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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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Number in Set: Set of 5
Creator: Vico Magistretti
Set of 6 "122" Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Argelato, BO
An authentic icon of Made in Italy and of the best applied design, the 122 chairs are the work of the famous architect and designer Vico Magistretti. Comfortable and very elegant, i...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

Cassina walnut chair Mod. 122 by Vico Magistretti Italy 60s (six available)
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Sacile, PN
Cassina walnut chair Mod. 122 by Vico Magistretti Italy 60s (six available) The Model 122 chairs are a creation of the famous Italian designer Vico Ma...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Vico Magistretti Maralunga Sofa for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berlin, DE
The two-seater is available in 166cm or 190cm width. The three-seater is available in 238cm or 274cm width. The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. Cassin...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Vico Magistretti Maralunga 40 Maxi Sofa for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berlin, DE
The two-seater is available in 204cm or 214cm width. The three-seater is available in 300cm or 310cm width. The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. The ic...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

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

Vico Magistretti Maralunga 40S Sofa for Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berlin, DE
The two-seater is available in 156cm oder 166cm width. The three-seater is available in 228 or 238cm width. The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. In 201...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Vico Magistretti Golem Chair, A LOT OF Brasil Collection, Brazil, 2013
By Vico Magistretti
Located in São Paulo, BR
The Golem chair by designer Vico Magistretti is a high quality piece of art design by A LOT OF Brasil. Produced in wood with a finish that can be in mahog...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vico Magistretti 905 Armchair by Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair model 905 designed by Vico Magistretti in 1964. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A modern chair with a cultural heritage, expression of the creative genius of Vico Magi...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

Vico Magistretti 905 Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair model 905 designed by Vico Magistretti in 1964. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A modern chair with a cultural heritage, expression of the creative genius of Vico Magistretti who designed it in 1964. 905 is an elegant chair made of solid wood and cowhide, where design translates to practical simplicity. Produced by Cassina until 2000, this chair has now been relaunched, the finishes and details having been updated from the original archive model. The sophisticated elegance of the frame, which features cylindrical legs and curved arm-rests, has been rejuvenated thanks to Cassina’s extensive experience in handling leather, not to mention the company’s high quality carpentry skills. The complex nature of this piece is expressed in a design that looks simple but fully reflects the genius quality of the original concept, a veritable masterpiece of the crafts tradition proper to Meda, in the Brianza area north of Milan, the trademark registered by Cassina and a guarantee of utmost quality. The frame, in finest quality wood, bespeaks the perfect combination of the artisanal tradition and premier CNC technology, while the overall design stands out for the self-supporting seat crafted from one single piece of saddle leather, curved and slotted into the frame. The decorative stitching has been discontinued, while the rear of the chair still features the leather belt that lends support to the back and enhances its comfort quotient. The 905 chair features a solid wood structure with cylindrical legs and curved armrests, joined to a self-supporting cowhide seat, the quintessential expression of the time-tested experience of the Cassina joinery and saddlery. A masterpiece of complexity, this cowhide chair symbolizes the company’s talent at perfectly blending traditional artisan craftsmanship and the cutting-edge technology of latest-generation 5-axis CNC machines. Important information regarding images of products: Please note that some of the images show other colors and variations of the model, these images are only to present interior design proposals. The item that is selling is on the first image. Important information regarding color(s) of products: Actual colors may vary. This is due to the fact that every computer monitor, laptop, tablet and phone screen has a different capability to display colors and that everyone sees these colors differently. We try to edit our photos to show all of our products as life-like as possible, but please understand the actual color may vary slightly from your monitor About the designer: In 1920 Magistretti was born in Milan, the city in which he graduated in architecture in 1945, and where his professional career has spun its story ever since, chiefly in the fields of architecture, town planning and industrial design. The first recognition of his work came in 1948, when he won the Gran Premio at the 8th Triennale. After that came almost forty years of activity with other prizes and awards in recognition of Magistretti’s work in various sectors in different countries. Giving lessons and lectures in various faculties of architecture and schools of design in Italy and abroad, from Milan to New York, from Paris to London, a city to which he is particularly devoted, he has been an “Honorary Fellow” of the Royal College of Art since 1983. Furniture, lamps and other objects that he designed may be found all over the world and the most important design museums have given exhibitions in his honour and kept examples of his work in their permanent collections. Magistretti’s research has been continuous - into design, the culture of the project and innovative experimentation with materials and space solutions, not to mention shapes and functions far from the rigours of fashion that they have passed through during the years. He started designing for Cassina in 1960, and from that date on his signature is to be found on very many products. We recall in particular the Maralunga sofa of 1973 and the Nuvola Rossa...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

Vico Magistretti 905 Armchair by Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair model 905 designed by Vico Magistretti in 1964. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A modern chair with a cultural heritage, expression of the creative genius of Vico Magistretti who designed it in 1964. 905 is an elegant chair made of solid wood and cowhide, where design translates to practical simplicity. Produced by Cassina until 2000, this chair has now been relaunched, the finishes and details having been updated from the original archive model. The sophisticated elegance of the frame, which features cylindrical legs and curved arm-rests, has been rejuvenated thanks to Cassina’s extensive experience in handling leather, not to mention the company’s high quality carpentry skills. The complex nature of this piece is expressed in a design that looks simple but fully reflects the genius quality of the original concept, a veritable masterpiece of the crafts tradition proper to Meda, in the Brianza area north of Milan, the trademark registered by Cassina and a guarantee of utmost quality. The frame, in finest quality wood, bespeaks the perfect combination of the artisanal tradition and premier CNC technology, while the overall design stands out for the self-supporting seat crafted from one single piece of saddle leather, curved and slotted into the frame. The decorative stitching has been discontinued, while the rear of the chair still features the leather belt that lends support to the back and enhances its comfort quotient. The 905 chair...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

Vico Magistretti 905 Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair model 905 designed by Vico Magistretti in 1964. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A modern chair with a cultural heritage, expression of the creative genius of Vico Magistretti who designed it in 1964. 905 is an elegant chair made of solid wood and cowhide, where design translates to practical simplicity. Produced by Cassina until 2000, this chair has now been relaunched, the finishes and details having been updated from the original archive model. The sophisticated elegance of the frame, which features cylindrical legs and curved arm-rests, has been rejuvenated thanks to Cassina’s extensive experience in handling leather, not to mention the company’s high quality carpentry skills. The complex nature of this piece is expressed in a design that looks simple but fully reflects the genius quality of the original concept, a veritable masterpiece of the crafts tradition proper to Meda, in the Brianza area north of Milan, the trademark registered by Cassina and a guarantee of utmost quality. The frame, in finest quality wood, bespeaks the perfect combination of the artisanal tradition and premier CNC technology, while the overall design stands out for the self-supporting seat crafted from one single piece of saddle leather, curved and slotted into the frame. The decorative stitching has been discontinued, while the rear of the chair still features the leather belt that lends support to the back and enhances its comfort quotient. The 905 chair features a solid wood structure with cylindrical legs and curved armrests, joined to a self-supporting cowhide seat, the quintessential expression of the time-tested experience of the Cassina joinery and saddlery. A masterpiece of complexity, this cowhide chair symbolizes the company’s talent at perfectly blending traditional artisan craftsmanship and the cutting-edge technology of latest-generation 5-axis CNC machines. Important information regarding images of products: Please note that some of the images show other colors and variations of the model, these images are only to present interior design proposals. The item that is selling is on the first image. Important information regarding color(s) of products: Actual colors may vary. This is due to the fact that every computer monitor, laptop, tablet and phone screen has a different capability to display colors and that everyone sees these colors differently. We try to edit our photos to show all of our products as life-like as possible, but please understand the actual color may vary slightly from your monitor About the designer: In 1920 Magistretti was born in Milan, the city in which he graduated in architecture in 1945, and where his professional career has spun its story ever since, chiefly in the fields of architecture, town planning and industrial design. The first recognition of his work came in 1948, when he won the Gran Premio at the 8th Triennale. After that came almost forty years of activity with other prizes and awards in recognition of Magistretti’s work in various sectors in different countries. Giving lessons and lectures in various faculties of architecture and schools of design in Italy and abroad, from Milan to New York, from Paris to London, a city to which he is particularly devoted, he has been an “Honorary Fellow” of the Royal College of Art since 1983. Furniture, lamps and other objects that he designed may be found all over the world and the most important design museums have given exhibitions in his honour and kept examples of his work in their permanent collections. Magistretti’s research has been continuous - into design, the culture of the project and innovative experimentation with materials and space solutions, not to mention shapes and functions far from the rigours of fashion that they have passed through during the years. He started designing for Cassina in 1960, and from that date on his signature is to be found on very many products. We recall in particular the Maralunga sofa of 1973 and the Nuvola Rossa...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

Vico Magisretti 'Maralunga' Suite of Sofas and Armchairs for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti
Located in London, GB
A suite of sofas and armchairs by Italian Designer Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Italy, designed in 1970s, this model likely c1990-2000s. Original leather, which has some signs of light aging but remains in good condition. A unique headrest solution from the designer to these chairs is that it can be 'unfurled' to a taller position for comfort. Price is for the set. Two three...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Leather

Vico Magistretti Model Vm111 Vico Duo
By Fritz Hansen, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Vico Duo is a stylish veneer stacking chair by Vico Magistretti that is versatile and perfectly suited for agile workspace and hospitality design. The ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Oak

Vico Magistretti Model Vm110 Vico Duo
By Fritz Hansen, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Vico Duo is a stylish veneer stacking chair by Vico Magistretti that is versatile and perfectly suited for agile workspace and hospitality design. Frit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Oak

1960s "896" Vico Magistretti Cassina Italian Design Armchair
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Brescia, IT
Ice white leatherette and wood legs Rare model Excellent condiction.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating

Materials

Wood

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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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