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.
Midcentury Guzzini Orange Plexiglass Lucite Italian Centerpiece, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Unique Guzzini Italian production in Lucite and plexiglass with original orange shade. This midcentury centerpiece has an incredible napkin ...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Postmodern Italian Rare Salad Bowl and Server Set
By Guzzini, Fratelli Guzzini
Located in San Diego, CA
A set of postmodern Guzzini salad bowl and servers. Large clear plastic bowl with a transparent green rim. Marked. Italy, 1980s
Plastic
Arthur Court Lucite Handkerchief Serving Bowl on Rabbit Footed Stand, Signed
By Arthur Court
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large Handkerchief serving bowl designed by Arthur Court. Lucite / Acrylic bowl on a tripod aluminum base of three rabbits holding the bowl in place. W...
Aluminum
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Height 6 cm...
Aluminum
Large English Silver Punch Bowl Centerpiece with Relief of Grapes
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful large English punch bowl or champagne cooler centerpiece of fine plate silver featuring a Neoclassical design with grapevine motif around the circumference. Dimensions: ...
Silver Plate, Metal
Soup or Salad Bowl with Undressed Woman
By Pols Potten
Located in Greenwich, CT
The undressed bowl set was designed and handcrafted in the Netherlands by Esther Hörchner. Each cup features a line illustration of a nude woman in different positions as if bathing ...
Porcelain
Fine French Art Deco Centerpiece by Luc Lanel for Christofle
By Christofle, Luc Lanel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Luc Lanel (1893–1965) for Christofle — A fine French Art Deco round hammered silver-plated centerpiece / fruit bowl. Hallmarked Christofle.
Silver Plate
Teak Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage staved teak large salad bowl design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens ...
Teak
$1,200 / set
H 8.25 in W 11.5 in D 10.5 in
Ernst Henriksen Teak Salad Bowl Set, with pair of salad servers
By Ernst Henriksen
Located in Astoria, NY
Ernst Henriksen Teak Salad Bowl Set, with pair of salad servers, the bowl marked "Ernst / Made in Denmark / Henriksen" to underside. Bowl: 8.25" H x 11.5" W x 10.5" D. Proven...
Teak
$500Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.63 in W 12 in D 10.13 in
Herend Porcelain Queen Victoria Pattern Salad Bowl
By Herend
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Herend Porcelain Queen Victoria Pattern Salad Bowl. It depicts a square bowl decorated with colorful small bouquets of flowers and but...
Porcelain
$727Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in Dm 27.56 in
Italian Midcentury Large Ornamental Plate Centerpiece from the 1970s
Located in bari, IT
Italian midcentury large ornamental plate centerpiece from the 1970s. A typical pictorial graphics of the 1970s.
Ceramic
Handmade Rock Ceramic Salad Bowl - Black & White Splatterware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Fantastic handmade salad serving bowl. The perfect piece for making a bold statement, this large ceramic salad bowl is great for functional use or as beautiful decoration in your home. Use it for serving your favorite salads, keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as decorative centerpiece bowl. Each serving bowl is glazed by hand in a matte glaze with hand painted black splatters that resemble Pollock’s artistic work. Because of their handcrafted nature, all salad bowls are one-of-a-kind and hand washing is recommended. Try combining it with our dipping and cereal bowls from the Rock Collection to create your own unique handcrafted splatterware set...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
$1,023
H 1.58 in Dm 19.69 in
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Brass
Art Nouveau Silver Centerpiece
Located in London, GB
This stylish and beautiful centrepiece was made in Germany, circa 1900. It is a wonderful example of Art Nouveau, and the organic form ensures that, like an interesting sculpture, it...
Silver
Victorian Wedgwood Lobster Salad Bowl 1878
By Wedgwood
Located in Paris, FR
Original Victorian Wedgwood Lobster Salad Bowl. Cream background earthenware the bowl is decorated all around with printed and hand-painted seaweeds inside and outside the bowl. The ...
Silver Plate
1970s Italian Centerpiece by Franco Lagini
By Franco Lagini
Located in Palermo, PA
This eye-catching centerpiece is made of brass with handles in ivory imitation. Its signed underneath by Franco Laginis characteristic signature and Made...
Brass
$2,275Sale Price|35% Off
H 3 in Dm 17.75 in
Mid Century Modern Signed Schneider Large Bubble Glass Centerpiece Bowl 1950s
By Charles Schneider
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful clear Schneider Art Glass with captured bubbles large and heavy centerpiece bowl. Thousands of bubbles suspended in clear crystal! Etched SCHNEIDER FRANCE on the bottom; ci...
Blown Glass
Sold
H 3.55 in Dm 15.75 in
1970s, Mid-Century Modern Fake Tortoise Lucite and Brass Italian Round Bowl
By Guzzini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Mid-Century Modern fake tortoise lucite and brass round bowl designed and manufactured in Italy in the style of Gabriella Crespi. Brass in original patina gives it a vibrant vintag...
Brass