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Vico Magistretti Furniture

Italian, 1920-2006

As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, “There is no excuse for bad design.” His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.

Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogers’s vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistretti’s first architectural designs is a “poetic” round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.

When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his father’s architectural firm. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.

In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassina’s luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.

Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistretti’s Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.

“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralunga’s slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italy’s Compasso d’Oro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.

Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.

Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Vico Magistretti
Dealer: 20TH CENTURY DESIGN
Dalu Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
This rare table lamp was designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian manufacture Artemide during the 1960s, it is one of 2 that we currently have in stock. The lamp is made from one main piece of white plastic. Dalù is one a wonderful expression of Magistretti’s design ethos and reflects his belief that beauty and everyday functionality should be equally important in the object. Vico Magistretti was born in Milan. He attended Parini High School before he enrolled in the Regio Politecnico Faculty of Architecture in Milan in the fall of 1939. In 1943-1944 he moved to Switzerland, where he attended several academic courses at the Champ Universitarie Italien in Lausanne. It was then that he spent time with Ernesto Nathan Rogers, who had a key influence on his intellectual education. In 1945 he returned to Milan, where he graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic University. He immediately started working for his father's company, the architect Piergiulio Magistretti, in via Conservatorio. The 1950s were a very busy and fruitful period for the young architect, who came up with many innovative ideas and very quickly became one of the most outstanding representatives of the third generation. Over the next few years he worked as a designer as well as an architect, creating furniture and objects that will always be classics of contemporary production. It was then that he was awarded the Golden Compass for the Eclisse lamp (1967).He then started working with important companies such as Artemide, Campeggi, Cassina, De Padova, Flou, Fontana Arte, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, Olivari, Oluce, Poggi, Schiffini Mobili Cucine and Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. His design works are in the permanent collection of MoMA - Museum of Modern Art in New York and in many other museums in America and Europe. In the field of architecture, it is worth mentioning his nomination as an honorary member of the Royal College of Art in London, where he was also a visiting professor. He also participated in exhibitions and conferences in Europe, Japan and the USA. Established in the 1960s, Artemide is one of the most famous lighting brands in the world. Known for its philosophy, The Human Light...
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

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Vico Magistretti 'Eclisse' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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Vico Magistretti 'Eclisse' table lamp in white for Artemide. Vico Magistretti Eclisse table lamp in white for Artemide. Designed in 1967, the auth...
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Vico Magistretti 'Eclisse' Table Lamp in Orange for Artemide
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Vico Magistretti 'Eclisse' table lamp in orange for Artemide. Designed in 1967, the authorized re-edition Eclisse is a bedside table, or wall-mounted (pin-up), lamp for direct and diffused incandescent lighting. Body in lacquered steel, featuring an incorporated rotatable shield executed in white lacquered steel, which allows for the eclipsing of the light source and the regulation of its light emission. On/off switch located on cord. Available to order in unlimited quantities in choice of polished white, polished orange, matte black, copper, gold, or mirrored finish. This listing is for the Eclisse table lamp...
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White Eclisse Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Italy
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Telegono Table Lamp By Vico Magistretti for Artemide
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A ‘Telegono’ table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in the 1960s. This sculptural lamp has a curved cream acrylic base with a rotating white acrylic demilune shade. Whe...
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Pair of Vico Magistretti Eclisse Table Lamps for Artemide
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Pair of eclisse lamps designed by Vico Magistretti in 1965 for Artemide
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1960s Dalù Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide 'NOT A REPLICA'
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1960s Original orange "Dalù" table lamp in ABS by Vico Magistretti for Artemide (NOT A REPLICA). Made in Italy in 1965. The lamp works perfectly and it is in very good condition. Thi...
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Vico Magistretti for Artemide Chimera Floor Lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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Designer floor lamp from the 1970s, created by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. The "Chimera" model is made of methacrylate and white lacquered metal . An iconic piece that can add st...
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Eclisse Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
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1970 Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Perpignan, FR
Lampe de table originale Telegono de Vico Magistretti pour Artemide 1968. En bon état d'origine. Ce classique italien a un cadre jaune crème et un abat-jour mobile en orange qui ti...
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1970 Vico Magistretti
1970 Vico Magistretti
H 15.75 in Dm 8.27 in
Mid-century Vintage Red Dalù Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This rare table lamp was designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian manufacture Artemide during the 1960s. The lamp is made of red plastic. Dalù is one of the best designs to reflect the strict style of the great artist, who placed beauty and everyday use on the same level. Vico Magistretti was born in Milan. He attended Parini High School before enrolled in the Regio Politecnico Faculty of Architecture in Milan in the fall of 1939. In 1943-1944 he moved to Switzerland, where he attended several academic courses at the Champ Universitarie Italien in Lausanne. It was then that he spent time with Ernesto Nathan Rogers, who had a key influence on his intellectual education. In 1945 he returned to Milan, where he graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic University. He immediately started working for his father's company, the architect Piergiulio Magistretti, in via Conservatorio. The 1950s were a very busy and fruitful period for the young architect, who came up with many innovative ideas and very quickly became one of the most outstanding representatives of the third generation. Over the next few years he worked as a designer as well as an architect, creating furniture and objects that will always be classics of contemporary production. It was then that he was awarded the Golden Compass for the Eclisse lamp...
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1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

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Plastic

Vico Magistretti "Dalu" Lamp Artemide C.1960'S
By Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
An early example of a Vico Magistretti "Dalu" white desk/table lamp designed in 1965. An early production showing the cable management spring and bulb...
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Previously Available Items
Dalu Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
This rare table lamp was designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian manufacture Artemide during the 1960s, it is one of 2 that we currently have in stock. The lamp is made from one...
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Plastic

Pair of Red Vicario Lounge Chairs Design by Vico Magistretti Made by Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in London, GB
A pair of original armchairs or lounge chairs named "Vicario" in a deep red plastic by renowned Italian Designer Vico Magistretti from 1969. Manufactured by Artemide. Stamped to base...
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1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

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Red Acrylic Coffee Table by Vico Magistretti and Manufactured by Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
A deep red plastic/acrylic coffee table by renowned Italian Designer Vico Magistretti from 1969. Manufactured by Artemide. Stamped to base with makers mark, a very stylish and simple...
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1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

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Red Original Lounge Chair Vicario Designed by Vico Magistretti Made by Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
One original armchair/ lounge chairs named "Vicario" in a deep red plastic by renowned Italian Designer Vico Magistretti from 1969. Manufactured by Artemide. Stamped to base with mak...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

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Vico Magistretti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Vico Magistretti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 434 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 156 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Vico Magistretti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Joe Colombo, Carlo Nason, and Gaetano Sciolari. Prices for Vico Magistretti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $125 and can go as high as $33,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,860.
Questions About Vico Magistretti Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Carimate chair for Cassina is one of the most celebrated pieces of Vico Magistretti but this designer is also well known for the Eclipse Table Lamp, Selene Stacking Chair, Chimera Lamp and more. He is seen as one of Italy’s most influential industrial designers, furniture designers and architects. Shop a collection of Magistretti furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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