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.
Italian modern bench Carimate by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern bench Carimate by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Bench model Carimate in black lacquered wood with a glossy finish and a straw seat. The armrests and backrest ar...
Straw, Wood
Carimate bench red Vico Magistretti Cassina 1958 mid-century
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Bench from the Carimate series designed by Vico Magistretti for the Club House of the Golf Club of Carimate (Como). The design blends references to the Scandinavian tradition with el...
Straw, Wood
$8,000 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti “Carimate” Chairs for Cassina, Black, 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...
Straw, Wood
$12,400 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 8
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of eight. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Straw, Wood
$3,515
H 27.96 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofa / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This sofa features the original knitted wool upholstery in ivory. Head /...
Wool
$16,400 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 10
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of ten (8 side chairs, 2 armchairs) . The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistr...
Straw, Wood
$6,445 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Straw, Wood
$9,300 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 6
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 six. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Straw, Wood
Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in creamy white fabric designed by Vico Magistretti, Model: Maralunga. Seat height: 44 cm. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Fabric
$12,000 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 6
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 six. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Straw, Wood
$3,950
H 29.34 in W 44.49 in D 19.3 in
Vico Magistretti 'Carimate' Bench in Red Stained Wood and Straw
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti, ‘Carimate’ bench stained beech, straw, Italy, design 1963 This bench belongs to the 'Carimate' line, one of Vico Magistretti’s most well-known furniture series. Ch...
Straw, Beech
$8,000 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Straw, Wood
On Hold|$4,218 / set
H 29.53 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti For Cassina Italian Red Dining Chairs Carimate Ser, 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two dining chairs with armrests Carimate serie designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina from 1960s with an analine-stained beech w...
Straw, Beech
$5,000
H 26.38 in W 27.96 in D 25.99 in
Vico Magistretti 930 "Carimate" Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1960
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti 930 "Carimate" lounge chair for Cassina, red-lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960. The 930 "Carimate" easy chair was created for the club house of 'Carimate's...
Straw, Wood
"Carimate" Bench
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Forest, BE
An icon of Italian design, the Carimate bench combines a lacquered solid wood frame with a handwoven straw seat. Designed by Vico Magistretti for the Carimate Golf Club-House for Cas...
Straw, Wood, Lacquer
Vico Magistretti Red Carimate Bench for Cassina, Italy 1958
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Vico Magistretti Carimate Bench with beautifully aged, original red patina and original Straw seat. Manufactured by Cassina, Italy, 1958
Straw, Wood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 44.1 in D 18.12 in
Model 892 Carimate Bench designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1962
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
Model 892 Carimate Bench designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1962 This bench, finished in white lacquered wood with a woven straw seat, has been carefully restored to p...
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Bench for Cassina, Black, Rush
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Miami, FL
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Bench for Cassina, black lacquered wood, rush seat.
Rush, Wood
Carimate bench, black wood, Vico Magistretti, Cassina, 1960
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
questa iconica panchetta rappresenta un capolavoro del design italiano, unendo forme pulite e materiali di alta qualità. Creata dal celebre designer Vico Magistretti, la Panchetta Ca...
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti for Cassina "Carimate 892" Bench, Italy, 1960
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Naples, IT
1960s "Carimate 892" bench designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Black lacquered beech frame and original straw seat.
Straw, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Bench for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic wood and rush seat bench by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Part of the "Carimate" series, bench has dark ebony wood frame and newly woven rush...
Rush, Wood
Sold
H 14.97 in W 72.84 in D 16.54 in
Mid-Century Cassina "Sinbad" Italian Wood Coffee Table or Bench, 1981
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Sacile, PN
"Sinbad" wood coffee table or bench designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 1981. The table has a long and sleek profile and it is perfect with a long sofa or even to use as a benc...
Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 66.93 in D 33.46 in
Fabric Vintage Sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973 Set of Two
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 2 two-seat sofa named Maralunga, which was designed by Vico Magistretti, 1973 for Cassina, Italy. The top-quality seaters are very comfortable. It is worth to mentioned, th...
Fabric
Vico Magistretti Sinbad Coffee Table by Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Highland, IN
Designed for Cassina by Vico Magistretti for his "Sinbad" line, this large and dramatic pair of tables offer great versatility in addition ...
Oak
Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina.
Metal