Livio Castiglioni and his siblings Achille (1918–2002) and Pier Giacomo (1913–68) are responsible for creating some of the most iconic furniture designs in the world, particularly those that originated in the realm of mid-century modern lighting. Punctuating their legacy, the trio was among the founders of Italy’s Association for Industrial Design (ADI), which awards the country’s most prestigious and highly coveted design prize — the Compasso d'Oro.
In 1936, Livio completed his studies in architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. By 1938, he, Pier Giacomo and fellow Italian industrial designer and architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni opened their own firm in Milan. Architects at that time were struggling to secure building commissions, so the group focused on designing everyday objects such as the Model 547, a tabletop radio for Phonola that was encased in Bakelite. By 1944, the youngest brother, Achille, had also graduated from Milan Polytechnic and joined his siblings at their studio.
The Castiglioni brothers produced wildly popular and innovative designs throughout the 20th century. Vintage furniture collectors may be familiar with Livio and Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini’s serpent-like Boalum lamp or Achille’s Taraxacum hanging lamp, which was created for FLOS with sprayed plastic polymers originally intended for military use. Additionally, the Arco, Snoopy and Toio lamps, which were the result of the collaboration between Pier Giacomo and Achille, are milestones in modernist lighting design.
Despite achieving success as an industrial designer, Livio left the firm in 1952 to pursue lighting design and sound technology. He worked as a design consultant for companies such as Brionvega.
Together with his son, Piero, Livio created the Scintilla lighting system for Fontana Arte in the 1970s and continued to design for multiple brands including Alessi, Artemide and Stilnovo until he passed away in 1979.
Find vintage Livio Castiglioni lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Fontana Arte Scintilla Sommatoria sculptural lighting Livio Castiglioni
By Livio Castiglioni, Fontana Arte
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sculptural hanging light designed by Livio Castiglioni in 1972. Produced by Fontana Arte. This lighting fixture consists of one base and six hanging units and one weight. Hanging u...
Steel
Mid-Century Spot Lamp in Chrome by Gae Aulenti for Stilnovo, Italy 1970s
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Roma, IT
Iconic adjustable spot lamp in the largest variant fully made in chrome and steel designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. This versatile wall or cei...
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni Trepiù Table Lamps for Stilnovo, 1972
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni 'Sistema Trepiù' table lamps for Stilnovo, Italy, 1972. Signed Stilnovo.
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron
Italian lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Livio Castiglioni, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s Floor, table or pendant lamp mod. Boalum in translucent flexible PVC with resin terminals. It ...
Plastic
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiu' Pendant Light for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiù' Pendant Light for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury era, ...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
“Boalum” vintage lamp by Livio Castiglioni & Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide
By Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide, Livio Castiglioni
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Early Edition “Boalum” Lamp by Livio Castiglioni & Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970 Italy — MoMA Collection A true design landmark, this first-edition “Boalum” lamp was de...
Plastic
Set of brass wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of nine brass swiveling spots designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can be used as wall lamps and as ceiling lamps. The spots or pro...
Metal
Trepiu floor lamp by Gae Aulenti&Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Trepiu floor lamp by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s. Rare Sistema Trepiu Model 1405 lamp designed by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni, 1970s. This uniquely desi...
Metal, Aluminum
Chrome pendant by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Chrome pendant No. 6505 designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni and produced by Stilnovo Milano in the 1970s. The condition of this pendant is...
Metal
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiu' White and Yellow Pendant Light for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Habitat International, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiù' White and Yellow Pendant for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midce...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
"Pietra" Light by Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte
By Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Albany, NY
The 'Pietra' light is a rare light designed by two powerhouse designers (Aulenti & Castiglioni) in 1988. I have only seen two others in the last 20 years! The lamp is in perfect orig...
Chrome
Early Boalum Lamp by Livio Castiglioni & Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, ca. 1969
By Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Geneva, CH
Early boalum floor or table lamp by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini, produced by Artemide ca. 1969 Flexible PVC diffuser with metal rings enclosing strand of 25 light bulb...
PVC
Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo Floor Lamp Mod.6714, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
Floor lamp Mod. 6714 designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni, produced by Stilnovo in the 1970s. The floor lamp has a chromed metal frame, two spotlights with black plastic fra...
Metal
Italian lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Livio Castiglioni, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s Floor, table or pendant lamp mod. Boalum in translucent flexible PVC with resin terminals. Made up of...
Plastic
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiu' Yellow and Chrome Pendant Light for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiu' Yellow and Chrome Pendant Light for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during th...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Livio Castiglioni & Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide "Boalum" Lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Livio Castiglioni, Artemide, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Naples, IT
This unique table lamp, designed by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini for the Artemide brand in the 1970s, immediately entered the history of Italian and world design. The Bo...
PVC
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiu' White and Black Pendant Light for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Habitat International, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Aulenti and Castiglioni 'Trepiù' White and Black Pendant for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcen...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Large chrome floor lamp by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Large chrome floor lamp No. 6715, designed by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni and manufactured by Stilnovo in the 1970s. In a Stilnovo catalogue from the 1970s this lamp had the fol...
Metal, Aluminum
BOALUM lamp - L. Castiglioni- G. Frattini - ARTEMIDE - ITALY 1970.
By Gianfranco Frattini, Livio Castiglioni, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Created in 1970 by LIVIO CASTIGLIONI é GIANFRANCO FRATTINI and produced by ARTEMIDE, it was defined by DOMUS magazine as "A SERPENT OF BRIGHT LIGHT, it immediately entered the histor...
PVC
Metal Floor Lamp by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo, 1972
By Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni designed this floor lamp for Stilnovo in 1972. It is made out of chromed metal and aluminium with cast iron base. The four round lights can be rota...
Metal
Chrome table lamp by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Chrome table lamp No. 6713 designed by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni, and manufactured by Stilnovo in the 1970s. In a Stilnovo catalogue from the 1970s this lamp had the following...
Metal, Aluminum
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in white for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during...
Metal
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Gold for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in gold for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during th...
Metal
H 7.88 in W 3.94 in D 7.49 in
Minibox Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni for Stilnovo, Italy, 1980s
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
The 'Minibox' table lamp, conceived by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni in the 1980s, is a whimsical reinterpretation of a miner's 'torch.' Featuring a magnetic attachment, the refl...
Metal
H 11 in W 11 in D 22 in
Gianfranco Frattini 'Aspide' Table Lamp for GUBI
By Gubi, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Glendale, CA
Gianfranco Frattini 'Aspide' Table Lamp for GUBI. Named after the Italian word for ‘asp’, for its serpentine form, the Aspide was designed as a versatile task lamp that may be adjus...
Metal, Chrome, Iron
H 11.82 in W 6.3 in D 2.17 in
Black Scintilla Table Lamp by Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte, 1980s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Black Scintilla table lamp, designed in 1984 by Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte. The structure of this table lamp is made from grey die-cast anodized aluminium. In addition to ae...
Aluminum
H 22.5 in W 17.75 in D 11.75 in
Vintage Fontana Arte Glass and Brass Triangular Lamp
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage glass and brass Italian triangular Shaped Glass lamp attributed to Fontana Arte or in the style of. Unmarked. Shows good age dating to the mid-20th century. Style of Arredolu...
Glass
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Black for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in black for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Green for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in green for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
H 35.44 in Dm 13.78 in
Italian Green "Neverrino" Pendant Light by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Vistosi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Green "Neverrino" Pendant Light by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, 1970s Gorgeous "Neverrino" Glass Pendant Lamp in stunning green color, designed by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, Italy...
Murano Glass
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamps for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' table lamps for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Lamp Elettra Murano Glass by Gramigna for Artemide. Italy, 1970s
By Giuliana Gramigna, Artemide
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Table or bedside lamp model Elettra by the italian designer Giuliana Gramigna for the editor manufacture Artemide in white Murano glass, metal base white...
Metal
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
Pair of wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling wall spots in chromed metal with silver coloured reflectors designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. As described in a catalogue by...
Metal
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
Set of four wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of four swiveling wall spots in chromed metal with silver coloured reflectors designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. As described in a catalogu...
Metal
Pair of silver wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling spots made of chromed metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots or proj...
Metal, Aluminum
H 2.76 in W 78.74 in D 2.76 in
Space Age Postmodern Model Boalum Snake Floor Lamp by Livio & Gianfranco, 1970s
By Livio Castiglioni, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Boalum floor or table lamp by the Italian manufacturer Artemide based on a design by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini from 1970. A playful design and a classic of Itali...
Plastic
H 13.78 in Dm 9.85 in
Iconic Sistema Trepiù table lamp by G.Aulenti and L.Castiglioni for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
This striking adjustable spotlight lamp, presented here in its largest variant, is crafted entirely from chrome steel. Designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in 1...
Metal, Steel
Pair of grey wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling spots made of grey lacquered metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots ...
Metal, Aluminum
H 54.34 in W 18.51 in D 9.85 in
Livio Castiglioni & Gae Aulenti Trepiù floor lamp for Stilnovo - Italy, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
This rare floor lamp was the result of a formidable partnership between Italian designers Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni, who shared an instinct for graphic, Bauhaus-informed silh...
Chrome
H 55.91 in W 17.72 in D 11.42 in
Chrome floor lamp by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Floor lamp No. 6714 designed by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni and manufactured by Stilnovo, in the 1970s. In a Stilnovo catalogue from the 1970s this lamp had the following descri...
Metal, Aluminum
H 7.88 in Dm 6.7 in
Pair of wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair swiveling spots made of chromed metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots or project...
Metal, Aluminum
H 150 in Dm 2.5 in
'Boalum' Lamp by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide
By Artemide, Livio Castiglioni, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Boalum' Lamp by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide. Design and manufactured in the 1970s. And off-white and clear malleable special PVC casing is laced with an L...
Plastic, PVC
H 8.67 in Dm 12.6 in
Chrome Pendant By Gae Aulenti And Livio Castiglioni For Stilnovo, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Nice pair of chromed metal pendant lamps, designed by Gal Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, Italy 1960s. A timeless masterpiece of design collaboration between the renowned...
Chrome
H 77.96 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni Trepiù Floor Lamp for Stilnovo, Italy 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Midcentury "Sistema Trepiù" floor lamp designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni and produced by Stilnovo in Italy in 1972. The lamp has 4 ...
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum