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.
Rare Space Age Picnic Set ‘Pic Boll’ by Carlo Viglino for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Beautiful space age picnic set ‘Pic Boll’ designed by Carlo Viglino in 1968 and produced by Guzzini, Italy in the 60s and 70s. This lovely 6 person picnic features a plastic sphere ...
Plastic
Guzzini Salt, Pepper, Oil, Vinegard, Parmesan Green Set in Lucite, 1970s, Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Table set for pepper, salt, parmesan etc. in green Lucite made by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s.
Lucite, Plexiglass
Vintage 1980s Guzzini Cutlery Holder by Furio Minuti Made in Italy
By Guzzini, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly cool and post-modern cutlery holder by Guzzini. This piece evokes design elements that are current and present. Created in plastic, this piece includes 4 compartments wi...
Plastic
Space age red Ice Bucket, Guzzini Italy, ca. 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Firenze, IT
Space age red plastic Ice Bucket Guzzini Italy, 1970s Manufacture's logo H 18.5 × 17.5 cm diam. Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Plastic
$200 / set
H 7.09 in Dm 3.15 in
Lilì and Lulù Oil and Vinegar Set in Mouth Blown Glass by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Lilì and Lulù make up a set of oil and vinegar dispensers, this couple of characters is made in mouth blown glass with a grooved finishing. Lilì and ...
Blown Glass
$1,100 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Set for 8 EKCO Eterna "Canoe Muffin" Mid-Century Danish Modern Flatware - 1960s
By EKCO
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic Danish influenced Mid-Century sleek modernist designed stainless flatware / silverware set & serving pieces designed and sold by EKCO Products International and produced in Japan, circa 1960s. This set is from the EKCO Eterna...
Stainless Steel
$335 / set
H 4.14 in Dm 2.37 in
1970s Yellow Danish Salt and Pepper Set in Glass by Michael Bang for Holmegaard
By Michael Bang, Holmegaard
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of yellow Danish salt and pepper set in in glass, designed by Michael Bang and produced by Holmegaard in the 1970s. The well designed hand blown mushroom shaped set in hand bl...
Opaline Glass
$528
H 9.06 in W 24.02 in D 13.78 in
Luigi Massoni Minimalist Plastic White Bed Tray Element by Guzzini, Italy, 1980s
By Luigi Massoni, Guzzini
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Plastic tray Design: Luigi Massoni Producer: Guzzini, Italy Decade: 1980s Description: This tray table was designed by Luigi Massoni and produced by Guzzini in Italy in the 1980s. It is made from white-colored plastic and is in very good vintage condition, and would be ideal to serve breakfast in bed. It still features the original Guzzini box...
Plastic
Handmade Rounded Salt and Pepper Set in White Carrara Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Rounded shape salt and pepper set in white Carrara marble. Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcrafted in Italy. Slight ...
Marble
$1,941 / set
H 9.85 in W 1.58 in D 0.79 in
Cutlery Set by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070, 32 Pieces, 1960s
By Amboss Austria, Helmut Alder
Located in Vienna, AT
This cutlery (model 2070) consist of 32 pieces. Designed by Helmut Alder, produced by "Amboss Neuzeughammer Steyr" Austria in the 1960s. High quality stainless steel cutlery. He...
Stainless Steel
Set of Eight, Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver Open Salts & Pepper Shakers
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of eight, Tiffany & Co., sterling silver open salts & pepper shakers, 1907-1938, comprising four shakers and four salts, with shaped foot and fluted body, monogramed G each ma...
Silver
Rörstrand KOKA Porcelain Set by Hertha Bengtsson, 77 Pieces, 1960s
By Bengtsson, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Herta Bengtson, Hertha Bengtson
Located in Round Top, TX
Rare, mint condition, twelve place settings of KOKA porcelain designed by Hertha Bengtsson. Hertha Bengtson designed "Koka Blå” (Cook Blue) in 1953 during the golden age of Swedish...
Porcelain
$190
H 2 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Mid-Century Max & Moritz Salt Pepper Twins Shakers, WMF, 1950s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of lovely modernist Bauhaus "Max & Moritz salt and pepper twins“ shakers, original vintage from the 1950s. Designed by Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld, executed by WMF Württembergische...
Stainless Steel
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
$1,406 / set
H 0.79 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
70 Piece Cutlery Set Made of 24 Carat Gilded Stainless Steel in Cassette by SBS
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This wonderfully eclectic cutlery set in a luxurious case serves 12 persons. The design is a gem on every dining table. The sleek straight lines of the stainless steel form a great contrast with the gilded decorations on the blades. SBS cutlery with the addition “Made in Solingen” is worldwide synonymous with cutlery and knives of the highest level. Since the 16th century, the most talented knife and cutlery manufacturers have been based in Solingen with craftsmanship from experienced masters. One of these companies is SBS which is best known for its gilded cutlery...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 10.63 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Rare Space Age Picnic Set ‘Pic Boll’ by Carlo Viglino for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Beautiful space age picnic set ‘Pic Boll’ designed by Carlo Viglino in 1968 and produced by Guzzini, Italy in the 60s and 70s. This lovely 6 person picnic features a plastic sphere ...
Plastic
Sold
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 3 in
Post-Modern Guzzini Bon Ton Napkin Stand, Furio Minuti, Memphis Style, 1980s
By Harvey Guzzini, Guzzini
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful postmodern Memphis-style napkin stand from the 1980s. Designed by Furio Minuti, executed by Guzzini, Italy. Made of light blue plastic and cle...
Plastic, Plexiglass
Guzzini Mid Century Modern Picnic Ball Dining Set Service for Six
By Guzzini, Kartell
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Just in time for summer! Ingenious picnic set designed by Helen Panton Kartell and made in Italy by Guzzini Per Alimenti. This set is cleverly designed so that you can have portable ...
Plastic
Fratelli Guzzini Pepper Mill
By Guzzini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clear Lucite with black core; works well.
Metal