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Kartell Seating

Italian

The Italian design giant Kartell transformed plastic from the stuff of humble household goods into a staple of luxury design in the 1960s. Founded in Milan by Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli (1920–2006) and his wife Anna Ferrieri (1918–2006), Kartell began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa were making Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly, and Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods.

They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Consumers in the postwar era were initially skeptical of plastic goods, but their affordability and infinite range of styles and hues eventually won devotees. Tupperware parties in the United States made plastic storage containers ubiquitous in postwar homes, and Kartell’s ingenious designs for juicers, dustpans, and dish racks conquered Europe. Kartell designer Gino Colombini was responsible for many of these early products, and his design for the KS 1146 Bucket won the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1955.

Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Designers Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper created the K1340 (later called the K 4999) children’s chair that year, and families enjoyed their bright colors and light weight, which made them easy for kids to pick up and move. In 1965, Joe Colombo (1924–78) created one of Kartell’s few pieces of non-plastic furniture, the 4801 chair, which sits low to the ground and comprised of just three curved pieces of plywood. (In 2012, Kartell reissued the chair in plastic.) Colombo followed up on the success of the 4801 with the iconic 4867 Universal Chair in 1967, which, like Verner Panton’s S chair, is made from a single piece of plastic. The colorful, stackable injection-molded chair was an instant classic. That same year, Kartell introduced Colombo’s KD27 table lamp. Ferrierei’s cylindrical 4966 Componibili storage module debuted in 1969.

Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work in 1972, when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” opened at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. That show introduced American audiences to the work of designers such as Gaetano Pesce; Ettore Sottsass, founder of the Memphis Group; and the firms Archizoom and Superstudio (both firms were among Italy's Radical design groups) — all of whom were using wit, humor and unorthodox materials to create a bracingly original interior aesthetic.

Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company’s roster of designers.

Kartell produced Ron Arad’s Bookworm wall shelf in 1994, and Philippe Starck’s La Marie chair in 1998. More recently, Kartell has collaborated with the Japanese collective Nendo, Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola and glass designer Tokujin Yoshioka, among many others. Kartell classics can be found in museums around the world, including MoMA, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. In 1999, Claudio Luti established the Museo Kartell to tell the company’s story, through key objects from its innovative and colorful history.

Find vintage Kartell tables, seating, table lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Kartell
The Bubble Club Armchair by Kartell Philippe Starck
By Kartell
Located in Pasadena, TX
Made entirely of polyethylene, the very comfortable Bubble Club Armchair owes its cartoonlike appearance to the contrast between traditional lines...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Other Kartell Seating

Materials

Polystyrene

Joe Colombo for Kartell Armchair Mod. 4801 Numbered No. 29, Italy 1960s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
Fantastic and large white curved beech wood armchair, Mod. 4801 Designer Joe Colombo and produced by Kartell in Italy , an icon of Italian Modernism. A limited number of wooden 4801 ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kartell Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

"Polo" Bar Stool by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell, 1979
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in Budapest, HU
Designed in 1979 by Italian modernist Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell, the Polo Bar Stool captures the optimism and material innovation of the late 20th century. Ferrieri, celebra...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Modern Red Plastic Vintage Seven Dining Chairs Ron Arad for Kartell 1999 Italy
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern set of 7 red plastic vintage chairs or dining chairs from red plastic and aluminum FPE Fantastic Plastic Elastic by Ron Arad for Kartell Italy 1999. An amazing set of seven ( ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 2 Kartell Papyrus Chair in Olive Green by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Papyrus is a remake of the archetypal antique rush chair, from a time when chair structures were decisive and strong. This chair combines a transluc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Italian Orange Chairs by Kartell
By Kartell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two orange Lucite chairs by Kartell with the original stamp.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Philippe Starck "Eros" Red Swivel Chairs, Pair
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Philippe Starck for Kartell "Eros" Red Swivel Chairs, chrome trumpet bases marked "Eros S / by / Kartell / with / Stark / Made in Italy" to reverses. 31" H x 24" W x 21" D; s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Vintage Eros Eiffel Chair by Philippe Starck for Kartell Italy
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in bari, IT
Pair of chairs model Eros made of polycarbonate and die-cast metal, Designed by Philippe Starck in 1995 for Kartell, Eros is an enveloping, organically shaped armchair characterized ...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Philippe Starck for Kartell White Eros Swivel Italian Chairs, Set of 2
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Wichita, KS
Rare original Philippe Starck for Kartell Eros swivel chairs with marking, made in Italy.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Kartell Uncle Jack Sofa by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell presents Uncle Jack, the revolutionary single mould transparent polycarbonate sofa signed by Philippe Starck. It is 190 cm long in a single block we...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

6 Kartell Italy Mademoiselle Chairs by Philippe Starck Black Fabric Lucite
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of 6 Mademoiselle dining or armchairs in the original black cotton upholstery and with transparent Lucite frames. Designed by Philippe Starck and made in Italy by Kartel...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Lucite

Set of 2 Kartell AI Chair in Bronze Created by Artificial Intelligence
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Post-Modern Model 4855 Armchair Chair by Anna Castelli for Kartell
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool post-modern Model 4855 armchair chair by Anna Castelli for Kartell, circa 1990s. The cockpit shaped structure has curved armrests with a round midsection and detachable section...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Kartell Chair La Marie in Crystal by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The first completely transparent chair in the world, made of polycarbonate in a single mould. Marie combines a light and impalpable image with essent...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Italian Chairs Model 4870 by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell, Italy 80s
By Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Kartell
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of 4 Mid Century Modern Chairs, model 4870, was designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell Italy in '80s. The Chairs are stackable and the legs are removable. These Chairs ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Anna Castelli Ferrieri Set of Three Monochrome Stools for Kartell
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Set of Three Monochrome Postmodern Stools by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell, Italy, 1980s Table can be sold as well but is not by Kartell if requested. Currently used for illu...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Chrystal by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Lou Lou Vintage Children's Ghost Chair Crystal Plastic Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Miami, FL
We offer the Vintage Classic Lou Lou Kartell Ghost Chair for Kids in transparent Plastic. Philippe Starck's Lou Lou Ghost vintage Armchair for the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Piuma Chair in Black by Piero Lissoni
By Kartell, Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
2016 saw the completion of the “Piuma” project by Piero Lissoni. The chair is one of the most revolutionary and enterprising products in Kartell’s repertoire of technology and materi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell AI Chair in Green Created by Artificial Intelligence
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the planet. A.I. is the chair created for the first time ever using 100% recycled material, in which aesthetics and structural requirements remain unaltered, blending seamlessly with generative design. Available in white, black, green, orange, gray, bronze, titanium and gold.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Master Counter Stool in Rust Orange by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013, and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and the seat is shrunk, but the frame's unmistakable graphic look, created by the weave of the silhouettes of three iconic chairs, remains the same. Masters Stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in Titanium by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Philippe Starck for Kartell Stool "Napoleon," Italy 2000
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Naples, IT
Napoleon is a stool-table that is striking in its originality and nonconformity. Designed to decorate any room without preclusion, with sympathy and humor, but also with an eye to fu...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Ami Ami Chair in Glossy Black by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Kartell, Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by the way pattern and texture interweave in a fabric, the Ami Ami chair (its name in Japanese literally means "to weave"), was born of designer's wish to reproduce one of the stylistic icons typical of his country - weaving. The simple squared off lines contrast with the richness of the weaving and this is achieved on the inner and outer surfaces through a complex industrial process which recreates the motif using a single mould. Available in crystal, smoke, glossy white, glossy black and Kartell red.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Bubble Club 2-Seat Sofa in Light Grey by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A veritable icon made by Kartell, the mass-tinted polypropylene Bubble club sofa was a Pioneer of a new concept in furniture accessories: the Industrial sofa made entirely of plastic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell One More Please Square Bar Stools in Black by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell AI Chair in Orange Created by Artificial Intelligence
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Cara Chair Black Antracite by Philippe Starck with Sergio Schito
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In cara armchair, classically rigorous lines surround a comfortable seat. The perfect combination of formalism and technological innovation, for an original product with an industria...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Kartell Smatrik Stool in White by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Kartell, Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smatrik stool joins the family of seats created by Tokujin Yoshioka and is crafted using a mould which enables the recreation of a 3D net that overlaps and crosses over.Thanks to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Steel

Kartell Eros Swivel Chair by Phillippe Starck, Set of Four
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Eros Swivel Chair, a stunning creation by renowned designer Phillippe Starck for Kartell. This luxurious chair features a unique and eye-catching design, with a smoot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Kartell Hiray Sofa by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
HIRAY takes metal, one of the most important materials for the greening of the Kartell catalogue, and uses the welded wire process to shape it. The result is an essential and functional product that is nevertheless rich in emotion. Metal wires form well-defined yet lightweight structural parts of the collection’s chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in Plum with Plum Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Tokujin Yoshioka, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell K-Wood Arm-Chair by Philippe Starck in Dark Wood Black
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smart Wood collection is the outcome of Kartell's unremitting research into the possibility of giving three dimensional form to a material which so far has always been two dimensional. Using patented technology, the wood is worked with a mold designed to bring the curvature of the panel to the very edges, creating a seat with sinuous roundness, K/Wood is a royal style...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Wood

Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Medium Stools in Crystal by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Crystal

Italian postmodern pink plastic Dr Glob chairs Philippe Starck for Kartell 1980s
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern pink plastic Dr Glob chairs Philippe Starck for Kartell 1980s Set of four tub chairs mod. Dr Glob stackable. The seat and the two square-section front legs are in ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Kartell Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Glossy Black by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Crystal

Pop Duo Missoni Armchair by Piero Lissoni
By Kartell, Missoni, Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop is the modular sofa with double cushion on the seat and armrests, making it soft, enveloping and even more comfortable. The armchair is also enhanced with side cushions, giving...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt Black Chair by Piero Lissoni
By Piero Lissoni, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Pop Outdoor Armchair in Blue by Piero Lissoni
By Piero Lissoni, Kartell, Carlo Tamborini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop outdoor is the modular sofa with evanescent profiles characterised by large seat and backrest cushions which make it soft and comfortable, made with fabrics conceived specificall...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in Sage by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Papyrus Chair in Crystal by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
By Kartell, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Papyrus is a remake of the archetypal antique rush chair, from a time when chair structures were decisive and strong. This chair combines a transluc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Madame Chair in New York Print by Philippe Starck and La Double J
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to its neutral colour palette, this chair makes the ideal furniture piece for inserting in sophisticated residential interiors or the most refined contract projects.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric

Joe Colombo Chairs Sedia Universale 4867 by Kartell Vintage Made in Italy
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Vancouver, BC
A Colombo classic! It's safe to say these are making a comeback in modern interiors today and its sensibility can match well with a wide range of materialities. The design is also it...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in White with White Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Kartell, Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell A.I. Counter Stool in Grey by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell A.I. Bar Stool in White by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Cat Walk Chair in Rose by Philippe Starck with Sergio Schito
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by the world of haute couture and fashion shows, Catwalk is intended for both domestic and contract furnishings and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Madame Chair in Paris Print by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to its neutral colour palette, this chair makes the ideal furniture piece for inserting in sophisticated residential interiors or the most refin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric

Pop Missoni Sofa 3 Seats by Piero Lissoni
By Kartell, Missoni, Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop is the modular sofa with double cushion on the seat and armrests, making it soft, enveloping and even more comfortable. The armchair is also enhanced with side cushions, giving...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Outdoor Chair in Black by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Kartell, Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Uncle Jim Armchair in Black by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Uncle collection designed by Philippe Starck adds the Uncle Jim armchair. The armchair echoes the lines and sinuosity of Uncle Jack and lends itself to b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Cara Mat Chair Black Beige by Philippe Starck with Sergio Schito
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cara is the living room armchair which combines the rigour of classic lines and the comfort of the seat, characterised by the large, high cushion which offers maximum comfort. Cara ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Kartell Be Bop in Black by Ludovica + Roberta Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that combines several expressions in a single vocabulary, tracing the lines of the most traditional carved African stools and merging them with the American design of the gol...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Louis Ghost Armchairs in Smoke Grey by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style, it is the quintessence of baroque revisited to dazzle, excite and captivate. Louis Ghost is the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Bubble Club 2-Seat Sofa in Black by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A veritable icon made by Kartell, the mass-tinted polypropylene Bubble club sofa was a Pioneer of a new concept in furniture accessories: the Industrial sofa made entirely of plastic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Marcel Wanders for Kartell Italy Clear "Stone" Stool - a Pair
By Kartell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Marcel Wanders for Kartell Italy Clear "Stone" Stool - a Pair. Circa 21st Century, Pre-owned. Measurements: 18.25" H x 12" Diameter.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Outdoor Chair in Plum by Tokujin Yoshioka
By Kartell, Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Foliage Armchair in Dove Grey by Patricia Urquiola
By Kartell, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric

Kartell Foliage Sofa by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Kartell Seating

Materials

Fabric

Kartell K-Wait Armchair by Rodolfo Dordoni
By Kartell, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The comfort of an embrace: the K-wait upholstered collection by Rodolfo Dordoni plays with the contrast between the formal simplicity of rigorous volumes and soft, rounded lines. The division between habitat and contract solutions is increasingly blurred in this collection too. The keyword is versatility. Two sofas are complemented by an armchair that can be transformed into a round pouffe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Kartell Seating

Materials

Steel

Kartell seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Kartell seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kartell seating, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 7 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 331 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Kartell were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Philippe Starck, Driade, and Gervasoni. Prices for Kartell seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $160 and can go as high as $11,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $869.
Questions About Kartell Seating
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    The founders of Kartell are Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. Kartell began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa made Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly. Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures, kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company’s roster of designers. Shop a collection of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    Kartell is made in Italy. The company has had its headquarters and factory in Noviglio, Lombardy, since 1967. The company was initially founded in Milan by Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. It began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Shop a wide variety of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
    The country that Kartell is from is Italy. Founded in Milan by Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli and his wife Anna Ferrieri, Kartell began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Then, buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of Kartel furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    The history of Kartell starts with an Italian chemical engineer named Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. The couple founded Kartell in Milan as an industrial design firm, producing utilitarian items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa were making Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly, and Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work in 1972, when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape" opened at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company's roster of designers. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of Kartell furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Kartell is known largely for producing contemporary furniture out of plastic. The Italian company, founded in 1949, helped elevate the material, proving that it was suitable for designer furniture. You can find a collection of Kartell furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    To tell a real Kartell, look for the maker's markings. Nearly all authentic pieces will feature an embossed mark that indicates the Kartell name, the product name and the designer name. If your piece lacks any of these three marks or the marking is printed in ink on the piece or on a paper label, it may be a replica. You can also research identifying characteristics for your particular type of furniture and use these to evaluate your item. Alternatively, you can seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. Find a variety of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    Kartell chairs are made in Italy. Since 1967, the Italian furniture maker has produced pieces at its own factory in Noviglio, Lombardy. During the 1960s, Kartell transformed plastic from the stuff of humble household goods into a staple of luxury design, and plastic remains one of its best-known materials to this day. In fact, it is the material for some of its most iconic chairs, including the Ghost chair, designed by Philippe Starck, and the S chair, created by Verner Panton. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of Kartell chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    The history of Kartell furniture begins with Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. They founded the company in 1949 as an industrial design firm, producing items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures, kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. The affordability and infinite range of styles and hues won devotees of Kartell’s ingenious designs for juicers, dustpans and dish racks. Kartell designer Gino Colombini was responsible for many of these early products, including the KS 1146 Bucket, which won the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1955. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. In 1972, Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” opened at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In 1988, Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, who has expanded the company’s roster of designers. Shop a collection of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    Yes, Kartell is an Italian brand. Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri, founded the company in Milan in 1949. Originally, Kartell was an industrial design firm, producing items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. It first introduced its housewares division in 1953. Find a large selection of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    Yes, the Kartell Componibili is stackable. In fact, a big part of the appeal of the furniture collection is the fact that you can stack it up to create the ideal storage solution for your needs. Kartell first unveiled the Componibili line in 1967, and it remains popular today. Find a collection of Kartell Componibili furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    How you clean Kartell plastic depends on the piece. Often, the best way to clean plastic furniture is with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. However, recommended cleaning methods vary. For the best results, refer to the manufacturer's care instructions that accompany your furniture. Shop a collection of Kartell furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Kartell Louis Ghost chairs are made of lucite. Designed by Phillipe Starck for Kartell in 2002, this clear chair is crafted from a single piece of plastic, making it a beautifully elegant piece. On 1stDibs, find a range of authentic Kartell Ghost chairs from top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    The dimensions of the Kartell Invisible table vary by style. The high rectangular table measures around 15.75 inches in height by 15.75 inches in depth by 47 inches in length, while the low rectangle version is 12.4 inches high by 15.75 inches deep by 47 inches long. There is also a 39-inch by 39-inch square Invisible table available in 28- and 12.4-inch heights. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Kartell Invisible tables.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    How big the Kartell Four table is varies. The rectangular dining table is actually available in four sizes. Its smallest version measures 62.5 inches in width by 31 inches in depth, and the largest is 87.5 inches long by 32 inches deep. Kartell also offers a 74.75-inch long option in two depths: 31 inches and 35.5 inches. All four size options are 28.25 inches tall. Shop a selection of Kartell dining tables on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    Yes, many online reviewers state that the Kartell Masters chair is comfortable. Fans of the chair designed by Philippe Starck with Eugeni Quitllet frequently say that the unique shape of its back and its gently sloped seat together provide optimal support. However, whether or not any chair is comfortable is a matter of personal preference. Find an assortment of Kartell Masters chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
    Philippe Starck designed the Louis Ghost chair for Kartell in 2002. The chair is a postmodern take on the classic Louis XVI armchair, a style that emerged under the fraught reign of French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. This style represented the birth of neoclassicism in France and was characterized by a relative restraint compared to the Rococo flourishes of previous eras. The second half of the chair’s name refers to its materiality. It wasn’t Starck’s first plastic chair for Kartell, but it was the first time it could use a single polycarbonate plastic mold in the process, creating a structure completely free of joints. Formally, Starck distilled the geometry of his antique reference to its main elements: the oval-shaped backrest, curved armrests and straight legs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    Kartell started making plastic objects shortly after its founding in 1949. The company began as an industrial design firm, producing useful items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa made Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters remained relatively costly. Kartell founders Giulio Castelli and Anna Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods. They launched a housewares division in 1953, making lighting fixtures, kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Kartell furniture.

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