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.
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the Dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Crystal by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Resin
Kartell Sundial Modular Bookcase in Crystal and White by Nendo
By Nendo, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sundial is the bookcase whose dividing elements, placed in different directions, create a game of unexpected and original proportions.
Resin
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Resin
$853 / item
Kartell Bookworm in White
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutionary project produced on an industrial scale...
Plastic
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Amber by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Op Pop Mod DePas Durbino Lomazzi for Kartell Modular Brick Shelf System
By Depas E D'urbino, Kartell, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Ferndale, MI
Memphis era modular shelf system named " Brick " for the stackable plastic up rights. Designed by Gionathan DePas, Donato D'Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi...
Plastic
Vintage 1970s plastic corner bookcase designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell
By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell
Located in None, IT
Orange angular ABS plastic library, modular interlocking, design Olaf von Bohr for Kartell, 1970s CONDITION: In good condition, shows signs of wear given by time. SIZING: Height 2...
Plastic
$719Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Kartell Ghost Buster Lucite Cabinet/Bookcase by Phillippe Starck
By Kartell
Located in East Freetown, MA
Vintage lucite/acrylic Kartell small shelving cabinet/bookcase. Sturdy item with curved front
Acrylic
Kartell Bookworm in Black
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutionary project produced on an industrial scale...
Plastic
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Smoke by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Resin
$1,243 / item
Kartell Bookworm in Cobalt
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Plastic
$721 / item
Kartell Bookworm in Aluminum
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Plastic
Kartell Medium Bookworm Bookcase in Aluminum by Ron Arad
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An artist's creativity combined with a great company’s technology results in to a bookcase design of Industrial scale that can rightfully be considered the world’s most daring and re...
Plastic
$1,447 / item
Kartell Bookworm in Black and Gold
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutionary project produced on an industrial scale...
Plastic
$9,917 / item
Kartell Adam Wood Bookcase
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Adam Wood is Kartell’s first real bookcase for living areas. The shapes of its curved wooden shelves and 3-D painted steel frame have been optimised by CAD s...
Aluminum
$1,243 / item
Kartell Bookworm in Aluminum
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Plastic
$1,243 / item
Kartell Bookworm in White
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Plastic
White Turtle Bookcase, by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a series of accessories. Onc...
Metal
$6,965 / item
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Pontile Bookcase, in canaletto walnut, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce canaletto finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Wood, Walnut
$6,111 / item
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Pontile bookcase and cabinet, in oak wood by AccardiBuccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Oak wood finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a brick red protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Cod. e DIM: — PON bookcase W200 x H200 x D40 cm MATERIALS: oak wood COLORS: colors head poles Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in legno di rovere finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Wood, Oak
$6,965 / item
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Pontile Bookcase, in canaletto walnut, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce Canaletto finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Wood, Walnut
$3,058
H 50.4 in W 54.34 in D 11.82 in
Danish Rosewood Bookcase with LP Rack made by Hundevad & Co, 1960s
By Hundevad & Co.
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Bookcase with LP/magazine rack Danish bookcase in beautiful rosewood veneer with LP/Magazine rack made by Hundevad & Co. The horizontal shelves can be adjusted in height. Overall th...
Rosewood
$4,420
H 78.75 in W 33.86 in D 65.36 in
Vintage 1970s plastic corner bookcase designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell
By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell
Located in None, IT
Orange angular ABS plastic library, modular interlocking, design Olaf von Bohr for Kartell, 1970s CONDITION: In good condition, shows signs of wear given by time. SIZING: Height 2...
Plastic
$2,749 / item
H 53 in W 46 in D 16 in
Industrial Rolling Shelving Storage Rack Bookcase, Rough Sawn Pine and Cast Iron
By Tim Byrne
Located in Oakville, CT
Rough sawn pine and cast iron industrial rolling shelving storage rack unit. Overall height of 53" with 22" between each shelf, shelves measure 12" in...
Steel, Iron
$9,300Sale Price|22% Off
H 80 in W 92.5 in D 17.75 in
Emerald Green Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous emerald green cerused oak is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s and 1980s. You can con...
Oak
$2,160
H 57 in W 40 in D 10 in
Custom U.T.Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase. 70's Plastic Spaceage
By Kartell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Custom U. T. Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase/shelving. 1970's Plastic Spaceage Design ! nOT sure if this was ever produced?? Possibly cus...
Plastic, Wood
$4,860 / item
H 42 in W 76 in D 12 in
Casey Lurie Modern Low "Primo" Shelving System in White Oak with Stainless Steel
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room, as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.” William L. Hamilton, The Wall Street Journal The Primo shelving...
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
$4,362 / item
H 59.06 in W 59.06 in D 11.82 in
Leyva High Bookcase in Glossy White Finish by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia, Giuseppe Viganò 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Leyva table is made of painted iron rod welded into a grille of uniform squares. Sophisticated and unintrusive, Leyva decorates the living room with a light, contemporary touch. The Leyva collection also includes a latticework bookcase with the same design, a cleancut and essential silhouette. Its willowy minimal contours conjure up an airy lightness. Whether it is wall-mounted or free-standing, it will easily blend into any setting. Perfect for modern settings and a seamless solution for industrial surrounds, it could also bestow an unexpected twist on more classical décor. Moveable shelves and the base, for floor version, are in coated sheet metal. The designer Giuseppe Viganò...
Iron
Postmodern Modular Bookcase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This striking black bookcase, crafted in the 1980s, embodies the bold aesthetics of the postmodern design movement. Its modular grid structure is both functional and sculptural, offe...
Wood
Kartell Red Bookcase by Giulio Polvara 1960s-70s
By Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
Red plastic modular bookcase with adjustable position elements. The maker's mark is present.
Plastic
Kartell modular bookcase by Giulio Polvara 1960s-70s
By Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
Black plastic modular bookcase with adjustable position elements.
Plastic
Ron Arada bookkase by Kartell 1990s.
By Kartell, Ron Arad
Located in bari, IT
Lovely Rita bookcase in red plastic designer Ron Arad for Kartell 1990s
Plastic
Sold
H 30 in W 15 in D 15 in
1990s Acrylic Resin and Steel “One” Wall Unit by Piero Lissoni for Kartell
By Kartell
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1990s Piero Lissoni’s innovative solution for organizing. Made in Italy. The core element of the One is a container of parallel pipes made of PMMA. Two of the base elements are fitte...
Metal
Sold
H 21 in W 29.5 in D 10.5 in
Clear Acrylic New-In-Box “Sound Rack” by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba for Kartell
By Kartell
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Another modular piece from Kartell designers, the “Sound Rack” by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba is a small cabinet that can take on many forms. It can be sta...
Acrylic
Kartell Magazine Rack by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
By Giotto Stoppino, Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
This beautiful magazine rack crafted by Kartell and designed by Giotto Stoppino is a minimalist piece of design from the 1970s, boasting an extra-large design featuring six storage c...
Plastic
Sold
H 7.49 in W 125.99 in D 7.88 in
Italian Deep Blue Bookworm Wall Mounted Shelves by Ron Arad for Kartell
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Original deep blue 1998 Ron Arad Bookworm wall-mounted book shelves in new condition with original box and instructions book. Ron Arad's "Bookworm" ...
PVC
Sold
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
Italian modern yellowed plastic wall shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell 1970s
By Kartell, Marcello Siard
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of three yellowed white plastic wall shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s Set of three cream white plastic shelves designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell i...
Plastic
Kartell Bookworm Design Ron Arad Is This Bookshelf
By Ron Arad, Kartell
Located in Oirlo, LI
Kartell bookworm Design Ron Arad 3 meters in length is this bookshelf. The unique vision that the designer has had on the bookshelf, makes the Bo...
PVC
Large Library by Giulio Polvara for Kartell, 1970's
By Giulio Polvara, Kartell
Located in Lisboa, PT
This large library was designed by Giulio Polvara and produced by Kartell, during the 1970's. Structure in plastic elements that can be joined together. In good and original conditio...
Plastic
Modern Molded Plastic Kartell Milano Modular Bookcase by Olaf von Bohr
By Kartell, Olaf von Bohr
Located in Houston, TX
Trendy modern Kartell Milano modular bookshelf. It is made of molded plastic and by Olaf Von Bohr. Each shelf section separates for easy transport or to build onto another modular pi...
Plastic
Sold
H 21 in W 29.5 in L 21 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Crystal by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin