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.
'Omega' Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy, 1960
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Hagenbach, DE
The iconic “Omega” flush mount, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in Italy around 1960, is a masterful example of Italian modernist lighting. Defined by its sculptural, layer...
Metal
$2,561Sale Price|35% Off
Triteti Ceiling or Wall Flush Fixture, Artemide, Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1969
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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 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
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, Vico Magistretti, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini
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
"Teti" Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
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
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 Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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
Pair of Wall Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, Italy, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
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 Vico Magistretti, Artemide
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
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
1960s Sergio Mazza Brass 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Lights for Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Sergio Mazza Brass 'Sigma' wall or ceiling light for Artemide. Executed in a rare polished brass frame and pressed opaline glass by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Italy, circa 19...
Brass
'Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The “Mania” sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, designed and manufactured in Italy circa the 1960s, exemplifies the refined simplicity and thoughtful geometry of mid‑century Ita...
Brass
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
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
$345 / item
H 5.375 in Dm 5.5 in
Small Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 14' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide
By Artemide, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Demi Clio' Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Artemide Executed in nickeled brass and delicate opaline glass, Italy, circa 1960s. Clean and architectural, these hardwired ...
Brass, Nickel
'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
Pair of 1960s Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Lights for Artemide
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' wall or ceiling lights for Artemide, 1960s. Executed in nickeled brass and pressed opaline glass by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Italy, circa 1960s. Each light has been professionally rewired for US electrical and accommodates two standard e27 60 watt max bulbs. Price is per pair. One pair available. Born in Italy in 1931, Sergio Mazza created numerous iconic designs for Artemide throughout the 1960s, from a range of lighting to fiberglass molded...
Brass, Nickel
Sergio Mazza Ceiling or Wall Light for Artemide, Chrome & Glass, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sergio Mazza Ceiling or Wall Light for Artemide, Chrome & Glass, 1960s A minimalist Italian design executed in chrome, white painted metal and pressed (holophane) glass. The ribbed ...
Aluminum, Chrome
$1,180
H 5.91 in Dm 10.63 in
Sergio Mazza Italian "Sigma" Wall Lamp or Ceiling Light for Artemide, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century Modern "Sigma" nickel-plated brass and Murano glass wall lamp. Sergio Mazza designed this elegant ceiling lamp in Italy during the 1960s for Artemide. Fully or...
Brass, Nickel, Metal
Large Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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...
Metal
$6,620 / set
H 9.45 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Vintage “Lambda” Wall Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Refined pair of “Lambda” wall sconces designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in the 1970s, showcasing the designer’s signature blend of sculptural clarity and functional elegance....
Metal
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
'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 Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Cirene chandeliers by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Vico Magistretti's 1960 Cirene chandeliers for Artemide are revolutionary works of design that embody the elegance and innovation of their time. Featuring clean, geometric lines, the...
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
"Teti" Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 2 Available
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
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 Vico Magistretti, Artemide
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 Vico Magistretti, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Artemide
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 Vico Magistretti, Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Artemide
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