Multidisciplinary artist, sculptor and designer Ennio Chiggio was not only known for his Space Age lamps and voluptuous, modular Environ sofas, but he was also renowned as a technological innovator, electronic music producer and researcher, who explored the relationship between mathematics and art.
Born in 1938 in Naples, Chiggio studied technology and art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. While still in school, in 1957, Chiggio began painting kinetic art using tempera on cardboard and ink on paper. By 1960, he had joined the artists’ collective Gruppo N, founded by Alberto Biasi, Edoardo Landi, Manfredo Massironi and Toni Costa.
With Gruppo N, Chiggio participated in several exhibitions such as “Programmed Art,” presented by Italian intellectual Umberto Eco, which showed in Milan, Venice and Rome in 1962 and in London and New York in 1964. By the following year, Chiggio’s interests had turned to sound and music production, and he founded the Group of Experimental Phonology NPS (New Proposals Sound) with pianist and composer Teresa Rampazzi.
From 1964 to ’77, Chiggio operated a design studio that focused on furniture and lighting as well as glass and electromechanical objects. His most well-known lighting includes the Ciot floor lamp for Italian manufacturer Lumenform, sculptural table lamps and wall sconces for Emmezeta.
After closing his design studio in 1978, Chiggio dedicated his time to teaching, serving as a professor of design and industrial aesthetics at his alma mater. In 1996, he opened the Embtool multimedia research laboratory in Padua, where he made short films about art and architecture and conducted computational music research, exploring the relationship between mathematical models and artistic expression.
Throughout the 2000s until his death in 2020, Chiggio participated in several exhibitions at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, the MACBA Museo de Arte Contemporáneo in Buenos Aires and Museum Ritter in Waldenbuch, Germany. Public collections throughout Italy and Germany also feature his works.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of innovative Ennio Chiggio furniture.
Ennio Chiggio Environ Zero modular sofa for Nikol Internazionale - Italy 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in London, GB
This cocooning modular sofa was designed by Ennio Chiggio (1938–2020) for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. Its three segments combine for a wonderfully plump profile, enhanced by v...
Mohair
$28,591Sale Price|20% Off
Environ 1 modular sofa designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internation 1970
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Environ 1 modular sofa designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970. Polyurethane foam frame, cotton fabric, faux leather backing, metal inserts, composed of 4 joined elem...
Cotton
Environ Zero sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, Italy, 1970's
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Environ Zero sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, Italy, 1970's. Newly Restored and upholstered in Italy.
Fabric
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” Modular Sofa for Nikol International, 1969
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” modular sofa for Nikol International, 1969 The Ennio Chiggio "Environ" sofa for Nikol International, designed in the 1960s, is a ...
Fabric, Foam, Chenille
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ One' Sofa for Nikol International, Italy, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Environ One Sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970, is a rare vintage piece of furniture that exemplifies the best of Mid-Century Modern desi...
Wool
$27,400 / set
Living room Sofa and two armchairs from the 1970s, designed by Ennio Chiggio Habitat IDS
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and sculptural seating set designed by Ennio Chiggio for haBITAT iDS, comprising a sofa and matching armchairs. The structure is crafted in molded polyurethane with lower ba...
Leather
Rare "California Chair" by Ennio Ludovico Chiggio (Gruppo N) for Nikol Internati
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in leucate, FR
Immerse yourself in the bold spirit of 1970s Italian design with this exceptional and extremely rare "California Chair," conceived in 1973 by the influential designer Ennio Ludovico ...
Metal
$4,522 / set
H 28.75 in W 196.86 in D 37.41 in
Nuvolone modular leather sofa 5 modules 70s Rino Maturi for Mimo Design
By Mimo Padova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Modular cognaq leather sofa Nuvolone model designed in the 1970s by Rino Maturi for Mimo Design. the sofa is composed of by 5 seats including 1 ottoman and a corner module. the Sofa...
Leather, Wood
$23,826 / set
H 27.96 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This three elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proporti...
Brass
$27,500 / set
H 27.5 in W 37.5 in D 37.5 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in New York, NY
'Camaleonda' First Edition modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. ...
Fabric, Wood
$19,900 / set
H 28.75 in W 35.44 in D 37.41 in
Rimo Maturi for Mimo Padova Modular Sofa Nuvolone in Leather, Italy, 1970s
By Mimo Padova
Located in Almelo, NL
Large modular sofa Rimo Maturi for Mimo Padova model ´Nuvolone´ in leather, Italy, 1970s Large modular sofa / landscape sofa by Italian designer Rimo Matu...
Leather
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
$10,721 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$11,928 / set
H 27.56 in W 35.44 in D 82.68 in
Rolf Benz Vintage Oxred Leather Living room Sofa Ensemble, Germany, 1970
By Rolf Benz
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning leather Living suite room sofa ensemble was produced by Rolf Benz an manufactured in Germany. It is a pure 70ties design with timele...
Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood, Beech
$4,169 / set
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Complete Living Room Sofa and Armchairs Design Sergio Asti for Poltronova, 1962
By Sergio Asti, Poltronova
Located in taranto, IT
Designed by Sergio Asti and produced by Poltronova in 1962, the "Zelda" living room set—comprising a three-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs—is one of the finest expressions of Ita...
Leather, Wood
3 Piece Modular Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988
By Vladimir Kagan, Preview
Located in Chicago, IL
3 Piece Modular sectional sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988. Original white fabric is in good condition. There is a spot on one cushi...
Fabric
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal 'Vario Pillo' Modular Sofa
By Albert Rosenthal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal, model 'Vario Pillo', modular sofa, Germany, 1970s This exuberant buildable sofa is designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. A very rare type of modular sofa w...
Fabric, Plastic
$4,586 / set
H 30.32 in W 37.41 in D 35.44 in
Nuvolone Modular Sofa by Rino Maturi for Mimo Padova 1970s
By Mimo Padova
Located in VENLO, NL
The Nuvolone modular lounge sofa, designed by Rino Maturi for Mimo Padova in the 1970s, is an iconic example of Italian design where modernism meets space-age influences. The name ‘N...
Fabric, Foam
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam, Wool
Ennio Chiggio White Faux Leather 'Environ One' Sofa
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale, white faux leather sofa, Italy, 1970s This important canapé Environ One is designed by Ennio Chiggo...
Faux Leather
Sold
H 24.02 in W 118.12 in D 116.15 in
Ennio Chiggio Envorin one sofa by Nikol International Italy 1970
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The Environ One Sofa, designed by renowned Italian designer Ennio Chiggio and manufactured by Nikol International in 1970, stands as a rare and remarkable example of Mid-Century Mode...
Velvet
Sold
H 24.02 in W 98.43 in D 125.99 in
Ennio Chiggio Environ One Sofa For Nikol International, Italy 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Ennio chiggio Environ One sofa for Nikol International, Italy 1970s in original fabric. This rare sofa exemplifies the seventies Italian design. Created by the renowned Italian desi...
Velvet, Plastic
Sold
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 37.8 in
Ennio Chiggio Chaise Sofa in Mohair for Nikol International, Italy, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in London, GB
This two-part modular sofa was designed by Ennio Chiggio (1938-2020) for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. The sofa creates a shell-like environment that cocoons the sitter. In g...
Wool
Sold
H 24.02 in W 190.95 in D 145.67 in
Environ One sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in amstelveen, NL
Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale, Italy, 1970s This important canapé Environ One is designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. This rare modular sofa is ...
Fabric
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ Sofa' Gruppo N for Nikol, Italy, 1969
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ sofa' Gruppo N for Nikol, Italy, 1969. Complete surrounding for conversation and rest.
Upholstery, Foam