Iconic Designs
Alky Chair
About the Design
In the 1960s, Giancarlo Piretti (b. 1940), who earned a degree in art education at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna and taught interior design, began working with the Italian manufacturer Castelli, where he would go on to produce some of the most popular chairs in the world. In 1969, he debuted the Alky, a sculptural, modernized riff on a slipper chair that appears to float above the ground.
Unlike most chairs, the Alky doesn’t have a distinctive base and seat; rather the entire form appears as one continuous piece, originally upholstered in velvet and wool and set on narrow, aluminum feet.
Much of Piretti’s popularity in the United States can be attributed to Castelli’s exhibition “The Piretti Collection” at the 1988 iteration of the NeoCon design exposition in Chicago. There, his ergonomic office seating earned him a slew of awards and led to increased global attention.
Compared to Piretti’s widely revered folding chairs and wheeling desk chairs (the Plia, of which millions have sold, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art; the DSC 106 is among Castelli’s best known), the Alky — no longer in production — is by far the most sumptuous design. Yet, as much as its shapely silhouette has made it a favorite of interior designers in residential and commercial spaces alike, it is also rooted in comfort. Its foam-covered back and seat give soft resistance, and the Alky chair’s organic shape perfectly cradles the sitter — a true mark of the modernist dedication to human-centric design.
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Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in White Bouclé Fabric for Anonima Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Chairs In Yarn Collective bouclé *Customizable*
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A pair of Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” chairs newly upholstered in a 'Parchment' colored Yarn Collective bouclé fabric.
Parchment is a light, neutral, sepia, off-white colour, we have...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Giancarlo Piretti, Original Plona Armchair for Anonima Castelli, 1970
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London, GB
Designed in 1970 by Giancarlo Piretti, Plona is a folding and stackable armchair. The solid tubular structure is in polished stainless aluminum alloy, with hinges in die-cast light a...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
ALKI armchair, design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Milan, IT
Alki armchair, design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Italian manufacture.
The armchair made with a metal structure and covered with sage green elastic fabric.
Desi...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in Sky Blue Velvet for Anonima Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Pair of Alky armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1970
By Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of Alky armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1970
Product details
Dimensions: 63 W x 69 H x 75 D cm
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Alky Armchairs 70's by Designer Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in MADRID, ES
These iconic "Alky" lounges were designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli in the late 1970s. The armchairs are known for their comfortable seating and iconic Italian design...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid 20th Century Modern Alky Lounge chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Brugge, BE
1970s
“Alky”
Netherlands
Metal and red upholstery
70cm high, 65cm wide, 80cm deep
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Mid Century Modern Alky Lounge Chairs Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of vintage 1969 Alky chairs designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort. In what appears to be original fabric which shows wear from normal use and age. Aluminum feet a...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in Autumn Velvet for Anonima Castelli, Italy
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Purple Alky chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1969
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Athens, Attiki
Blueberry purple Alky chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy 1969.
The Alky Chair was exhibited with the Piretti ...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
A Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” In A Yarn Collective Bouclé Fabric *Customizable*
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” chair newly upholstered in a 'Flax' colored Yarn Collective bouclé fabric. The fabric is grey in appearance with a very pale olive hue, we have included tw...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of 'ALKY' armchairs design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli 1970
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of ALKY armchairs, design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970.
The armchair made with a metal frame and upholstery in old-purple elastic fabric.
Design with soft and...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Alky Armchair by Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Toronto, ON
The Alky armchair, created by Giancarlo Piretti in the late 1960s, continues to captivate with its distinctive lounge chair design, which remains unparalleled even today. This multif...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
Materials
Wool, Bouclé
Alky Armchair by Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Toronto, ON
The Alky armchair, created by Giancarlo Piretti in the late 1960s, continues to captivate with its distinctive lounge chair design, which remains unparalleled even today. This multif...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
Materials
Wool
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in Stone Grey Bouclé Wool, Anonima Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Lounge Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set of 2
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
A wonderfully sitting set of vintage design lounge chairs, also known as "alky", a design Giancarlo piretti for Anonima Castelli.
Original fabric is very good condition, raspberry co...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Armchair
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
The Alky armchair is a design by Giancarlo Piretti, an Italian industrial designer known for his innovative and functional furniture designs. The Alky chair...
Category
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in White Fabric for Anonima Castelli
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chairs designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Exquisite Pair of Artifort Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti, Artifort
Located in Voorburg, NL
These Sculptural Alky chairs are designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the ‘70s for Artifort. Piretti is renowned for his innovative and functional furniture designs, particularly in the realm of ergonomic seating. The Alky chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Alky Chair in brown bouclé by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in amstelveen, NL
Alky chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1970s. Reupholstered in a beautiful high-quality brown boucle by Pierre Frey. Aluminum fr...
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Italian modern Blue fabric Armchairs Alky by Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Blue teddy fabric Armchairs Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Pair of armchair mod. Alky in blue teddy fabric. The monocoque structure is provided ...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern brown teddy Alky armchairs by Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown teddy Alky armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Pair of Alky model monocoque armchairs, in soft brown teddy fabric. The shell is provided o...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Giancarlo Piretti Iconic Alki Lounge Chair in Original Blue Upholstery Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Giancarlo Piretti Alky chairs in original blue upholstery, Italy, 1969
Giancarlo Piretti designed these Alky chairs for Castelli in 1969. Sculptural, fantastic modern design in th...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort in Pierre Frey, 1970s, Set of 2
By Giancarlo Piretti, Artifort
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
A pair of beautiful Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" chairs reupholstered in a fluffy blend of wool, mohair and alpaca, produced by one of the world's most luxurious fabric manufacturers, Pi...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool, Alpaca, Mohair
Italian Modern Teddy Fabric Alky Armchairs by G. Piretti, Anonima Castelli 1970s
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pair of white teddy fabric and metal details Alky armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s.
Pair of Alky model monocoque armchairs, fully upholstere...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Alky Armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy, 1972
By Giancarlo Piretti, Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Alky Armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli.
Produced by Anonima Castelli in 1972.
Base in brushed steel, padding in foam rubber, cover...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel
Vintage Alky Chairs in Off-White Fabric by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Artifort
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
A pair of beautiful Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” chairs reupholstered in luxurious off-white wool-cotton blend fabric produced by a highly recognized textile manufacturer Chase Erwin fro...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chairs Pair in Bouclé Wool, Anonima Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic pair of Alky lounge chairs designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal fr...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Alky Chairs in Beige Corduroy by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Zagreb, HR
Two original vintage iconic 'Alky' chairs, designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli.
A rare early 1970s production in beige 100% cotton corduroy.
Iconic Italian design.
So...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Chair in New Black Velvet, for Castelli Italy, 1970s
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Iconic 'Alky' lounge chair newly reupholstered in black velvet
Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli in the late 60s. These lounges are known for their comfortable seati...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Five White Bouclé Fabric Upholstered Giancarlo Piretti Alky Easy Chairs
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Madrid, ES
Five Alky easy chairs on aluminum runner legs, reupholstered with white bouclé fabric. Alky was designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1969. Manufactured and marked by Anonima Castelli. Ve...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Iconic 'Alky' chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, Red Fabric, 1970s
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Zagreb, HR
An original vintage iconic 'Alky' chair, designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli.
Produced in the early 1970s in Italy.
Iconic Italian design.
Original vintage conditi...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
A Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Chair In Fluffy Pierre Frey, Artifort *Customizable*
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” chair newly upholstered in fluffy Pierre Frey fabric.
Manufactured by Artifort in the 1970s in the Netherlands. Newly upholstered in fluffy wool, mohair ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Lounge Chair in Pink Velvet Fabric for Anonima Castelli
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic Alky lounge chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the sixties for Anonima Castelli, Italy. The shape of the chair is construct with foam printed direct on a metal frame with ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Castelli Alky Fauteuil Giancarlo Piretti
By Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in OSS, NB
Alky design armchair designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in its original red fabric. Later production is taken over by the dutch design brand Artifort.
The condition of the...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Alky Lounge Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti, Italy 1970s, in Dedar Fabric
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Pair of iconic lounge chairs Alky designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, Italy 1970s, entirely restored and reupholstered in Dedar fabric (Per Inciso).
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Alky Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Renens, CH
Beautifully restored “Alky” lounge chair produced by Artifort and designed by Giancarlo Piretti (also known for the Plia and Plona chairs).
The Alky chair was conceptualized in 1968...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
More Giancarlo Piretti Designs
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Chair
Average Price
$3,418
Number Available
29
Giancarlo Piretti Alky Chair
Materials
Fabric, Metal, Plastic
Styles
Mid Century Modern
In the 1960s, Giancarlo Piretti (b. 1940), who earned a degree in art education at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna and taught interior design, began working with the Italian manufacturer Castelli, where he would go on to produce some of the most popular chairs in the world. In 1969, he debuted the Alky, a sculptural, modernized riff on a slipper chair that appears to float above the ground.
Unlike most chairs, the Alky doesn’t have a distinctive base and seat; rather the entire form appe...
Giancarlo Piretti Dsc 106
Average Price
$1,875
Number Available
17
Giancarlo Piretti Dsc 106
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Fabric
Styles
Mid Century Modern