Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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
Black Leather Incisa Office Chair by Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 1992
By ICF De Padova, Vico Magistretti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy in 1992 and designed by Vico Magistretti for De Padova.
This revolving office chair features a metal frame and its original high-quality leather upholstery.
This chair ...
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1990s Italian Post-Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Swivel Chairs by Ico & Luisa Parisi for Mim, 1960 s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Husband-and-wife team Ico and Luisa Parisi designed together and alongside each other in their studio La Ruota in Como, Italy. With a look that epitomized the modern Italian ...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
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...
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Ash
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Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs, although blue editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 1 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original office chairs and desk chairs by Vico Magistretti were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider office chairs and desk chairs by Piero Lissoni, Poltrona Frau, and Kartell. Prices for Vico Magistretti office chairs and desk chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $665 and can go as high as $4,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,030.
Creators Similar to Vico Magistretti
Questions About Vico Magistretti Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
- 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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