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.
Stackable Tables Demetrio 45 by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy 60s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of three stackable coffee table designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Italy
Fiberglass
$587
H 11.81 in W 27.95 in D 27.95 in
Mid-Century Italian Space Age Demetrio Coffee Lounge Table by Vico, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple coffee table by the renowned manufacturer Artemide after a design by Vico Magistretti from the 60s. A simple design with elegant curves. The flat table has a square design. T...
Plastic
$5,633Sale Price|44% Off
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 63 in
Square Walnut Table Model 781 by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 60s , 70s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Padova, IT
Square walnut table model 781 by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 60s , 70s. Superb table in solid walnut, top in dark brown aniline. Cassina Spa is ...
Walnut
$398
H 9.45 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Demetrio 45 Coffee Table by Vico Magistretti, Italian Design, 1966
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in London, England
The Demetrio 45 coffee table, designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian brand Artemide in 1966, embodies the genius of modern Italian design. Made of white plastic, this piece is ...
Resin
Vico Magistretti for Artemide Selene Dining Table
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vico Magistretti for Artemide dining table A Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Vico Magistretti and made by Artemide Milano. R...
Plastic
$5,840
H 15.95 in W 50.2 in D 37.6 in
White Caori Coffee Table by Vico Magistretti for Gavina, Italy, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brussels, BE
White Caori Coffee Table by Vico Magistretti for Gavina, Italy, 1960s
Stainless Steel
Vico Magistretti, Mezza Tessera, a large coffee table produced by Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Vico Magistretti, Mezza Tessera, a large coffee table produced by Artemide. Glossy lacquered finish. Dimensions: diameter 120 cm, height 40 cm. The tabletop has a few minor marks, b...
Metal
DEMETRIO 45 side tables, Vico Magistretti, Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Neuss, NW
Stackable DEMETRIO 45 side tables by Vico Magistretti for Artemide from the 1960s. High-quality plastic frame in orange. Quality Features: very good workmanship high qualit...
Plastic
$4,115 / set
H 15.56 in Dm 23.23 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Large Nesting / Stacking Tables, Italy, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Gianfranco Frattini stacking nest of three tables for Cassina, Italy, 1970s. Rare white version in larger, wider size. Wooden frames in original white paint with reversible laminat...
Laminate, Walnut
$817 / set
H 10.24 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
Vico Magistretti Stackable Tables T8 for Azucena, Italy, 1954
By Azucena, Vico Magistretti
Located in Labrit, Landes
Two stackable tables by Vico Magistretti for Azucena, Italy, circa 1954 Provenance from the estate of Italian designer and Architect Renato Magri friend ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table by Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1965
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2106A Dining table with lacquered metal base and wooden top. Attr. Vico Magistretti, ca. 1965.
Metal
$1,536 / set
H 19.89 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Italian Vintage Bamboo Cane and Rattan Nesting Tables with Clear Glass Top, 60s
Located in Roma, IT
I am offering for sale a Nesting Table consisting of 3 coffee tables of increasing size of the following dimensions: The largest: 50cm x 50cm Height 50.5cm the middle one: 40cm x ...
Bamboo, Cane, Glass
Set of two nesting Mid century tables, Denmark, 60s.
By Poul Hundevad
Located in Praha, CZ
Very practical.
Wood
$1,374 / set
H 29.93 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Italian space age Plastic Dining table Stadio by Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Dining table Stadio by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s Dining table mod. Stadio with square top and rounded corners, entirely in red ABS plastic. The legs have...
Plastic
Marble side table by Vico Magistretti for Cattelan Italia
By Vico Magistretti, Cattelan Italia
Located in Athens, Attiki
Round glass and marble coffee table by Vico Magistretti for Cattelan, 1980s, Excellent condition Dimensions: height 60 cm including handle, diameter 60
Marble, Metal
Side table by Vico Magistretti for Cattelan, Italy 1980s.
By Vico Magistretti, Cattelan Italia
Located in Athens, Attiki
Marble and glass side table by Vivi Magistretti for Cattelan, Italy 1980s.
Marble, Metal
Sold
H 8.27 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Vintage Demetrio 45 Stackable Table by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of 2
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Elevate your interior with a pair of exquisite Demetrio 45 tables designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide in the late 60s...
Resin
Sold
H 9.06 in W 17.72 in
Pair of "Demetrio 45" Stackable Side Tables by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of “Demetrio 45? stackable side tables designed by Vico Magistretti. Manufactured by Artemide in Italy during the late 1960s. Made from fiberglass...
Fiberglass, Polyester