Furniture designer Guglielmo Ulrich was born in Milan to a family with Danish origins. After completing his studies at the Brera Academy, the Scuola Speciale di Architettura and the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1927, Ulrich’s status quickly rose in high-society circles, as he’d gained a reputation for creating elegant interiors for a range of commercial and private clients. Architecture and furniture design in Milan was evolving during the era owing to industrialization, and Ulrich’s modernist work was seen as fresh and forward-looking.
In 1930, Ulrich established the furniture company ARCA — which was short for Arredamento Casa — with colleagues Attilio Scaglia and Renato Wild. Together they created a platform for Ulrich’s designs, which were quite different from the typical furnishings found in Europe at the time.
Ulrich favored simple lines — tapered table and chair legs, lean silhouettes — and the graceful contours of his console tables and dining chairs are representative of an endeavor to streamline neoclassical forms. He created luxurious but practical furniture and home accessories that featured an emphasis on craftsmanship as well as an integration of exotic materials such as ebonized wood, opaline glass and green marble. Ulrich’s designs were very much in line with what we now know as the Art Deco style, which was officially introduced to the world in 1925 at Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. He collaborated with legendary architect and designer Gio Ponti on designs for a hotel property in the late 1930s and co-edited Ponti’s revered Domus magazine with Milanese architect Melchiorre Bega.
By the 1950s, Ulrich was firmly established as one of the most influential Milanese designers, having a hand in designing homes, commercial properties and more. In 1961, he won the Fiera di Trieste award for his lightweight Trieste chair, a seat that shared common ground with Ponti’s iconic Superleggera chair and was produced by Saffa.
Find vintage Guglielmo Ulrich seating, tables,and cabinets on 1stDibs.
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Velvet Sofa, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A large Italian sculptural sofa designed by Guglielmo Ulrich, very comfortable. Recently upholstered in light blue velvet with a light gray velvet border, in a minimalist way, which ...
Velvet, Beech
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Sofa in Original Velvet Fabric, Italy 1930s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Almelo, NL
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco sofa in original Velvet fabric, Italy 1930s A particular three-seater sofa was designed by the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich. Production of the 1930s ...
Fabric, Beech
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 29 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
Wool, Beech
$3,773
H 28.94 in W 69.69 in D 38.39 in
ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER ART DECO THREE SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Art Deco style reddish brown leather sofa with overstuffed feather ...
Leather
1930s Restored Art Deco Sofa, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carrefully refurbished - Newly upholstered- walnut finish - can be used with or without pillows - Seat height with pillows is 48cm
Fabric, Wood
$2,675Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote can be...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
Gugliemo Ulrich Attributed Art Deco Sofa
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An art deco sofa attributed to Gugliemo Ulrich. Rounded back and aviator style silhouette with wood plinth feet. Upholstery as found. Sourced in Northern Italy.
Upholstery
Danish Art Deco Velvet Serpentine Sofa, 1930s.
By Fritz Hansen, Skive Møbelfabrik, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Art Deco Velvet Serpentine Sofa, 1930s. Gorgeous Scandinavian three-seater sofa in green mohair velour upholstery with serpentine front. Made...
Velvet, Beech
$8,000
H 28 in W 79 in D 33 in
Flemming Lassen Style, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Curved Sofa, Boucle, 1940s
By Flemming Lassen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Flemming Lassen Style, Danish Cabinetmaker, Mid-Century Modern, Curved Sofa, Beige Boucle, 1940s Beautifly organic shaped Danish sofa similar to works by Flemming Lassen. This sofa ...
Bouclé
$10,676
H 53.15 in W 80.71 in D 61.03 in
Italian Art Deco round boudoir sofa in original golden satin fabric with tassels
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinary and theatrical Italian round boudoir sofa from the Art Deco period, a true manifesto of an era in which luxury, elegance, and decorative refinement reached their highes...
Satin, Silk, Wood
Finnish Designer, Sofa, Birch, Fabric, Metal, Finland, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch, off-white fabric and metal sofa designed in Finland, 1930s. Seat Height (inches): 16” Arm Height (inches): 23.56" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Metal
Italian 1950's Scalloped Shaped Channeled Velvet Settee or Sofa
Located in New York, NY
A decadently designed Italian 1950's settee with a scalloped or petal shaped form and luxuriously upholstered channeled back tufting. The settee has been fully restored and newly reu...
Brass
Gio Ponti, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood sofa designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Casa e Giardino, Italy, c. 1940s. Minor scuffing of feet. Minor staining on seat and backrest cushions. Minor fr...
Velvet, Wood
Guglielmo Ulrich, Art Deco 3-Seater Sofa in Fabric and Walnut, 1930s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A matching three-seater sofa to the above pair, crafted in walnut and upholstered in coordinating striped coral-orange fabric. The scrolled arms and streamlined silhouette exemplify ...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.44 in W 90.56 in D 41.34 in
Reupholstered Art Deco sofa in 'Moonlight' lambskin by Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Reupholstered Art Deco sofa in 'Moonlight' lambskin and stained oak legs. Designed and made in the 1940s. Guglielmo Ulrich
Oak
Gugliemo Ulrich Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa, 1950s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular three-seater sofa attributed to the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich, produced in the 1950s. Feet in lacquered iron with brass tips. The upholstery is original from the...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 90.56 in D 38.59 in
Guglielmo Ulrich, Unique Daybed in Cherry Wood with Seat and Cushion, Italy
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Milano, IT
Guglielmo Ulrich (1904-1977) Unique daybed in cherry wood with seat and cushions covered in velvet. High cabinet-making manufacture produced as a one-of...
Rattan
Sold
H 25.99 in W 100.4 in D 35.44 in
Guglielmo Ulrich Sofa in Walnut, Fabric Upholstery, and Brass, Italy 1930s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Almelo, NL
Guglielmo Ulrich sofa in Walnut, Fabric Upholstery, and Brass, Italy 1930s The renowned architect Guglielmo Ulrich designed a sofa in Italian classicism, a Production of the 1930s....
Brass
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Sofa in Original Fabric, Italy 1930s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Almelo, NL
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco sofa in original fabric, Italy 1930s A particular three-seater sofa was designed by the famous architect Guglie...
Fabric, Beech
Velvet Living Room Set by Guglielmo Ulrich, 1950s, Set of 5
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Living room from the 50's in ivory velvet, attributable to Guglielmo Ulrich. Dimension: Sofa: H 85 x 215 x 95, seat height - 43; Armchair: H 85 x 1oox95, seat height - 43; Armch...
Velvet
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H 30.71 in W 76.78 in D 37.41 in
Italian Mid-Century Sofà Grey Jab Velvet Guglielmo Ulrich Attributed 1950s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian style and design very particular and of great quality, Guglielmo Ulrich probable manufacture.
Velvet, Walnut
Large Sculptural Sofa by Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Kent, Dover
A large Italian sculptural sofa by Ulrich which is very comfortable. Newly upholstered in grey fabric and in a Minimalist fashion without piping or buttons, which accentuates the cur...
Beech
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Sofa, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular three-seater sofa, designed by the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich. Production of the 1940s in Art Deco style. The upholstery is original from the time but it is recomm...
Fabric, Beech
Gugliemo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Sofa and Two Armchairs, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular pair of armchairs and three-seater sofa, designed by the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich. Production of the 1940s in Art Deco style. The upholstery is original from the...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Gugliemo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Armchairs, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular pair of armchairs designed by the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich, production of the 40s in Art Déco style. The upholstery is original from the time but it is recommende...
Velvet, Beech
Sold
H 28.75 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
Pair of Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Small Armchairs, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular pair of small armchairs attributed to the famous architect Guglielmo Ulrich, the upholstery is original from the time but replacement is recommended. Production from the 1...
Velvet, Beech