MATT BLACK NICHEL T148 WITH INTERLINER CAL117 The project Le Mu...
Leather
$25,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Lounge Set for Cassina, Ivory, 1969, Set of 3
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Sofa and Two lounge chairs, Ivory Bouclé Wool and Chromed Steel, Italy, 1969, Set of three. Although technically designed...
Bouclé, Plastic
$12,000
H 25.6 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” sofa for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1969 Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarp...
Stainless Steel
$10,693 / item
H 26.38 in W 94.49 in D 37.1 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric and chrome frame A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cosy forms that evo...
Leather, Fabric
$4,476 / set
H 33.86 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
Lounge chair in pink velvet and chrome, Carlo de Carli for Cinova
By Carlo di Carli
Located in amstelveen, NL
Carlo De Carli for Cinova, lounge chair model '915' with ottoman, metal, chrome, fabric, Italy, 1969. Tubular armchair with ottoman designed by Carlo De Carli in 1969, manufactured ...
Metal, Chrome
$7,500 / set
H 33.75 in W 18 in D 18.5 in
Set of 6 Chairs Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Walnut
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 chairs Mod. 693, Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina. Solid walnut, chairs have been recently recovered in a charcoal grey cotton velvet. Ready for a new home.
Faux Leather, Walnut
Pair of Carlo de Carli "D90" Beds for Sormani
By Sormani, Carlo di Carli
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of very rare Model D90 beds by Carlo de Carli (1910-1999) for Sormani in 1962. Would be wonderful as daybeds for additional sofa seating. What makes these beds literally unique ...
Brass, Chrome, Nickel
$9,006 / set
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Carlo de Carli Model 806 Chairs, Produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Carlo de Carli Model 806 armchairs, produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950s. Oak legs with dark grey (with a hint of brown) 100% mohair fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Fabric, Oak
$9,472 / item
H 26.38 in W 94.49 in D 38.18 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cosy forms that evoke feelings of warmth and sensuality, thanks to the...
Leather, Fabric
Lounge Sofa by Carlo de Carli, Italy, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A sculptural and inviting lounge sofa by Italian architect and designer Carlo de Carli. Known for his ability to blend architectural precision with organic softness, de Carli created...
Chrome
Finn Juhl Attributed Grey Wool Felt Two Seat Sofa, Italy, 1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Madrid, ES
Two-seat sofa attributed after Finn Juhl made in Italy in the '50s. Made of solid wood structure and reupholstered in grey wool felt. Classic conic teak wooden legs.
Wool, Wood
Sold
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 30.32 in
Carlo de Carli "808" for Cassina Wool Bouclé Pair of Two Seat Sofas. Italy, 1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of two seat sofas model "808" designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina in the 50's. Made of solid wood structure and reupholstered in wool bouclé. Conic wooden legs in black lac...
Wool, Wood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 57.49 in D 31.11 in
Carlo De Carli ‘802’ Model Two-Seat Sofa by Cassina, Italy, circa 1960
By Carlo di Carli
Located in London, GB
An exquisite ‘802’ model two-seat sofa designed by Carlo De Carli for the ‘Hotel Parco Dei Principi’ in Sorrento, Italy. The Parco Dei Principi was designed and conceived in 1960 by ...
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
802 Sofa by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
802 sofa by Carlo De Carli for Cassina, 1950s.
Wood
Carlo de Carli Sofa
By Carlo di Carli
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare three-seat sofa by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Milan. Designed for the Italian Consulate in 1958. Single bench seat and back with flaired tailored arms and solid brass stilett...
Sofa Designed by Carlo di Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare sofa on brass legs designed by Carlo di Carli and manufactured by Cassina for Singer & Sons.
Rare Carlo De Carli Sculptural Settee In Charcoal Grey Wool
By M. Singer & Sons, Carlo di Carli
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Italian styling and new thick charcoal gray wool felt upholstery over a bent wood frame with solid brass tapered and footed legs. This is a rare offering from Carlo De Carli ...