Guzzini is often mistakenly thought to be the name of a lighting designer active in the 1960s and 1970s. But in fact the label belongs to a lighting manufacturing company that was founded by six Guzzini brothers — Raimondo, Giovanni, Virgilio, Giuseppe, Adolfo and Giannunzio, who were inspired by the 1950 film Harvey starring James Stewart.
Compounding the historical record even further, it seems that the Guzzini company rebranded many times in the 20th century, going by, at various points, Harvey Creazioni, Harvey Guzzini, Guzzini, iGuzzini and Illuminazione Guzzini. Harvey Creazioni was originally founded in 1959 in Recanati (on the east-central coast of Italy) by Raimondo, focusing on the production of copper-plated decorative objects. Four years later, in June 1963, the six brothers joined together and established Harvey Creazioni di Guzzini, expanding production to include pendant lighting, sconces, table lamps and floor lamps.
The brothers employed architect-designer Luigi Massoni — who was introduced to the Guzzini brothers by leading plastic importer Maurizio Adreani — as head of design, branding, public relations and advertising. Famous Harvey Guzzini designs include Massoni and Luciano Buttura's Mushroom table lamp (1965) as well as the in-house designed Arc floor lamp (1968), Faro table lamp (1970) and Toledo table lamp (1973). Studio 6G, an interning design team, developed the collectible Clan table lamp (1968); and designers Ermanno Lampa and Sergio Brazzoli were responsible for the Nastro series (1970), Orione pendant (1970), Sirio table lamp (1970), Alba floor lamp (1973), Albanella table lamp (1973) and Alf series (1976). Around 1976, Harvey Guzzini ceased the production of copper-plated items to concentrate on lighting made almost exclusively from methacrylate plastic (acrylic). The company also dabbled in furniture production, collaborating with Yugoslavian furniture producer Meblo, located in Nova Gorica in present-day Slovenia.
In 1967–68, the company exhibited at Domus: Formes Italiennes in the Galeries Lafayette in Paris under the name Design House (DH), where the company featured Gio Ponti’s Media lamp. A retail outlet was opened in central Milan under the name Harvey Guzzini-DH in 1969, situated literally and figuratively among the best known Italian design houses. In 1974, the company rebranded once more as iGuzzini, adding Illuminazione in 1981, which still exists today with headquarters in Recanati, Italy.
Find a collection of vintage Guzzini furniture today on 1stDibs.
1970s Mid-Century Modern Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite Luxury Box Dior Home Style
By Guzzini, Dior Home
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Capturing the opulent essence of 1970s high-society design, this exquisite decorative box is a masterclass in Mid-Century Modern luxury. Crafted from heavy, high-quality lucite with ...
Brass
Lucite and Chrome Decorative Box, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Rare decorative lucite and chrome cube-shaped box. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Chrome
Christian Dior per Dior Home Scatola Decorativa Zucca in Silverplate, 1970s
By Dior Home, Christian Dior
Located in Naples, IT
Elegante scatola decorativa a forma di zucca disegnata da Christian Dior per la sua collezione Home degli anni '70. Questa bella scatola decorativa con coperchio è realizzata in meta...
Silver Plate
$994
H 6.3 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Dior Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Decorative Octagonal Box, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century jewelry or decorative octagonal box in a beautiful tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This stylish object was made in Italy during the 1970s and is attribute...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
$805
H 2.56 in W 6.89 in D 3.94 in
Dior Mid-Century Jewelry Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Chrome, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful mid-century decorative jewelry box in tortoiseshell effect lucite and chrome. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1970s for a Dior Home Production. This...
Metal, Chrome
$991
H 12.21 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
Picture Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Dior Home
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular picture photo frame in tortoiseshell lucite effect and brass in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object...
Brass, Metal
$490
H 1.38 in W 6.89 in D 6.89 in
Mid-Century Squared Lucite and Chrome Pocket Emptier in Dior Style, France 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury Lucite and chrome squared valet tray or ashtray. This wonderful item was produced in France in the style of Christian Dior in 1970. The pocket emptier is lovely because of the beautiful straight lines and the chromed metal central part, making it look like a cube of ice with a floating rounded chromed plate in the middle. A wonderful example of design from the 1970s, both for the fusion of materials and colours. The chromed plate can be moved, changing the shape of the item. A gorgeous item that will enhance a midcentury-style living room, studio or entrance hall. Christian Dior was founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior. It currently designs and retails leather goods, fashion accessories, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, fragrance, makeup, and skincare products, while also maintaining its tradition as a creator of haute-couture under the Christian Dior Couture division. The Christian Dior label remains largely for women's offerings, although the company also operates the Dior Homme division for men and the baby Dior...
Chrome
Burl Wood & Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Box, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and burl wood frame made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Aluminum
$548
H 2.96 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Cube Box in Lucite Alessandro Albrizzi Style, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in Rome, IT
Cubic box in purple and transparent Lucite in the style of Alessandro Albrizzi, Italy, circa 1970.
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Box, Faux Marble, USA, 1970
By Various Makers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning modernist Lucite box was crafted in the 1970s. Its rectangular shape boasts a crystal-clear Lucite or Acrylic and faux marble textured pattern. The luminous, milky hone...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Tessellated Faux tortoiseshell & Brass Jewelry box, Italy, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb jewelry box designed and produced in Italy during the 1970's. This artisanal set with tessellated faux tortoiseshell and brass, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to dis...
Brass
$758
H 2.17 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass Jewelry Box 1970
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century square shaped decorative jewelry box in an elegant tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This fantastic piece was designed in France during the 1970s for Christ...
Brass
Mid-century modern lucite and brass jewelry box, Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Modernist lucite and brass box Italy 1970s brass, faux tortoiseshell lucite H 10 × 12 × 20 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use
Brass