He died tragically young, and his career as a designer lasted little more than 10 years. But through the 1960s, Joe Colombo proved himself one of the field’s most provocative and original thinkers, and he produced a remarkably large array of innovative chairs, table lamps and other lighting and furniture as well as product designs. Even today, the creations of Joe Colombo have the power to surprise.
Cesare “Joe” Colombo was born in Milan, the son of an electrical-components manufacturer. He was a creative child — he loved to build huge structures from Meccano pieces — and in college he studied painting and sculpture before switching to architecture.
In the early 1950s, Colombo made and exhibited paintings and sculptures as part of an art movement that responded to the new Nuclear Age, and futuristic thinking would inform his entire career. He took up design not long after his father fell ill in 1958, and he and his brother, Gianni, were called upon to run the family company.
Colombo expanded the business to include the making of plastics — a primary material in almost all his later designs. One of his first, made in collaboration with his brother, was the Acrilica table lamp (1962), composed of a wave-shaped piece of clear acrylic resin that diffused light cast by a bulb concealed in the lamp’s metal base. A year later, Colombo produced his best-known furniture design, the Elda armchair (1963): a modernist wingback chair with a womb-like plastic frame upholstered in thick leather pads.
Portability and adaptability were keynotes of many Colombo designs, made for a more mobile society in which people would take their living environments with them. One of his most striking pieces is the Tube chair (1969). It comprises four foam-padded plastic cylinders that fit inside one another. The components, which are held together by metal clips, can be configured in a variety of seating shapes (his Additional Living System seating is similarly versatile).
Vintage Tube chairs generally sell for about $9,000 in good condition; Elda chairs for about $7,000. A small Colombo design such as the plastic Boby trolley — an office organizer on wheels, designed in 1970 — is priced in the range of $700.
As Colombo intended, his designs are best suited to a modern decor. If your tastes run to sleek, glossy Space Age looks, the work of Joe Colombo offers you a myriad of choices.
Find vintage Joe Colombo lamps, seating and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Post modern Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321 Black Gloss
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321. Pre owned Coupe Floor Lamp in black adjustable, an original Joe Colombo design (circa 1967) for Oluce model 3321. Oluce's 1960s Coupe floor lamps pairs a...
Metal
Joe Colombo for Comfort Lounge Chair 'Elda' in Black Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lounge ch...
Leather, Fiberglass
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chair in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lo...
Leather, Fiberglass
KD24 Lamp by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The KD24 lamp was designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell in 1968. Its flexible design allows for a vast number of configurations between the light and rotatable lampshade. This piece ...
Metal
Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort - 1960's Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Lisboa, PT
Iconic Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort - Collectible Design Masterpiece The Elda Chair, designed by visionary Italian designer Joe Colombo for Comfort in the 1960s, is an unpa...
Leather, Fiberglass
Rare set of Flash wall or ceiling lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy 1960
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Milano, IT
Each lamp features a chalice-shaped aluminum shade and finished in matte white lacquer. A black plastic knob allows adjustment of the main body's rotation angle. Designed and manufac...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 4 Drawers in Cumin for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Joe Colombo Smoking Set with Ashtray and Cigar Holder, Italy, 1968, Mid-Century Modern
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, IT
A rare matching smoking set featuring the iconic "Biglia" ashtray or pipe holder, designed by the renowned Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1968 for the famous Arnolfo di Cambio cryst...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Brass
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' in Orange 'Sprinkles Kvadrat' for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' in orange 'Sprinkles Kvadrat' for B-Line Multichair is a convertible system consisting of two individual elements that can easily turn into a conversation/r...
Fabric
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L with 6 Drawers in White for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L with 5 Drawers in Black for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Outdoor Wall Lamps in Black for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' outdoor wall lamps in black for Oluce. Executed in lacquered aluminum and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midc...
Aluminum
KD29 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District
Designed in 1967 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, the KD29 table lamp is a quintessential icon of Italian Space Age design. The lamp features a glowing hemispherical acrylic shade suspend...
Acrylic, Wood
$223Sale Price / item|57% Off
Fresnel Wall Sconce Blu Joe Colombo for Luce 1960s Original Italian Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Fresnel wall sconce blu Joe Colombo for Luce 1960s original Italian design.
Metal
Joe Colombo Swivel "Elda" Leather Lounge Chair
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
Lounge chair designed by Joe Colombo (1930-1971) in 1963 model "Elda"for Comfort. Made of fiberglass structure upholstered with black and white leather which make it very unique. It ...
Bouclé, Fiberglass
Elda Chair and Ottoman by Joe Colombo for Comfort, Italy 1970s
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Hellouw, NL
The Elda chair, designed in 1963 by the visionary Italian designer Joe Colombo, remains one of the most recognisable lounge chairs of the 20th century. Sculptural, enveloping and fut...
Leather, Plastic
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in White
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in White. Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury...
Steel
Joe Colombo Mini Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Mid-Century Modern
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Lamp model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal
Brown 'Boby' trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, Italy 1970's
By Bieffeplast, Joe Colombo
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This “Boby” trolley or portable storage system was designed by Joe Colombo in 1969. A very handy trolley made of ABS plastic. It has many storage options such as the fold-out shelves...
Plastic
Joe Colombo Chair No. 4801, Black Plywood, Kartell, Italy, 1960s, One of Two
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two "interlocking" lounge chairs designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, manufactured in midcentury. Joe Colombo's iconic 4801 armchair was designed in 1963-1964. A modern chair with striking visual appeal by the master of Italian Space Age design. A limited number of wood 4801 chairs...
Plywood
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Pendant Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Pendant Lamp in White for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mid-century e...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Floor Lamp in Chrome and White for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' floor lamp in chrome and white for Stilnovo. Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mid-centu...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Desk Lamp
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable Italian desk lamp. Swivel and tilt cylindrical hood shade allows for positioning and direction of light. Cream enamel and bright chrome original finish, working and wired...
Chrome, Metal
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chairs in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chairs ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This l...
Leather, Fiberglass
Joe Colombo Boby Work Trolley, Plastic, Mid-Century Modern, 1971
By Joe Colombo, Bieffeplast
Located in bari, IT
An elegant and at the same time practical and useful work trolley, model Boby, this one designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Bieffeplast. Designed for ...
Plastic
1970s Stilnovo Joe Colombo ' Campana ' Pendant Early Edition , Italy
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Original early edition of Stilnovo Campana ( Bell ) pendant designed by Joe Colombo in the 70s , Italy . Solid well made construction made of aluminium . Enameled finish . Conta...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo Mini Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Mid-Century Modern
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Lamp model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal
Tube Chair Modular Armchair by Joe Colombo for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modular and flexible, essential and customizable: the Tube Chair – an iconic presence in the permanent collections of the Triennale in Milan, and the MoMA and Metropolitan Museum of ...
Leather, Fabric, Foam
Black plastic & metal 70s Boby serving container by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast
By Joe Colombo, Bieffeplast
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Low version of the Boby container designed by Joe Colombo in the 1960s. This is a black plastic container unit with 3 wheels and versatile storage compartments. Ideal for use as a be...
Metal
Vintage Joe Colombo Elda Chair, Comfort Fratelli Longhi, Black Leather
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Elda Chair, designed by Joe Colombo and manufactured by Comfort Fratelli Longhi. The Elda Chair’s futuristic design reflects Colombo’s interest in space exploration and mode...
Leather, Fiberglass
$415Sale Price|20% Off
Cremewhite Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, Italy, 1970s
By Bieffeplast, Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed in 1969, Joe Colombo’s iconic "Boby 3" portable storage system was produced by Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast and makes savy use of space with its swivel design. It is mad...
Plastic
$10,983Sale Price / set|20% Off
Joe Colombo 'Model 300' Dining Chairs in Oak and Leather for Pozzi, Italy 1965
By Joe Colombo, Pozzi
Located in Hellouw, NL
A very pleasant set of six 'model 300' chairs designed by Joe Colombo in 1965 for the Italian manufacturer Pozzi. Colombo was convinced that functionality should come first, and the ...
Leather, Oak
$7,112 / item
Coupe Floor Lamp '3320/R' by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coupe floor lamp (3320/R) designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. The Coupe series of lamps is considered as a variation of the spider lamps. The simplisti...
Metal, Chrome
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s Smoke glass all made of glass. The cylindrical bowl is made of transparent glass, while the side stem and round...
Glass
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 6 Drawers in Verdigris for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Italian midcentury pair of Spider wall lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare pair of iconic Spider wall lamps designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce in 1965. Original metal structure and lacquered lampshade, the two lamps are composed of a single lighting bo...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 4 Drawers in Tornado Grey for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
$1,748 / item
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Coupé' White by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967. Adjustable rotating metal wall lamp giving direct and reflected light. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. The Coupé series, designed b...
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 5 Drawers in Cumin for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in Green
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in Green. Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury...
Steel
$528Sale Price|31% Off
1960s Lusch Erzeugnis Tulip Table by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s cream tulip end or coffee table designed by Joe Colombo for Lusch Erzeugnis. Made in Germany. The table, given the name 'tulip' with reference to the table’s base shape, featur...
Plastic
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Wall Lamps in Chrome for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' wall lamps in chrome for Oluce. Executed in chrome-plated metal and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury...
Aluminum, Chrome
Joe Colombo Vademecum Table Lamp Kartell, 1969s
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in Skokie, IL
Joe Colombo Vademecum table lamp Kartell Italy, 1969 Additional information: Materials:plastic, chrome-plated steel Dimensions: 7" W × 3" D × 10" H Condition: Very good. Tested and...
Steel
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Chrome for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' table lamp in chrome for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury era, pro...
Metal, Chrome
Early Edition Pair of Joe Colombo Tube Chair for Flexform, Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Brussels, BE
Early Edition Pair of Joe Colombo Tube Chairs for Flexform The Tube Chair, designed in 1969 by Joe Colombo for Flexform, is an iconic example of radical Italian design. Composed of ...
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Joe Colombo Elda swivel chair in original condition.
By Joe Colombo
Located in Greensboro, NC
Iconic swiveling "Elda Chair" by Italian designer Joe Colombo. This chair was designed in 1963, and put into production in 1965. Our chair is an early production in original condit...
Leather, Fiberglass
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Wall Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Wall Lamp in White for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mid-century era,...
Metal, Chrome
Boby storage cabinet with wheels and compartments by Joe Colombo for BieffePlast
By Joe Colombo, Bieffeplast
Located in Milano, IT
Famous object trolley designed by Joe Colombo in the 1960s and produced by BIEFFEPLAST. The trolley for sale is dated 1980. It is in good condition, with small marks due to wear an...
Plastic
Italian modern smoke glasses by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern smoke glasses by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s Dinnerware of four set consisting of three smoke glasses with different heights, all made of glass. The cylin...
Glass
Set of Two Joe Colombo Mini Coupe Table Lamps by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table Lamps model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered alumini...
Metal
Joe Colombo Mid-Century Bar Stool, White Lacquered Wood, Italy, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
Joe Colombo bar stool, an Italian design piece from the 1960s, featuring a white lacquered wooden double cylinder frame with a wooden base and a black faux leather upholstered seat.
Leather, Wood
Elda Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, Italy 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in bruxelles, BE
Swivel armchair in beige canvas and black shell by Joe Colombo. Elda model. Seat height 40 cm. Wear due to time and age of armchair. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Fiberglass, Canvas
Joe Colombo Black Lacquer Bar Cabinet, Italy, 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cylindrical dry bar is a bold example of futuristic Italian design from the 1970s by visionary Joe Colombo. Crafted in high-gloss black lacquer with polished chrome accents, it ...
Chrome
Joe Colombo, Combi Center cabinet/container for Bernini 1963/1997
By Joe Colombo
Located in Misinto, IT
The Combi Center is a celebrated example of Italian industrial design, born in 1963 from the revolutionary vision of Joe Colombo, one of the absolute protagonists of design in the 19...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L with 5 Drawers in Red for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley for B-Line. Designed in 1970, current production. Part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York and the “Triennale” in Milan, Smau Prize in 1971. ...
Plastic
Mid-Century Colombo 626 Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Hamburg, DE
A design classic from oluce according to a design by joe colombo from the 1970s. Here is an early version in black. the name of the luminaire makes direct reference to her unique de...
Metal
Stilnovo Joe Colombo Desk or Task Lamp
By Joe Colombo
Located in Montréal, QC
Iconic Joe Colombo for Stilnovo desk/task lamp. Includes both clamp and table base. 60 watts E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb recommended or higher if. Comes with both clam...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
$14,178Sale Price|20% Off
Bagno ABS Joe Colombo, 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Manzano, IT
Bagno ABS Joe Colombo, 1970s Joe Colombo, passato alla storia come "designer del futuro", è caratterizzato per una visione ottimistica del progresso e questo bagno, come tutte le sue...
Ceramic
Mid Century Modern, Joe Colombo, black Boby Trolley Cart 1970, Italy
By Joe Colombo, Bieffeplast
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid Century Modern Iconic Joe Colombo Boby Trolley cart, in black color, designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Bieffeplast Italy. Original 1970 edition. This “Boby” trolley or port...
Plastic
Space Age Modular Bar Set by Joe Colombo, Italy, ca. 1968
By Joe Colombo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Joe Colombo during the height of Italy's Space Age movement, this exceptional modular bar set perfectly embodies the designer's visionary approach to modern living. Compr...
Metal