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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Period: 1980s
Creator: Vico Magistretti
Vico Magistretti “Veranda” Chairs, a pair
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s for Cassina, heavy patina - restoration available for a fee but we like them how they are
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Veranda Leather Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 80s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Bern, CH
Designer leather armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Original Cassina design classic in brown leather
Dimensions: depending on the setting approx. W: 90/D: 80/H: 76 cm
...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Vintage Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Legendary design icon sofa, the 'Maralunga' by Vico Magistretti and fabricated / produced by CASSINA is a quintessential piece of Italian design. Celebrated for it's legendary comfor...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Vico Magistretti for Cassina 'Villabianca' Armchair in Black Leather
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, dining chairs model 'Villabianca', leather and wood, Italy, 1985
Designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina, this armchair shows strong sha...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of Six Naturel "Carimate" Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
A Natural beautiful set of six Carimate model dining chairs by Vico Magistretti from the eighties in natural wood and rattan.Five chairs are in a perfect condition with signs of use ...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Italian Maui Pale Blue Side Dining Chair Vico Magistretti for Kartell - Set of 6
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: H 30.2" / W 18" / D 16.4" Height from floor to seat: 19.5" Back height: 15.8"
Highly desirable original set of 6 Italian MAUI Matte Pale Blue Side Dining Chairs designed...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Italian Maui Pale Blue Side Chairs Vico Magistretti for Kartell - Set of 12
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: H 30.2" / W 18" / D 16.4" Height from floor to seat: 19.5" Back height: 15.8"
Highly desirable original set of 12 Italian MAUI Matte Pale Blue Side Dining Chairs designe...
Category
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Vigo Magistretti for Cassina Sofa in Dark Grey Upholstery
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, two-seater sofa, model 'Veranda', fabric, aluminum, Italy, 1983.
Beautiful esthetically balanced two-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassi...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Gaudi Chair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Chicago, IL
Plastic frame, Made in Italy. Stackable.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Plastic
Palmaria Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Original leather with patina, made in Italy by Cassina.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Vigo Magistretti for Cassina 'Veranda' Sofa in Dark Grey Upholstery
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 'Veranda' sofa, fabric, lacquered steel, lacquered wood, Italy, 1983
Beautiful aesthetically balanced three-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti fo...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Steel
Set 4 Cassina VillaBianca chairs by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Montecchio Precalcino, VI
Rare set of 4 "VillaBianca" chairs design by italian master Vico Magistretti for luxury brand Cassina.
This Amazing set Is perfect for 80s lovers, Memphis style, plastic space age ro...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Polyester, Hardwood
Red "Poltovenere" Wingback Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in DE MEERN, NL
RED "POLTOVENERE" WINGBACK CHAIR BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR CASSINA, ITALY 1980S
Introducing the "PoltoVenere" wingback chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, a timeless classic...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Vico Magistretti Veranda Lounge Chair for Cassina, Italy, 1980s
By Vico Magistretti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Milan, IT
Veranda adjustable lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 1980.
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of 2 Red & Black Veranda Lounge Chairs by Vico Magistretti Per Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Carpi, IT
The "Veranda" lounge chair, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in the 1980s, is a true icon of modern design. This chair features an adjustable internal steel structure that al...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Leather "Palmaria" Lounge Chiar by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1980
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Leather "Palmaria" lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for cassina, Italy, 1970s
The "Palmaria" Lounge Chair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy in 1980, is a true masterpi...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Vico Magistretti, sofa mod. Sinbad for Cassina, 1980
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
The sofa mod. Sinbad by Vico Magistretti has a throw blanket in leather that extends far over the backrest .
Base in black lacquered wood.
In all the sofa is in excellent condition.
This was one of the sofas that Vico Magistretti appreciated the most and that he also had privately in his Milan apartment.
His idea was to design a piece of seating furniture in which the fabric did not conform to the given shape.
When he designed it, he was thinking more of an English horse blanket that you throw over...
Category
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather, Fabric
Italian Set of Red Villabianca Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1985
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern set of red and black Villabianca chairs by V. Magistretti for Cassina, 1985
Set of 4 Villabianca chairs, with round section beech frame and graphic line o...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Blue "PALMARIA 709" 2-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, ITALY 1980
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in DE MEERN, NL
BLUE "PALMARIA 709" 2-SEATER SOFA BY VICO MAGISTRETTI FOR CASSINA, ITALY 1970S
Introducing the stunning Palmaria 709 2-seater sofa by renowned Italian de...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
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...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Leather "Palmaria 709" 2-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy 1980
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
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
Vico Magistretti for Cassina Veranda Sofa, Two-Seater, Leather, Italian Modern
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Stamford, CT
Vico Magistretti for Cassina Veranda Sofa, Two-Seater, Leather, Italian Modern. Seat height 16 inches.
Both unique and highly functional, this sof...
Category
1980s Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Steel
Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brussels, BE
Vico Magistretti lounge chair for Cassina model "Veranda", circa 1980. The inner steel frame adjusts to reconfigure the chair. The chair sits on black tubular feet and is upholstered...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Veranda Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vico Magistretti Veranda lounge chair for Cassina, circa 1983. The inner steel frame adjusts to reconfigure the chair. The chair sits on black tubu...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Lounge Chair 'White' by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brussels, BE
Vico Magistretti lounge chair for Cassina model "Veranda", circa 1980. The inner steel frame adjusts to reconfigure the chair. The chair sits on black tubular feet and is upholstered...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Veranda Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vico Magistretti veranda lounge chair for Cassina, circa 1983. The inner steel frame adjusts to reconfigure the chair. The chair sits on black tubu...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather
Vico Magistretti for Depadova Three-Seat Sofa Model Raffles
By Vico Magistretti, DePadova 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Vico Magistretti's tribute to be famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Dark-stained adjustable beech legs, frame in steel and wood with elastic straps, vari...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Italian Mid-Century Modern Raffles Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Depadova, 1988
By ICF De Padova, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern raffles sofa by Vico Magistretti for Depadova, 1988
Raffles three-seat sofa, with original blue cotton upholstery and wooden s...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Fabric
Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italia Modern Veranda Lounge Chairs
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
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...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Cassina Portovenere Vico Magistretti Matching Sofa, Lounge Chair & Footstool
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅
Cassina “Portovenere” by Vico Magistretti Matching Two Seater Sofa, Lounge Chair and Footstool
Designed by Vico Magistretti for Cass...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Wool
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
Maui Dining or Office Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Kartell - Set of 4
By Kartell, Vico Magistretti
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: H 30.5" / Seat width: 18.3" / Width: 23" Height from floor to seat: 19.3" Back height: 15.8"
Highly desirable original set of 4 Italian MAUI Dining Chairs designed by Vi...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Veranda Two Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage red fabric veranda two seater sofa/daybed designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
Beautiful lively red colour and black lacquered metal frame.
The chair is adjustable...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Vico Magistretti Italian Midcentury Sofa from 1980s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in bari, IT
Vico Magistretti two-seat sofa model "veranda" for Cassina.
The seat elements, whose padding is in polyurethane foam and polyester wadding covered in fabric or leather, have a foldin...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Metal
Louisiana Armchair by De Padova Leather Foam Italy 1980s
By ICF De Padova, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair with footrest, foam padding, leather and hide upholstery. Good conditions, with small signs of usage.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Seating
Materials
Leather, Foam
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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