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.
Vintage Joe Colombo Poker Game Table by Zanotta, 1968 Italy
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Zagreb, HR
Iconic vintage poker table designed by renowned designer Joe Colombo for Italian manufacturer Zanotta in 1968. The vibrant poker table features chromed steel ashtrays which pull out ...
Chrome
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
$3,450
H 29 in W 34 in D 34 in
Vintage Game Table With Leather Top by Baker Furniture "Collectors Edition"
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Vintage Game Table With Leather Top by Baker Furniture "Collectors Edition" - a timeless masterpiece that seamlessly combin...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Flame Mahogany Convertible Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite antique flip-top games table is a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a breathtaking flame mahogany veneer that ripples with deep, shimmering grain. Dra...
Brass
Guglielmo Ulrich Game Table, Italy 1950's
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in New York, NY
Flip top game table, when not in use the wood top has a sun marquetry, on the flip side, a velvet insert lets you play cards, each player has it’s own little pull out drink tray.
Walnut
Unootto Game Set for Unootto Poker Table by Impatia
By IMPATIA
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
About Impatia: At Impatia each creation is a tale of excellence, driven by the core value of empathy. The human-to-human approach creates a journey of exploration, which is highlighted by technical development, high-quality materials and incomparable aesthetic refinement. The development of each product is full of interpretation from the first glance, becoming a representation of a lifestyle and an instantly recognizable identity, that pushes to reinvent the classics. About the Unootto collection: Unootto is the reinterpretation of the traditional professional poker table, making the A-game stylish and sophisticated. The entire structure is made of glass and is inspired by the Classic cut of the diamond. The octagonal table consists of a frame that supports the playing surface in Alca- ntara®. The chrome finish metal legs make this jewel of an Italian design even more brilliant. A table with outstanding design and functionality, the Unootto steps up the game of poker with its stylish appearance. Featuring a medley of luxury materials, which are handcrafted by only the best. This listing only includes Poker Game Set...
Leather, Glass
Vintage Boho Wrapped Rattan Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate the aesthetic of your sunroom or living space with this exquisite vintage wrapped rattan game table. Masterfully constructed with tight split reed detailing, the table featur...
Rattan, Glass
Vintage Wrapped Grasscloth Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the refined organic modernism of the 1970s with this exquisite square game table. Expertly hand-wrapped in natural grasscloth, the piece features a classic Parsons-inspired s...
Raffia, Glass, Wood
Trolley "Boby," Joe Colombo, Italy 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in Torino, IT
Trolley "Boby," Joe Colombo, Italy 1970
Plastic
55" Round Poker/Game Table on Pedestal Base
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a poker/game table. It comes with a felt top and a plastic top for easy maintenance. The top reverses from wood to a felt top with a collar and Poker symbol. The table comes ...
Felt, Walnut
$5,492 / set
H 31.89 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
1970s Italian Game Table and Chairs by Pierluigi Molinari for Pozzi
By Pierluigi Molinari, Pozzi
Located in Paris, FR
Italian game table for bridge, cards and poker by Pierluigi Molinari (Milan, 1938) for Pozzi Milano. Structure in lacquered ebony wood. The four cub...
Felt, Ebony
Italian Vintage Game Table
Located in Milano, IT
This rare 1970s game table is a true celebration of elegance and the craftsmanship of Italian design. Made from fine ebonized wood and enriched with brass details that create a refin...
Brass
Vintage Italian Carved and Painted Game Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The Vintage Italian Carved and Painted Game Table is a unique and stylish piece of furniture. Featuring nice carving and beautiful patina. Very elegant! Circa 1940 30h x 37w x 37d
Wood
Game Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Joe Colombo (Milan 1930 - 1971) "Poker" card table Laminate, stainless steel, Game table designed in 1968 by the famous designer Joe Colombo, produced by Zanotta, with double layered...
Metal, Chrome
Game Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Joe Colombo (Milan 1930 - 1971) "Poker" card table Laminate, stainless steel, Game table designed in 1968 by the famous designer Joe Colombo, produced by Zanotta, with double layered...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.76 in W 38.47 in D 38.47 in
Vintage White Beech Game Table "Poker" by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, Italy
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1968. This iconic game table, "model "Poker" was designed by the dreamer Joe Colombo for the Zanotta company. The legs are made in inox steel with transparent plastic...
Steel
Sold
H 27.17 in W 26.38 in D 26.38 in
Italian Modern Steel and Plastic Bistrò Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed steel and black plastic Bistrò table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta in 1970s. Small table, Bistró model, with central leg in steel, square piano with rounded corn...
Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in W 38.59 in D 38.59 in
Joe Colombo for Zanotta Italian Poker Card or Game Table, 1960, Minimalist
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Antwerp, BE
Joe Colombo; Zanotta; Dining room table; Game table: Italian furniture design; 1960's; Iconic Italian design; Post-modern; Mid-century modern; Space-age; Minimalist Joe Colombo ca...
Steel
Gaming Table Joe Colombo Formica Chromed Metal, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
Gaming table with double top, retractable ashtrays, formica-covered wood, chromed metal legs.
Metal
Poker Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a very original early example of this scarce design. Overall in good condition for it's age, a few light scratches as can be expected and one small chip in the melamine top, ...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in W 38.59 in L 27.56 in
Midcentury Joe Colombo for Zanotta Square White Laminated Poker Table, Italy
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, IT
Beautiful and original poker table with white plastic laminated plywood tops and metal legs. There are the Classic four small revolving square shelves, with ashtrays in the center, a...
Metal
Game Table by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Game Table / Dining / Work Table by Joe Colombo
Poker / Game Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Poker / Game / Dining Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta. This piece is in excellent original condition. The cup holders / Ashtrays flip out fr...
Stainless Steel
Poker Table by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Modern poker table by Joe Colombo with swiveling individual cocktail surfaces and sunken chrome half-sphere ashtrays. Laminated wood with chrome leg...
Chrome
Joe Colombo "poker" table for Zanotta
By Joe Colombo, Zanotta
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice Colombo "poker" table . Stainless tubular legs with laminate levels and pull out ashtrays/cupholders. A clever design . Incredibly well made and very heavy.
Stainless Steel