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Vico Magistretti Seating

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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Color:  Gray
Creator: Vico Magistretti
Italian Artemide Design Vico Magistretti 6 Chairs Model Selene
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. To lo...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Polyester

3-seater Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italy 1973
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in PARIS, FR
The Maralunga sofa was created in 1973 by Vico Magistretti for the Italian firm Cassina. Known for his creations using simple, essential forms and the use of innovative materials for...
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1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Faux Fur

Maralunga 3-seater in cream boucle by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in amstelveen, NL
This Maralunga sofa was designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973. This is an original version of the seventies. Reupholstered in a cream fluffy bouclé. With steel structure. ...
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1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Bouclé

Selene Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 8 Pcs
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Renens, CH
The Selene chair was designed by Vico Magistretti during the 1960s, and has been featured in the MoMA New York. Origination: Italy, 1960s. Produced by Ar...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Porto Venere Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Grey/blue striped original fabric wingback two seater sofa designed by Vico Magsitretti for Cassina. Very comfortable sofa thanks to the large backrests and adjustable side headre...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Leather Veranda Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage white leather veranda lounge chair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. The chair is adjustable in various way and has an ergonomic and timeless deisgn. Magistrett...
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1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather

Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italia Modern Veranda Lounge Chairs
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in New York, NY
Italian modern pair of Veranda lounge chairs designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. The pair has a metal frame and leather upholstery. Made dur...
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1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Aluminum Vico Magistretti for Kartell Bar or Counter Stools
By Vico Magistretti, Kartell
Located in Ferndale, MI
Four bar stools designed by Italian master Vico Magistretti for Kartell. Lightweight aluminum frames are powder coated supporting plastic seats with grab ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Vico Magistretti, Maralunga Three Seater Sofa for Cassina, Italian Modern, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Odense, DK
A fine version of the iconic Maralunga sofa in original vintage fabric. The overall impression of this three seater couch is really good. It will complementary any modern home inter...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Fabric

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Vico Magistretti seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Vico Magistretti seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 241 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 29 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Arflex, Joe Colombo, and Gio Ponti. Prices for Vico Magistretti seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $257 and can go as high as $33,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,525.
Questions About Vico Magistretti Seating
  • 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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