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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Creator: Vico Magistretti
Set of 4 Vintage 'Selene' Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of four vintage 'Selene' chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide, Italy.
Single piece construction chair that comes from a pressure mold of polyester resin ...
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Carimate Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1959 Italy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District
A modern classic, the set of six ‘Carimate’ chairs, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1959, epitomizes midcentury Italian design with its elegant simplicity and functional beauty. Orig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Rush, Beech
Italian modern black wood fabric chairs Golem Vico Magistretti Poggi, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Poggi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood and fabric chairs Golem by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, 1970s
Pair of chairs model Golem with rounded seat, covered in yellow fabric. The structure is in bla...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Italian modern plastic red Chairs Selene by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern plastic red Chairs mod. Selene by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s
Set of 4 iconic chairs mod. Selene in dark red-burgund...
Category
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Magistretti Carimate Full Gloss Dining Chair Hand-Finished with Custom Seatpads
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Cheltenham, GB
The much-adored Carimate Chair, coveted amongst Magistretti collectors, is a sophisticated addition to any dining table setting. They were originally crafted for the Carimate golf cl...
Category
1960s British Scandinavian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Cotton, Linen, Oak
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
$448 / item
Cassina Portovenere sofa Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Београд, RS
Portovenere Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
Original Portovenere sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, produced in Italy during the 1980s. The piece is characte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Vico Magistretti Set of Nine Red Selene Chairs by Heller 2002s
By Vico Magistretti, Heller
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Set of nine Selene stackable chairs in red polyester reinforced with fiberglass, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1967 and produced by Heller in 2002.
The Selene chair was designed in 1967 by Magistretti to be produced in a plastic material, as he affirmed: "The seat and the back are simple curved surfaces. For me, the legs represented the real image of the piece, with as small a volume as that of any common wooden chair. I solved it by exploiting the molding of a plastic material formed by a simple 3-millimeter-thick sheet with a simple but very resistant "S" cross-section which inter-related the object with ordinary chairs without however the elephant legs so untypical of chairs. It was fun working with the model maker on the wood model." When produced in series, "a unit comes out of the machine every five minutes": Selene is the fruit of a single compression molding process on a pre-impregnated sheet (Ottagono 15 / 1969). Magistretti solves the problem of leg resistance by adopting an "S-shaped" configuration that confers resistance to a sheet only 3 millimeters thick. The formal and structural solution had already been previously adopted for the Chimera lamp (a self-supporting methacrylate sheet) and in developing the legs of the Demetrio table...
Category
Early 2000s European Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Vico Magistretti Cardigan Sofa for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully tailored 'Cardigan' sofa in grey leather designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
Category
1970s Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Gaudi Brown Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The chairs are named "Gaudi" after the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, and their curvaceous forms and organic lines reflect the influence of Gaudi's style.
The chairs are mad...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
CIRENE 03 OFFICE DESK ARMCHAIR DESiGNED BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR DE PADOVA
By Vico Magistretti
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Vico Magistretti Cirene 03 bent Ash office desk chair made for De Padova
Please note the delivery fee...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Ash
$834 Sale Price
20% Off
'Carimate' Lounge Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, c 1963, Signed
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming and iconic pair of 'Carimate' lounge chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina in Italy, circa 1963. Signed with Cassina stamp to chair frames.
*Price...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Rush
Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italian 'Carimate' Wooden Dining Armchair
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century 'Carimate' dining armchair with a solid blonde wood frame, scooped arms, an open back, and a black woven fabric upholstered seat. (VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR CASSINA).
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Set of 2 white plastic armchairs "Vicario" model by V. Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Padova, IT
The Vicario armchair was designed by Vico Magistretti at the end of the 1960s for Artemide. In production from 1970 until the mid-1970s.
Made of ABS plastic, this armchair is characterized by fluid shapes and a perfect relationship between design, functionality and comfort.
An icon of Italian design in a futuristic style, it was used in the TV series "Spazio 1999" and is currently exhibited in the largest museums in the world including the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York and the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs De Montreal in Canada.
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 design has characterized and inspired the world of creating furniture for the home, office and company throughout the second part of the twentieth century.
The legendary Italian lighting company Artemide was founded in the province of Milan in 1959 by the designer and engineer Ernesto Gismondi, born in Sanremo in 1931, and by the designer Sergio Mazza, born in Milan in 1931. As is known, it was the latter who designing the Alfa Lamp...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Set of Four SD51 "Golem" Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti, Poggi
Located in Argelato, BO
The Golem chair, with a high backrest in lacquered wood, was born, as Magistretti states, from the desire to pay homage to the designer Mackintosh, after vis...
Category
1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Leather "Palmaria 709" 2-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy 1980
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in DE MEERN, NL
LEATHER "PALMARIA 709" 2-SEATER SOFA BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR CASSINA, ITALY 1970S
Introducing the timeless and iconic Palmaria 709 2-Seater Sofa, design...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Set of 2 Model 892 Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, c. 1960's
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Deland, FL
Add a touch of Italian mid-century modern elegance to your dining space with this set of two Model 892 chairs, designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Cassina i...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather, Beech
Space Age Vintage Two Duo Brown Plastic Armchairs Vico Magistretti 1968 Italy
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage two duo brown armchairs from plastic model Gaudi designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide 1968, Italy.
An iconic design armchair from plastic in chocolate brown co...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Model Regina of Africa Armchair by Vico Magistretti, ca. 1979
By Vico Magistretti
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Folding armchair model Regina d'Africa from the Broomstick Series, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1979, in an elegant black version.
This refined chair features a solid beechwood f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Beech
FOUR CIRENE 03 DINING ARMCHAIRS DESiGNED BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR DE PADOVA
By Vico Magistretti
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this suite of four Vico Magistretti Cirene 03 bent Ash dining chairs made for De Padova
Please note the de...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Ash
$3,169 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960 Set of 12
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of twelve.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Set of 4 Plywood School Chairs by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Toronto, CA
A set of 4 simple, stackable plywood chairs from designer Vico Magistretti. Use as desk and side chairs, or as a dining set. Cool but not too cool for school.
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Vico Magistretti “Carimate” Chairs for Cassina, Black Wood, 1960, set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four.
Vico Magistretti’s “Carimate 892/115” chair, crafted for Cassin...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Set of Vico Magistretti Lounge Chairs for Cassina Model 896, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this set of Model 896 lounge chairs designed by the celebrated Italian architect and designer Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Created in the 1960s, these chairs reflect ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Faux Leather
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 10
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, green lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of ten.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
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
$370 / item
Mid-Century Modern Two Seater in Bouclé Lacquered Wood Sofa Model "Carimate"
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Two Seater in Bouclé Lacquered Wood Sofa Model "Carimate"
Vico Magistretti (October 6, 1920 – September 19, 2006) was an Italian architect who was also active as ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 12
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, green lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of twelve.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 10
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of ten.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
2000s Set of Three Vico Magistretti for DePadova "Cirene" Armchair Ebonized Wood
By Knoll, Vico Magistretti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are a set of three Cirene stackable Ebonized chairs, originally designed by Vico Magistretti in 1999. These particular examples were produced by DePadova for Knoll in Italy. Th...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Steel
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 14
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, green lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of fourteen.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most fa...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 12
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of twelve.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 14
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of fourteen.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti & Per Skovholt, Elegant Comfi Senior Chair 'Mobi Chair, 2000
By Fredericia, Vico Magistretti
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach,...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
$5,282 Sale Price
44% Off
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.
Creators Similar to Vico Magistretti
Questions About Vico Magistretti Seating
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The 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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