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Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Italian, 1913-1968

In partnership with his brothers Livio (1911–79) and Achille (1918–2002), Milanese industrial designer and architect Pier Giacomo Castiglioni played a role in creating some of the most iconic furniture designs in the world, particularly those that originated in the realm of mid-century modern lighting. 

In the late 1930s, after graduating from the acclaimed Polytechnic University of Milan, Pier Giacomo opened a design studio with his brother Livio and likeminded architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni. Achille, also a graduate of Milan Polytechnic, joined the group after completing his studies in 1944. The era’s architects were encountering difficulty in their attempts to secure building commissions, so the group focused on designing practical everyday objects such as the Model 547, a tabletop radio for Phonola that was encased in Bakelite

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, while Achille’s Taraxacum hanging lamp — created for FLOS with sprayed plastic polymers originally intended for military use — as well as the Arco, Snoopy and Toio lamps, which were the result of the collaboration between Pier Giacomo and Achille, are milestones in modernist lighting design

Also for FLOS, Pier Giacomo and Achille created a series of metal frames that, wrapped in the polymer, became floor lamps (Gatto) or pendant lights (Viscontea and Taraxacum), all released in 1960. The Gatto floor lamp takes its name from the Italian word for “cat” and the inspiration for its aesthetic from lighting that George Nelson developed for legendary American furniture manufacturer Howard Miller during the 1940s. Around the same time, the designer Tobia Scarpa (son of the famed Italian architect Carlo Scarpa and one-half of the widely revered postmodern husband-and-wife design duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa) created a floor lamp called Fantasma (1961) using the polymers technique. FLOS continues to make the Castiglionis’ innovative pieces today.

In addition to their provocative lighting works, Pier Giacomo and Achille also created stereo systems, decorative objects, seating, tables and other items for the likes of Brionvega, Alessi, Zanotta, Kartell and more.

Find vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni floor lamps, table lamps, case pieces and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$2,610
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Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp
Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp
Arco Lamp
Arco Lamp
Snoopy Lamp
Snoopy Lamp
Early Snoopy Lamp in Carrara Marble by Castiglioni Italy
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early production Snoopy table lamp having a white Carrara marble base with black metal shade . A iconic form from 1967 designed by Achille & Pier Gialomo Castiglioni made in Italy ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Toio, Floor Lamp, Flos, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Toio A lacquered metal floor lamp. The half spherical bulb vertically supported with an hexagon shaped...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Metal

Arco Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo for Flos
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Chicago, IL
The Arco Lamp, an iconic piece of mid-century modern design, was conceived by Italian designers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962. This innovative and stylish floor lamp f...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Carrara Marble, Aluminum, Stainless Steel

Brionvega RR126 in Teak by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Italy, 1960s
By Brionvega, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible Brionvega RR126 radio in teak by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Italy 1960s. RR126 stereo system was designed in 1965 by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castigl...
Category

1960s Vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Teak

Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display stands...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Wood

Original First Edition ‘Snoopy’, Table Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo, 1967
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in London, GB
A rare original first edition ‘Snoopy’, table lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni For Flos c1967. Enamelled shade on marble base, all in superb condition, wired to UK standa...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Marble

Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the ...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Wood

Italian Modern White Metal Tfloor Lamps Toio by Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern White metal tFloor lamps Toio by Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Set of 3 floor lamps mod. Toio with diffuser for indirect light. The ...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Materials

Metal

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Creators Similar to Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

More Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Designs
Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp
Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp
Average Price
$1,988
Number Available
9
Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Styles
Modern
The idea of the readymade didn’t just upend the art world, it also provoked a wave of invention in design. This provocative spirit is alive and well in the Toio floor lamp, which sees an integration of automotive parts as well as everyday recreational gear. Along with their eldest brother, Livio, Pier Giacomo (1913–68) and Achille (1918–2002) Castiglioni were born in Milan and for a time, the three worked together in their own firm as architects and designers. While Livio departed the practic...
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Arco Lamp
Arco Lamp
Average Price
$3,284
Number Available
7
Arco Lamp
Materials
Marble, Metal, Stone, Aluminum, Carrara Marble, Stainless Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
It was a humble street light that inspired Achille Castiglioni (1918–2002) and his brother Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913–68) to design their Arco lamp. The two men, along with their eldest brother, Livio, were the sons of prominent Milanese sculptor Giannino Castiglioni, and all became trained architects. Achille graduated from the acclaimed Polytechnic University of Milan in 1944 and joined Pier Giacomo and Livio in the design studio they'd opened with Luigi Caccia Dominioni. With large arc...
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Snoopy Lamp
Snoopy Lamp
Average Price
$2,816
Number Available
5
Snoopy Lamp
Materials
Marble, Stone, Metal, Carrara Marble, Glass, Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Modern
With an oblong black head that sits atop a tilting white marble base, the Snoopy lamp’s shape playfully brings to mind the snout of the canine main character in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. The design, one of many innovative collaborations by the Italian brothers Achille (1918–2002) and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913–68), was introduced in 1967.After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1944, Achille joined the urban planning, architecture and industrial design s...
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Pier Giacomo Castiglioni furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Pier Giacomo Castiglioni furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Pier Giacomo Castiglioni furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 13 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 13 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Carlo Jensen, Brande Møbelfabrik, and Brande Møbelindustri. Prices for Pier Giacomo Castiglioni furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £898 and can go as high as £11,270, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £3,033.

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