Set of 4 Selene Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
View Similar Items
Set of 4 Selene Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
About the Item
- Creator:Vico Magistretti (Designer),Artemide (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Refinished. The chairs have been restored and repainted entirely.
- Seller Location:Lyon, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7258234000522
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.
- Set of 6 pine chairs by Rainer Daumiller for Hirsthals Savvaerk, Denmark, 1960sBy Hirtshals Sawmill, Rainer DaumillerLocated in Lyon, FRBeautiful set of 6 pinewood chairs designed by Rainer Daumiller in 1960s for Hirtshals Sawmill, made in Denmark. Rounded lines, super sturdy, adorable, ones of our favorite chairs. G...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Brutalist Chairs
MaterialsPine
- Set of 4 Memphis style folding Chairs from the 1980sLocated in Lyon, FRBeautiful set of 4 postmodernist folding chairs from the 1980s, in white lacquered metal and black lacquered wood in the style of the Memphis Group. A ring in the back of the chair a...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$820 Sale Price / set50% Off - Set of 6 Georges Robert wood and straw chairs, made in France, 1950sBy Charlotte Perriand, Georges RobertLocated in Lyon, FRSet of 6 brutalist chairs made in the 1950s in France by Georges Robert. With its rustic and simple design, they have been made for countryside houses, yet its gorgeous wood grain an...Category
Vintage 1950s French French Provincial Chairs
MaterialsStraw, Wood, Oak
- Pair of white Italian Cesca chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer, 1970sBy Marcel BreuerLocated in Lyon, FRBeautiful pair of white Cesca chairs, made in Italy in the 1970s, from a design by Marcel Breuer (1928). Cane and white lacquered beech. Good condition overall, some light traces of ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCane, Beech
- Pair of rope and elm chairs in the style of Maison Regain, France, 1970sBy Maison RegainLocated in Lyon, FRNice pair of 2 chairs in the style of Maison Regain, made in France in the 1970s. Rope seat, elm structure. We love the wood grain and tint. Overall good condition, rope used, some ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brutalist Chairs
MaterialsRope, Elm
- Set of 3 travertine sculptures of horses by Fratelli Mannelli, 1970sBy Fratelli MannelliLocated in Lyon, FRSet of 3 travertine sculptures from Fratelli Manelli, made in Italy in the 1970s. 3 different sizes. Very good condition, two light lacks on the smallest sculpture. Dimensions : big...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsTravertine
- Vico Magistretti Chair „Selene“ by Artemide circa 1969By Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Wien, ATStapelsessel Modell „Selene“ entworfen von Vico Magistretti, frühe Ausführung („patent pending“) in schwarz. Hergestellt von Artemide in Italien um circa 1969, Herstellerkennzeichnun...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Italian Artemide Design Vico Magistretti 6 Chairs Model SeleneBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Prato, TuscanyWe kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. To lo...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPolyester
- Set of 4 Selene Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti for ArtemideBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in München, DEStunning Italian plastic chairs from the 1970s. Extremely successful design and an enrichment for every home. The chairs are both comfortable an...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Selene Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 8 PcsBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Renens, CHThe 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
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- 1960s Grey Selene Stacking Chairs by Vico Magistretti for ArtemideBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in San Gabriel, CA1960s grey Selene chair by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. These chairs were molded out of grey fiberglass-reinforced plastic as single pieces. Stackable and suitable for both indoor ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- 1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene ChairsBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis 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
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlastic