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.
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 5 Drawers in Honey 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 Modern Wooden Armchair Model 4801 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Armchair Model 4801 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s.
Wood
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 the particularly rare color blue. The name of the luminaire makes direct...
Metal
Elda Armchair Joe Colombo for Conforti white leather, 1975, set di 2
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Elda Armchair, designed by Joe Colombo for Comfort Italia in 1963, is an icon of modern design. Featuring an avant-garde and futuristic design, this armchair offers extraordinary...
Leather, Fiberglass
"Combi center" by Joe Colombo for Bernini, 1963
By Joe Colombo
Located in Brussels, BE
"Combi center" by Joe Colombo for Bernini, 1963
Metal
Joe Colombo "Boby" ABS Storage Trolley for Bieffeplast, Italy, Circa 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Beirut, LB
An original and rare large-format example of the legendary Boby trolley, designed by the visionary Italian designer Joe Colombo (1930–1971) and manufactured by Bieffeplast, Padova, I...
Plastic
$3,490 / item
Acrilica 281 by Gianni & Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
The Oluce Acrilica 281 is a table lamp, with a transparent, wavy diffuser fixed laterally on a steel base. It was created in 1962 and designed by Gianni a...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in Chrome
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Articulating Floor Lamp for Stilnovo in Chrome. Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentur...
Steel, Chrome
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size S with 3 Drawers in Honey 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
Space Age Pop Art Vintage Red Orange Plastic Dining Chairs Joe Colombo Italy Six
By Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age red and orange six plastic pop art vintage chairs or dining chairs model Universale designed by Joe Colombo 1965 - 1967 and executed by Kart...
Plastic
$909Sale Price|25% Off
Joe Colombo Organizer Cabinet 'Boby Trolley', circa 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, ES
Organizer cabinet designed by Joe Colombo, circa 1960. Manufactured by Bieffeplast Padova, from Italy. In original condition, with some visible signs of previous use and age, preser...
Plastic
Vintage Italian Design Spider Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1960s
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage reading lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy, 1965. This mid-century modern design classic is an original version from the 196...
Metal
1960, Very Early Joe Colombo Topo Floor Lamp Designed for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This lamp is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
Joe Colombo Green TOPO Lamp
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Topo is inspired by automotives in its design. The slits on the shade remind us of the vents on a mid-century sports car. Arm is jointed and can extend and retract.
Enamel
$738Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Red Metal, Mid-Century
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body that reproduces the ancient ‘hammer head...
Metal
Joe Colombo for Stilnovo "Topo" Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
The "Topo" table lamp, originally designed by Joe Colombo in 1970, has long been recognized as an iconic and timeless design. The shape of the reflector mirrors that of a standard bu...
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 3 Drawers in Honey 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 with 2 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
Boby Storage Trolley in Black by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1968
By Bieffeplast, Joe Colombo
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Boby Storage Trolley in Black by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1968 Iconic and highly functional, this Boby model storage trolley was designed in 1968 by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast....
Plastic
Set of Six Joe Colombo 'Sferico' Glass Tableware by Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Glass tableware designed by Joe Colombo in 1968. Joe Colombo believed in democratic and functional design. In his lifetime he designed a wide range of different drinking glasses....
Glass
Set of Two 'The Globe' Table Lamps by Joe Colombo, Satin Gold, Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table lamps "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured...
Metal
Pair of Joe Colombo Chairs No. 4801, Black Plywood Wood, Kartell, Italy, 1960s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of "interlocking" lounge chairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1963. Joe Colombo's iconic 4801 armchair was designed in 1963/1964. A mod...
Plywood, Wood, Bentwood
$1,730Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Coat Rack with Umbrella Stand by Joe Colombo, Italy, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Lucija, SI
Nice and rare coat stand with umbrella stand designed by the famous Italian designer Joe Colombo released in Italy in the 1960s. Structure in lacquered curved wood, foot and cap in...
Brass
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L with 4 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
$1,313Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo Coupé Floor Lamp by Oluce, Lacquered Metal, Italy
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Floor lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967. Floor lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal, Aluminum
Early 1158 Coupe Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo For Oluce, 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking 1158 Coupé wall lamp was designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce in the 1960s and remains a true icon of mid-century modern design. Featuring a bold red lacquered aluminum sh...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 3 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
Red 4630 Roto Ashtray by Joe Colombo for Kartell
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Originally designed in 1970 and produced by Kartell in 1973 two years after designer Joe Colombo's death, the Kartell 4630 Roto/Rotocenere ashtray is Colombo at his finest. Red plast...
Plastic
Vintage Swiveling Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, Italy ca. 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Geneva, CH
Superb edition of the swiveling iconic Elda chair by Joe Colombo and produced by Comfort in Italy ca. 1965. In its full white version in very good condition, unrestored. White leathe...
Leather, Fiberglass
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Red and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in red and black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midc...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Colombo 626 Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Hamburg, DE
A design classic from Oluce to a design by Joe Colombo from the 70s. Here is an early version in the particularly rare color yellow. The name of the luminaire takes direct reference...
Metal
Joe Colombo for Oluce, "Fresnel" Table Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
An extremely rare and beautiful designer table lamp designed by Joe Colombo for O Luce, featuring the iconic Fresnel lens-shaped glass shade. The transparent, satin-finished glass bo...
Metal
$5,400 / item
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his funct...
Wood
Maestro Working Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, Italy, 1969
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Barcelona, ES
Maestro working table designed by Joe Colombo in 1969 for Zanotta, Italy. Development of the poker game table as a work table, very useful due to the two large surfaces. Double workt...
Steel
Joe Colombo Chair 300 by Karakter, Solid Oak, Mid-Century Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholstered...
Wood
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size S with 3 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 S with 2 Drawers in Honey 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
Set of Six Joe Colombo 'Chair 300' Wood and Kvadrat Fabric by Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholst...
Fabric, Wood
JJoe Colombo per Oluce Lampada da Terra "Spider" Rossa, Italia 1960s
By O-Luce, Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
Lampada da terra “Spider” di Joe Colombo, modello n. 3319, in rosso per Oluce. Realizzata in metallo rosso e cromo, è uno dei migliori esempi di design minimalista italiano della met...
Metal
$6,756 / set
Joe Colombo Chair 300 by Karakter, Wood, Denmark
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Uphol...
Wood
Set of Six Joe Colombo 'Chair 300' Wood and Sørensen Leather by Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholste...
Leather, Wood
1970 Topo Joe Colombo Stilnovo Vintage Green Desk Table
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Brescia, IT
"Topo" Desk Lamp Joe Colombo Stilnovo 1970 Green Metal and Black Plastic First Edition Perfect working order
Metal
Italian modern brown storage trolley Boby by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Bieffeplast
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown storage trolley Boby by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1970s Storage trolley model Boby in brown ABS, featuring a compact vertical structure with a rectangular bas...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Special Edition Table Lamp in Red for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' special edition table lamp in red for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcen...
Metal, Chrome
$3,808 / item
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' in Black for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' designed in 1970 in black for B-Line Multichair is a convertible system consisting of two individual elements that can easily turn into a conversation/relax...
Fabric
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L 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
$1,870Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo Black Metal Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in trasparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, It...
Metal
$738Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Blue Metal, Mid-Century
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body that reproduces the ancient ‘hammer head...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size L with 6 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
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter, Solid Oak, Mid-Century Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholstered...
Wood
$3,787Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Two Joe Colombo Satin Gold Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table lamps "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured...
Metal
$1,917Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo Satin Gold Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, I...
Metal
$2,613 / item
Coupe Wall Lamp ‘1158’ by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coupe wall lamp (1158) designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. Elegance defined by form following function is exemplified in this beautiful fixture. A round black plate is attached to the...
Aluminum, Metal
$4,208Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joe Colombo Floor Lamp 'Coupé 3320' Black by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Floor lamp 'Coupé 3320' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967. Floor lamp giving direct light, metal lacquered base and structure, revolving and height adjustable chromium-plated arc, lacq...
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M 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 White Vintage Plastic Boby High Portable Storage Container, Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
White vintage 3 high portable storage container designed by Joe Colombo in 1969, Italy and executed by Bieffeplast, Padova, Italy. The white Joe Colom...
Plastic
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 6 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
Elda Armchair, Joe Colombo for Conforti, white leather, 1975
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Elda Armchair, designed by Joe Colombo for Comfort Italia in 1963, is an icon of modern design. Featuring an avant-garde and futuristic design, this armchair offers extraordinary...
Leather, Fiberglass
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size S with 2 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
Joe Colombo 'Boby' Trolley Size M with 2 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