Pair of Vico Magistretti ABS "Vicario" Armchairs for Artemide Milano, 1970s
View Similar Items
Pair of Vico Magistretti ABS "Vicario" Armchairs for Artemide Milano, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Vico Magistretti (Designer),Artemide (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 26.38 in (67 cm)Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Puglia, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4426120009272
Vico Magistretti
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.
Artemide
Artemide is an iconic firm in the design world. The mid-century Italian company is one of the best known lighting manufacturers and its award-winning fixtures are held in museum collections everywhere. Vintage Artemide table lamps, pendants, ceiling lamps and other lighting represent a thoughtful merge between functionalism and eye-catching design.
Artemide, which is based in Pregnana, was founded by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1959. During that year, Mazza created the first table lamp for the manufacturer — a modernist work in glass, marble and metal that he called the Alfa. Gismondi, who studied aeronautical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan and missile engineering at Rome’s Professional School of Engineering, applied his knowledge of cutting edge technology and materials such as fiberglass resin to Artemide’s designs for lighting and furniture.
In 1967, Artemide won Italy’s Compasso d'Oro design award for its Eclisse table lamp, which was designed by Vico Magistretti two years earlier. Other award-winning fixtures include the Tizio table lamp designed by Richard Sapper and the Tolomeo table lamp.
Designed by Michele de Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the Tolomeo featured the patented George Carwardine mechanism used in the original Anglepoise lamp. De Lucchi would later be recruited to join visionary postmodern design collective the Memphis Group. Artemide’s Gismondi purchased the brand after founder Ettore Sottsass dismantled the collective in 1988, and it was bought by Alberto Bianchi Albrici in 1996.
Artemide’s list of design, innovation, sustainability and other industry awards is long and distinguished. The firm continues to actively collaborate with internationally revered designers and seek out new talent through workshops with design schools. The company’s deeply held values — energy-saving lighting, sustainable design and ethically sourced materials — characterize its current offerings, and Artemide furniture and lighting can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and other institutions.
On 1stDibs, find Artemide tables, seating, floor lamps, chandeliers and more.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo Armchairs Bonaccina Style, 1970sBy BonaccinaLocated in Puglia, PugliaThis pair of curved bamboo armchairs, production of the 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
$3,074 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern Swivel and Rocking Armchair Bamboo, 1970sLocated in Puglia, PugliaExclusive wicker and bamboo swivel rocking chair. It has a round seat with a rocking mechanism.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBamboo
$1,141 Sale Price20% Off - Guglielmo Veronesi Mid-Century Modern Italian Small Armchairs for I.S.A., PairBy ISA BergamoLocated in Puglia, PugliaPair of small armchairs designed by Guglielmo Veronesi and produced by I.S.A, 1950s. The armchairs are upholstered in velvet, as shown in the ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Beech
$2,635 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Piumotto Italian Leather Armchairs by Arrigo Arrighi for Busnelli, 1970sBy Arrigo Arrigoni, BusnelliLocated in Puglia, PugliaPair of Piumotto armchairs by Arrigo Arrigoni for Busnelli from the 1970s. Upholstery in genuine black leather. Feet in plastic.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
$2,108 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Busnelli Mid-Century Modern Italian Leather Armchairs, 1970sBy BusnelliLocated in Puglia, PugliaPair of Piumotto armchairs produced by Busnelli, 1970s. Upholstery in genuine smoked gray leather Base in black lacquered wood.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
$2,459 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Mid-century Modern Italian Rattan and Wicker Armchairs, 1970sLocated in Puglia, PugliaPair of armchairs with rattan structure, wicker weave entirely handmade. Italian design from the late 1970s, new upholstery, in ivory-coloured microfibre fabric. The sofa is also ava...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wicker, Rattan
- Vicario armchair designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy 1970s.By Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Athens, AttikiVicario armchair designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy 1970s. In production from 1970 until the mid-70s. Made of fiber glass, this armchair is characterized by fluid shape...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Armchairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- “Vicario” armchair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide - Italy - 70'sBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Padova, ITLudovico "Vico" Magistretti (Milan, 6 October 1920 - Milan, 19 September 2006) was one of the most important Italian designers, architect and urban planner. His clean and essential d...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic
- White 'Gaudi' Chair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Vintage Early Model, 1970sBy Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Zagreb, HRIconic 'Gaudi' chair designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide, Italy. Named after Antonio Gaudi. Single piece construction chair that comes from a pressure mold of poly...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Gaudi Armchair by Vico Magistretti for ArtemideBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Montréal, QCGaudi Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, made in Italy, 1970s. Named after architect Antoni Gaudi, the organic lines and form of the chair are heavily influenced by Gaudi's s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic, Fiberglass
- Vico Magistretti for Cassina Pair of ‘Carimate’ Lounge Chairs in BoucléBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Waalwijk, NLVico Magistretti for Cassina, pair of ‘Carimate’ lounge chairs, beech, bouclé, Italy, designed circa 1960 The ‘Carimate’ lounge chair is one of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Bouclé
- Set of 2 plastic armchairs Gaudì mod. by V. Magistretti for Artemide 70'sBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Padova, ITLudovico "Vico" Magistretti (Milan, 6 October 1920 - Milan, 19 September 2006) was one of the most important Italian designers, architect and urban planner. His clean and essential d...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic