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.
Italian Midcentury Mahogany Wood and Glass Console Table by Carlo de Carli 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
A splendid example of linear style typical of Italian design in the 1950s and 1960s. Mahogany console in excellent condition, suitable for any environment; essential and elegant in ...
Brass
$2,450
H 33.47 in W 42.52 in D 14.97 in
Italian Console Table 1950s In Ebonized Wood And Verde Alpi Marble
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Elegant Italian console table from the 1950s, crafted from solid wood with an ebonized finish and featuring a fine “Verde Alpi” marble top. The demilune profile of the top, combined ...
Wood
Giuseppe Scapinelli, Console Table, Wood, Glass, Brazil, 1950s
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and glass console table designed and produced by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.75"H x 59.0"W x 20....
Glass, Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. A 2”x3” inconsistency in color near top middle of top surface. Minor presence of old worm pinholes to inside of frame....
Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, stained glass and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.0"H x 47.25"W x 10.0"D All items ship from High Point, North...
Brass
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and glass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Minimal wear to glass. Mild to moderate imperfections to wood frame from normal use and natural cracking. ...
Glass, Wood
Carlo De Carli Sculptural Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and highly sculptural desk by Carlo De Carli, where structure and form resolve into a single, continuous gesture. The top extends into sharp, blade-like points, while the apr...
Walnut
$3,967
H 19.3 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mid Century Wood and Glass Spider Coffee Table by Carlo De Carli, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Italian Mid-Century Modern wood, glass top coffee low cocktail table or gueridon by Carlo de Carli. In the mood of Vittorio Dassi, Osvaldo Borsani, Gianfranco Frattini, Ico Parisi, G...
Glass, Wood
$3,383
H 35.44 in W 28.35 in D 11.42 in
Elegant Mid-Century Italian Console Table in Wood and Brass, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Argelato, BO
An elegant mid-century Italian console table in wood and brass. Crafted from polished dark mahogany veneer, it features a lustrous surface and warm grain. The frame is supported by f...
Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted mixed wood and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Signature on underside of drawers Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.0"H x 47.5"W x 10.5"D ...
Brass
$2,800
H 34.65 in W 55.12 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Italian Inlay Wood Brass Wall Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern and Neoclassical design console table highlighted by the great workmanship of the veneer inlay wooden part and the four eleg...
Marble, Brass
$10,400
H 29 in W 53.75 in D 17.5 in
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown pink-colored mirror glass, painted wood and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Some spots of heavy wear to mirror silvering. Overall wear consiste...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Wood and Brass Console Table, 1950s
Located in Argelato, BO
An elegant mid-century Italian rosewood wall console table with a black glass top and brass knobs. Designed for an elegant Florentine apartment, the console table stands out for its...
Brass
Console and Mirror by Carlo di Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Austin, TX
Console and mirror, Italian, made of Brazilian rosewood and ebonized rosewood. There is a mirror covered shelf and brass legs. This set is made by designer Carlo di Carli. A square f...
Brass
Carlo De Carli Console Table, Italy 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Naples, IT
Beautiful mid-century Italian wooden console table by Carlo di Carli. There is a central drawer and a glass shelf on each piece.
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 33.08 in D 11.03 in
1940's Italian Console In Maple Resting On One Maple Bird Leg by Carlo De Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful Italian console in maple. This extremely rare console is an absolute designers master piece from Italy and attributed to the famous Carlo De Carli. All resting on one bird leg...
Glass, Maple