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Vico Magistretti Side 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
Gaudi Chair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Chicago, IL
Plastic frame, Made in Italy. Stackable.
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Plywood

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 Side Chairs

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vintage 1970s Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Accent Dining Armchair Chair, Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Madison, WI
For sale is a single funky vintage Vico Magistretti beauty, the "Carimate" chair by Cassina. The chair model originated in the 1960s in Italy....
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene Chairs
By Artemide, 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, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of four Selene chairs...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Space Age Red Plastic Vintage Chair Selene by Vico Magistretti, Italy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age red vintage plastic chair model Selene designed by Vico Magistretti 1968 for Artemide Milano, Italy. The chair shows a very good vintag...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Vico Magistretti Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

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Vico Magistretti, Set of 4 "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Italian Modern, 1970s
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Set of Three Vico Magistretti Lounge Chairs "Gaudi"
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Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 12
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Set of 10 Vico Magistretti Designed Selene Stacking Chairs for Artemide in Red
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Cassina Brown Leather Lounge Chair "Maralunga" by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
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Set of Four Vico Magistretti for Artemide Early White Selene Chairs, 1968
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'Selene' Stacking Chairs in Crimson Red by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1969
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Italian architect Vico Magistretti designed the 'Selene' chairs in 1969 for Artemide S.p.A., Milan, Italy. A Selene chair can be used both in and outdoors and are very robust being made of injection-moulded...
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Green Magistretti 'Vicario' Armchairs
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Vicario lounge chairs, Vico Magistretti, produced by Artemide Milano, Italy, 1970s These Postmodern Space Age chairs show beautiful wavy lines, giving them a nice modern appearan...
Category

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Green Magistretti 'Vicario' Armchairs
Green Magistretti 'Vicario' Armchairs
H 26.78 in W 28.35 in L 26.78 in

Vico Magistretti side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Vico Magistretti side 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 side chairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 7 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original side chairs by Vico Magistretti were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by Giancarlo Piretti, Rodney Kinsman, and Mart Stam. Prices for Vico Magistretti side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $2,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $930.
Questions About Vico Magistretti Side Chairs
  • 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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