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Vico Magistretti Sofas

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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Item Ships From: USA
Creator: Vico Magistretti
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...
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1980s Italian Vintage Vico Magistretti Sofas

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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...
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1980s Vintage Vico Magistretti Sofas

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Steel

Italian Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti is a masterpiece with perennial appeal that flawlessly captures the essence of 1970s Italian ...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vico Magistretti Sofas

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Leather Veranda 3 Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina in 1984, the Veranda 3 sofa comprises three connected lounge chairs. The two at the end swivel on their ...
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Vico Magistretti sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Vico Magistretti sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vico Magistretti sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 57 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original sofas 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 sofas by Saporiti Italia, Cini Boeri, and Antonio Citterio. Prices for Vico Magistretti sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,835 and can go as high as $25,505, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,188.
Questions About Vico Magistretti Sofas
  • 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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