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.
Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light, Italy circa 1960s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti fro Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light Designed and made in Italy in 1960s Can be used as ceiling light or wall light. Take 3 medium base bulbs each. Complimen...
Plastic
"Teti" Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 18 Available
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage midcentury Italian "teti" wall light with black thermoplastic body, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide / Made in Italy, circa 1970s Original mark on the lamp body Meas...
Plastic
Set of 18 "Teti" Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage midcentury Italian "teti" wall light with black thermoplastic body, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide / Made in Italy, circa 1970s Original mark on the lamp body Meas...
Plastic
Omega Flush Mount Lights by Vico Magistretti, Italy circa 1960
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Culver City, CA
Italy, 1960 Omega flush mount with white glass, produced by Artemide. 19"dia x 10”h Ref. L5210 $ 3,200 ea ( 2 avail )
Glass
Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light, Italy circa 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti fro Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light Designed and made in Italy in 1960s Can be used as ceiling light or wall light. Take 3 medium base bulbs each. Complimen...
Plastic
$3,300Sale Price|25% Off
Red Triteti Flush Fixture, Ceiling or Wall, Vico Magistretti, Artemide, 1967
By Artemide, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red Triteti flush fixture, Ceiling or Wall, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1967. Triteti was designed by Vico Magistretti and Claudio Dini for Artemide in 1967. This iconic design ca...
Plastic
$3,152Sale Price|20% Off
Triteti Ceiling or Wall Flush Fixture, Artemide, Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1969
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Triteti Ceiling or Wall Flush Fixture, Artemide, Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1967. Iconic white Triteti flush fixture, ceiling or wall, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1967. Triteti was...
Plastic
Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light, Italy circa 1960s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti fro Artemide "Triteti" ceiling or wall light Designed and made in Italy in 1960s Can be used as ceiling light or wall light. Take 3 medium base bulbs each. Complimen...
Plastic
Rare 'Omega' Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy, 1960
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This impressive and rare flush mount, model ‘Omega,’ was designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Vico Magistretti for Artemide in the 1960s. The large, sculptural sha...
Metal
White Ivory Plastic Wall or Ceiling Teti Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This lamp is composed by 3 single Teti lamps, joined together by an aluminum structure. It can be used as a ceiling lamp, wall lamp or mirror lamp as well. It remains in good conditi...
Aluminum
Pair of Wall Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This rare pair of wall lamps was designed by the renowned Italian designer Vico Magistretti for Oluce in the 1970s. Exemplifying Magistretti’s minimalist and functional aesthetic, th...
Metal
Black Ivory Plastic Wall or Ceiling Teti Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This lamp is composed by 4 single Teti lamps, joined together by an aluminum structure. It can be used as a ceiling lamp, wall lamp or mirror lamp as well. i...
Aluminum
$836
H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 4.73 in
Italian mid-century modern wall lamp Mania Vico Magistretti Artemide, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wall lamp Mania Vico Magistretti Artemide, 1960s Wall lamp model Mania in opaline glass. The diffuser is composed of two hemispherical elements. The struct...
Brass, Metal
Large Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' wall or ceiling light for Artemide, 1960s. Executed in nickeled brass and pressed Opaline glass by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Italy, circa 1960s. Born in...
Brass, Nickel
$345 / item
H 5.375 in Dm 5.5 in
Small Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 14' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 14' wall or ceiling light for Artemide. The Dioscuri is a timeless fixture. Executed in handblown frosted and etched glass for soft light diffusio...
Steel
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Demi Clio' Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Demi Clio' wall or ceiling lamp for Artemide. Executed in nickeled brass and opaline glass, Italy, circa 1960s. Clean and architectural, these hardwired lamps emi...
Nickel, Brass
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Three Mid-Century Modern wall or ceiling lights designed by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, circa 1960s, executed in nickelled brass and pressed glass.
Brass
Murano Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy circa 1960s
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murano glass flush mount ceiling light. Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Glass, metal. Takes three candelabra bulbs. Rewired for US. FREE US rewiring upon request. FREE US Conti...
Metal
'Grande Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Grande 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....
Brass, Aluminum
Murano Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy circa 1960s
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murano glass flush mount ceiling light. Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Hand blown Murano graniglia glass, enameled metal Takes two candelabra...
Metal
Murano flush mount ceiling light, Italy circa 1960s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murano glass flush mount ceiling light. Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Graniglia glass, brass. Takes four candelabra bulbs. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. FREE US rew...
Metal
$1,850
H 5.75 in Dm 14.75 in
Large 1960s Sergio Mazza Glass and Metal Ceiling or Wall Lamp for Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Sergio Mazza ceiling or wall light for Artemide. A Minimalist Italian design executed in chrome, white painted metal and pressed glass. Born in Italy in 1931, Sergio Mazza cre...
Aluminum, Chrome
Vico Magistretti, Wall Lights, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white opaline glass and brass wall lights, model Mania, designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide, Italy, 1960s. Some staining to backplate. Wear consistent wi...
Brass
Vico Magistretti Omega Opal Glass Pendant Lamps, Italy, 1960
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Vico Magistretti Pendant Lamps 'Omega' for Artemide, 1960 Large pair of opal glass suspension lights with nickeled brass frames from the sought-after Eptaclinio line from Ma...
Brass, Nickel
'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 diffusers. Enameled metal frame. Re...
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...
Metal
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...
Metal
Sold
H 10.24 in Dm 15.36 in
Two Mid-Century Modern Omega Flush Mounts by Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Merida, Yucatan
' Omega ' flush mounts designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, circa 1960. The light consists of a white lacquered metal body, a large outer ring and a central sphere, both in opa...
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...
Metal
Lampadari Cirene di Vico Magistretti per Artemide, 1960
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
I lampadari Cirene di Vico Magistretti per Artemide, del 1960, sono opere di design rivoluzionarie che incarnano l'eleganza e l'innovazione del loro tempo. Caratterizzati da linee pu...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Flush Mount "Omega" for Artemide, XLarge
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti flush mount "Omega" for Artemide, XLarge. Rare and hard to find in this size. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1960s. Opaline Murano glass shade and metal frame...
Metal
Sold
H 9.45 in W 9.45 in D 3.55 in
Pair of Vico Magistretti "Mania" White Italian Glass Sconces for Artemide, 1960s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing set of two white glass wall lamps model "Mania". Vico Magistretti designed this astonishing pair of sconces in Italy in 1963 for an Artemide production. These pieces are u...
Metal
Sold
H 4 in W 12 in D 12 in
Black Triteti Flush Fixture, Ceiling or Wall, Vico Magistretti, Artemide, 1967
By Artemide, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black Triteti flush fixture, ceiling or wall, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1967. Triteti was designed by Vico Magistretti and Claudio Dini for Artemide in 1967. This iconic design ...
Plastic
Sold
H 4 in W 12 in D 12 in
Black Triteti Flush Fixture, Ceiling or Wall, Vico Magistretti, Artemide, 1967
By Artemide, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red Triteti flush fixture, ceiling or wall, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1967. Triteti was designed by Vico Magistretti and Claudio Dini for Artemide in 1967. This iconic design ca...
Plastic
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 5.52 in
White ivory Plastic Wall or Ceiling Teti Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This set is composed by 4 single Teti lamps: they can be used as a ceiling lamp, wall lamp or mirror lamp as well. They remain in very good condition.
Plastic
Sold
H 10.24 in Dm 15.36 in
6 Mid-Century Modern Omega Flush Mounts by Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Merida, Yucatan
' Omega ' flush mounts designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, circa 1960. The light consists of a white lacquered metal body, a large outer ring and a central sphere, both in opa...
Brass