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.
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...
Crystal, Brass, Chrome, Nickel
Vico Magistretti Grande Mania Sconce, Murano Glass, Brass, 1960s Italy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti sconce "Grande Mania", Large Made in Italy, 1960s. Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame. An earlier version made with glass (not ...
Metal
Single large 'Grande Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Single large 'Grande Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Gorgeous glass wall sconce called "Grande Mania" in the shape of a mushroom, designed by Vico Magistretti in 19...
Metal, Brass
'Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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
"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
"Mania" Sconce by Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Mania" wall light with white opaline polycarbonate shades mounted on white metal frame / Made in Italy, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, circa 1960s Height...
Acrylic
Vico Magistretti Outdoor Wall Lamp 'Lyndon' Medium by Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Lyndon' designed by Vico Magistretti in 1980. Outside wall lamp. Zinc-plated and black lacquered metal structure, globes in transparent po...
Metal
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
'Grande Mania' Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
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
'Mania' Model Single Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s, Italy
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Hagenbach, DE
'Mania' Model Single Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s, Italy Very nice high quality wall lamp. Lamp is in very good vintage condition. This lamp work with 2x E27 ...
Metal
Vico Magistretti, Wall Lights, Acrylic, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in High Point, NC
A white acrylic wall light, model Mania, designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide, Italy, 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9.0"H x...
Acrylic
Italian mid-century modern wall lamp Mania Vico Magistretti Artemide, 1960s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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 'Grande Mania' Wall Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Large 'Grande Mania' Wall Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Large version of glass wall sconce called "Grande Mania" in the shape of a mushroom, designed by Vico Magistretti ...
Metal, Brass
Vico Magistretti for Artemide "Manai" Glass Brass Wall Lights, Italy 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design sconces or wall lamps model Mania designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in 1963 with Murano white glass models and brass detail with Murano Glass...
Brass
Pair of Lambda wall lamps in metal & glass by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 60s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A pair of Lambda wall lamps in metal and glass, designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Artemide in 1961. The wall lamp features two softly rounded, shield-shaped diffusers...
Metal
Pair of Vintage “Lambda” Wall Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
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
'Clinio' Wall Lights by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
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...
Brass, Nickel
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 ...
Metal
Migale Pair of Sconces or Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, 1960, Italy
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Migale Pair of Sconces or Flush Mount by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, 1960, Italy Large Minimalist and rare design. Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works ...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Sconces "Grande Mania" in Glass, circa 1960s Large
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, 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...
Metal
Rare Set of two Glass and brass Mania sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide.
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition with normal trace of age and use for this set of two rare Artemide Mania in white Murano Glass. Designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide and produced in Italy...
Brass
Vico Magistretti Sconce "Grande Mania" in Glass, circa 1960s Large
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti sconce "Grande Mania", Large Made in Italy, 1960s. Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame. An earlier version made with glass (not ...
Metal
Set of Four Mania Wall Sconces by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
A rare and striking set of four Mania wall sconces designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy. These sculptural fixtures exemplify Magistretti’s mastery of reducing form to ess...
Plexiglass
Adam wall lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, 1975
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Athens, Attiki
Rare wall lamp produced by O-luce designed by Vico Magistretti in 1975. Wall lamp model Adim in chrome steel and painted white metal. It was born in 1975, based on the Dim model, to ...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Vico Magistretti Grande Mania wall lamp
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mania wall lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in Italy, designed in 1963, model with white Murano opal glass, 60s. This glass version stands out for its bold and contemp...
Murano Glass
Vico Magistretti Sconce "Mania" in Glass, Italy circa 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti wall lamp "Mania" Made in Italy, 1960s. Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame. An earlier version made with glass (not acrylic) an...
Metal
Set of 2 'Mania' wall lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 2 "Mania" wall lamps in white glass and metal by Vico Magistretti. "Mania" is one of the first lamps designed by Vico Magistretti, presented at the XIII Triennale di Milano (1...
Brass
Ronda wall lamp Oluce Vico Magistretti 80s style
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Postmodern style Lamp "Ronda" wall lamp. Silver painted model. Designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Unused condition. Light source E27 light bulbs. Using with 100-120V Able to ...
Steel
"Mania" Sconce by Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian "Mania" wall light with white opaline polycarbonate shades mounted on white metal frame / Made in Italy, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, circa 1960s Height...
Acrylic
Vico Magistretti Sconces "Mania" in Glass, circa 1960s a pair
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vico Magistretti wall lamps "Mania", a pair Made in Italy, 1960s. Two shells in Murano opaline glass, brass hardware, enameled metal frame. An earlier version made with glass (not ...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Pair of Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Milan, IT
Vico Magistretti Pair of indoor or outdoor Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
Metal
Single Omicron Sconce by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Hanover, MA
This is ONE sconce. Not a pair. This single wall or shelf mounted lamp was designed by Vico Magistretti in 1961 for Artemide and called the Omicron. The glass is textured inside sim...
Brass
Pair of Kuta wall lamps by Vico Magistretti for O-Luce, 1980s
By O-Luce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of Kuta wall lamps by Vico Magistretti for O-Luce, designed in the 1970s and manufactured in the 1980s. The lamp is designed for indirect lighting. It consists of a white-paint...
Metal
“Triteti” wall lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide , 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Padova, IT
Ludovico "Vico" Magistretti (Milan, 6 October 1920 - Milan, 19 September 2006) was one of the most important Italian designers, architect and urban planner. His clean and essential d...
Plastic
Set of 2 'Mania' wall lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 2 "Mania" wall lamps in white glass and metal by Vico Magistretti. "Mania" is one of the first lamps designed by Vico Magistretti, presented at the XIII Triennale di Milano (1...
Brass
Vico Magistretti "Omega" Wall Lights for Artemide, 1962, Set of 2
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Omega" Wall Lights for Artemide, glass and iron, Italy, 1962, set of 2. The Alpha and the Omega, a linear start with a flashing warm expression of light, captures ...
Metal
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
Vico Magistretti "Omega" Wall Light for Artemide, 1962
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Omega" Wall Light for Artemide, glass and iron, Italy, 1962. The Alpha and the Omega, a linear start with a flashing warm expression of light, captures the essence...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Idomeneo Bed Light Oluce, Italy, 1985
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Idomeneo 120 bed reading light designed by Vico Magistretti, manufactured by Oluce Italy 1985. This is a fantastic wall lamp great as a bed reading light because of the two full...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Outdoor Wall Lamp 'Lyndon' Large by Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Lyndon' designed by Vico Magistretti in 1980. Outside wall lamp. Zinc-plated and black lacquered metal structure, globes in transparent p...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Outdoor Wall Lamp 'Lyndon' Medium by Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Lyndon' designed by Vico Magistretti in 1980. Outside wall lamp. Zinc-plated and black lacquered metal structure, globes in transparent polycarbonate. Manufactured by Oluc...
Metal
White 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 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 Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Model Clinio, Opaline Sconces
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Vico Magistretti for Artremide wall sconces. Made in Italy, early production circa 1961. Nickel-plated frame and opaline round glass Restored and US rewired, new 100 watt ...
Nickel
Nemo Kuta Wall Lamp in Chrome/White-Black by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wall lamp with an aluminum circular reflector which shields the lighting distribution, giving the effect of a solar eclipse. The circular screen is painted in white and black, the st...
Aluminum
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
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,...
Aluminum, Chrome
Vico Magistretti Grande Mania wall lamp, set of 3
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 3 small Mania wall lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in Italy, designed in 1963, model with white Murano opal glass, 60s. This glass version stands out for its b...
Murano Glass