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
$4,917Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Carlo De Carli Sofa
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Munich, DE
Made by Cassina.
Fabric
Set of 2 Armchairs and 1 Sofa from "806" Series, by Carlo de Carli, Cassina
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
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
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
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
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
$20,350 / item
Customizable Tacchini Sella Sofa by Carlo de Carli
By Carlo di Carli, Tacchini
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
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
$13,000
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. The most notable feature of this couch, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
Carlo de Carli Boomerang Chair
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Sacile, PN
Beautiful boomerang chair by Carlo de Carli.
Brass, Iron
$21,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Black, 1969, Set of 3
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Sofa and two Lounge Chairs, Black Leather, Italy, 1969, Set of three. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "So...
Plastic, Leather
$6,554 / 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
Poltrona Tria Lounge Chair in Rattan by Carlo de Carli for GUBI
By Gubi, Carlo di Carli
Located in Los Angeles, 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 ...
Upholstery, Rattan
$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 Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
$1,580Sale Price|50% 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
1930s Bauhaus Tubular Steel Sofa with Chestnut Brown Leather
Located in Berlin, DE
This tubular steel sofa from the 1930s reflects the clear design principles of Classical Modernism. With its restrained construction, generous proportions and timeless appearance, it...
Steel
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
$9,009 / 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
$3,395
H 38.19 in W 98.43 in D 34.26 in
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Minotti, Gigi Radice
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet covering and legs in brass and black lacquered metal. It is recommended to replace the lining...
Brass
$16,211
H 32.29 in W 124.02 in D 40.16 in
Moncloud Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina, Modern Italian Design
By Cassina, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Moncloud Sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) THE FUTURE IN A SOFA A generous, welcoming refuge that celebrates comfort and hospitality. Designed by ...
Upholstery
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 Carlo di Carli, Cassina
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 ...