Skip to main content

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.

to
2
13
9
4
12
9
4
6
3
6
1
2
13
8
6
5
4
13
11
2
13
9
9
394
81
45
32
30
Creator: Vico Magistretti
Dealer: rewire
Pair of 'Omicron’ Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Omicron' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1961. Industrial steel frame wall sconce with vertical height adjustment and two-par...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

'Clinio' Flush Mounts by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clinio Flush Mounts Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa 1960's. Opaline glass outer and inner diffusers. Enameled metal frame. Re...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Lambda Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pairs of 'Lambda' sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Milan, Italy circa the 1960s. Two pressed crystal glass diffusers are nestled together with a...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Chrome, Nickel

'Grande Mania' Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grande Mania Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Minimal half layered half sphere sconce made from d...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Pair of 'Mania' Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mania Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Minimal half layered half sphere sconce made from delicate opaline glass. Each sconce h...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass

'Clinio' Wall Lights by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Clinio' Wall Lights by Vico Magistretti for Artemide (IT, c.1961) Large opaline glass diffusers paired with brushed nickel armatures. Each light holds one E27 socket type, adapted f...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Atollo 239 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atollo lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, circa 1977. Designed by Magistretti in 1977, it was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. Early production with original textured matte ename...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Pascal Floor Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pascal floor lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Originally designed in Italy, 1983. Oluce's newest offering of this model comes ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rare Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare ceiling light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1980s. Striking contemporary piece. Three large sand...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

Kuta Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kuta table lamp by Vico Magistretti. Current production designed and manufactured in France by Nemo Lighting. Circular reflector in alum...
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Lyndon 160 Outdoor Wall Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lyndon outdoor wall light by Vico Magistretti. Current production by Oluce. Enameled metal, glass. Wired for U.S. standards. The Lyndon was originally designed in 1977 and developed ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Kuta Wall Light by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kuta wall light by Vico Magistretti. Current production designed and manufactured in France by Nemo Lighting. Circular reflector in aluminum, which shields the lighting distribution,...
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Model 321 'Idomedue' Floor Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 321 'Idomedue' Floor Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1980s. A dual spotlight floor lamp comprising a minimalistic tubular base...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Related Items
Vico Magistretti Sconces "Grande Mania" in Glass, circa 1960s Large
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vico Magistretti wall lamps "Grande Mania", a pair Large Made in Italy, 1960s. Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame. A...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

1961 Vico Magistretti 'Lambda' Wall Lamp for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Glendale, CA
1961 Vico Magistretti 'Lambda' wall light for Artemide. Executed in chromium-plated brass and pressed holophane glass. This architectural yet refined Italian wall lamp by Magistrett...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vico Magistretti "Lambda" sconces
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vico Magistretti "Lambda" sconces. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Glass, nickel plated brass and steel. 2 E12 sockets each. Complimentary US rewiring with custom nicke...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vico Magistretti "Lambda" sconces
Vico Magistretti "Lambda" sconces
H 9.75 in W 7 in D 6 in
Egina Flush Mount by Artemide
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian vintage wall light or flush mount with white sanded glass shade and clear glass lens on top / Designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Artemide circa 1970s / Made in Italy Original...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Egina Flush Mount by Artemide
Egina Flush Mount by Artemide
H 7.88 in Dm 11.82 in
Vico Magistretti Mania Sconces for Artemide, 1970
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

1960s 'Clinio' Glass Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s 'Clinio' Glass Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy by Magistretti for Artemide as part of the 'Clinio' series beginning in 1967. C...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Vico Magistretti, Wall Lights, Glass, Metal, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of metal and frosted glass wall lights designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide, Italy, c. 1960s. Dimensions of back plate (inches) : 3.875 x 1.8125 x 0.125 (H x...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian modern white plastic wall lamps Teti Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white plastic wall lamps Teti Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1970s Set of four wall lamps mod. Teti with round base in white plastic with black plastic interior. The st...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Vico Magistretti, Mania, A Pair of Wall Appliques, Artemide, 1964
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Paris, FR
Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) Mania A pair of white glass wall appliques, each made of two superimposed opaline glass shades of different size, mounted on a round white metal frame....
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Glass

Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Lambda" sconces
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vico Magistretti "Lambda" sconces. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Glass, nickel plated brass and steel. 2 E12 sockets each. Metal finish - polished nickel. Nickel plat...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vico Magistretti, Grande Mania, A Wall Applique, Artemide, 1964
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Paris, FR
Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) Grande Mania A white glass wall applique, made of two superimposed opaline glass shades of different size, mounted on a round white metal frame. Produc...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Glass

Previously Available Items
Atollo 239 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atollo lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, circa 1977. Designed by Magistretti in 1977, it was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. Early production with original textured matte ename...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Rare 'Omega' Wall Lights by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Omega' Wall Lights by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Rare wall lamps from the Omega collection featuring a brushed nickel a...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Single 'Clinio' Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Clinio Flush Mount Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa 1960 's. Opaline glass outer and inner diffuser. Enameled metal fra...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

'Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mania Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Minimal half layered half sphere sconce made from delicate...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass

'Akaari' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Akaari' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1980s. The Akaari pendant features three tiered glossy black diffusers. The bottom...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Porsenna Wall Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Porsenna' wall sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1977. The half-cone shade is made from a fibrous paper and provides a soft and consis...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of 'Erse' Table Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Erse' Table Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1964. The base and stem of the lamp is constructed of polished brass. External orbita...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass

'Clinio' Flush Mounts by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clinio Flush Mounts Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa 1960's. Opaline glass outer and inner d...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare 'Erse' Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Erse' Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1964. The base and stem of the lamp is constructed of polished brass. External orbital sh...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pairs of Lambda Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pairs of 'Lambda' sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Milan, Italy circa the 1960s. Two pressed crystal glass diffusers are nestled together with a...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Chrome, Nickel

Single Model 160 'Lyndon' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Model 160 'Lyndon' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1970s. Polished brass armatures which are vertically adjustable hold an ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Brass

Model 460 'Monet' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 460 'Monet' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1970s. A geometric contemporary pendant consisting of four flat circular ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

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.

Recently Viewed

View All