Set of 4 Selene Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
About the Item
- Creator:Vico Magistretti (Designer),Artemide (Maker)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Minor losses.
- Seller Location:München, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7970238690452
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: München, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Italian Triteni Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Vico Magistretti for ArtemideBy Vico Magistretti, Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Artemide, Harvey Guzzini, Temde LeuchtenLocated in München, DEBeautiful Italian wall or ceiling lamp from the 1960s. High-quality workmanship and extravagant design. A warm light is created. Design: Vico Magistretti Manufacturer: Artemide Con...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 6 Beautiful Teakwood Dining ChairsBy France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Niels Otto Møller, Grete Jalk, Hans J. WegnerLocated in München, DEExtraordinarily beautiful teak chairs from the 1950s. Very delicately crafted with great attention to detail. The rattan weave makes the chairs very special. A wonderful addition to ...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Rattan, Teak
- Sintesi Clamp Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for ArtemideBy Ernesto GismondiLocated in München, DEFabulous Italian clamp lamp by Ernesto Gismondi from the 1970s. Industrial design and high quality workmanship. An absolute highlight for every design lover. Design: Ernesto Gismond...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Sintesi Desk Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for ArtemideBy Ernesto GismondiLocated in München, DEFabulous Italian desk lamp by Ernesto Gismondi from the 1970s. Industrial design and high quality workmanship. An absolute highlight for every design lover. Design: Ernesto Gism...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 2 Walnut Lounge Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy Illum Wikkelsø, Percival Lafer, Widdicomb Furniture Co., Grete Jalk, T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in München, DEWonderful and very comfortable American armchairs from the 1950s. The delicate design fits wonderfully into any interior and is an enrichment for every home. The noble walnut wood en...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Set of 2 Ceramic Wall Lamps by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for LindnerBy Fog and Morup, Kaiser Leuchten, Peill & Putzler, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Aloys F. GangkofnerLocated in München, DEVery nice wall lamps from the 1950s. Classic, timeless design with an extremely beautiful lighting effect. Design: Professor Wilhelm Wagenfeld Manufacturer: Lindner Condition: Ver...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCeramic, Opaline Glass
- 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
- Italian modern plastic red Chairs Selene by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960sBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern plastic red Chairs mod. Selene by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s Set of 4 iconic chairs mod. Selene in dark red-burgund...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsPlastic
- White Stackable Selene Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, PairBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Edinburgh, ScotlandVico Magistretti’s Selene was one of the first commercially produced chairs pressed from a single sheet of plastic. The Selene was first conceived by Magistretti in 1961 but it took several years working alongside the technicians and model makers at Artemide to produce the first production model in 1969. It was the S shaped cross section that solved the issue with lateral strength of the legs for Magistretti. “ It cannot be drawn. To draw it I’d have to have drawn at least a hundred cross sections” The Artemide chair was made from a single sheet of 3mm thick Reglar, a new glass reinforced polyester (GRW). It was first shown in white at the 1968 Triennale di Milano. Production of the Selene started in 1969 with white, red and black models shortly followed in orange in 1970. In 1984 came a new inspired pallet of yellow, light blue and pink for the aesthetically radical Los Angeles Olympics. Artemide’s production of the chair ceased in the 1990s then Heller reissued nylon and polycarbonate (colour dependant) injection moulded versions in 2002. The 1960s saw an intense period of exploration in product design with many embracing the recent advances of Industrial plastics. Verner Panton, Joe Colombo, Helmut Batzner and Sergio Mazza were amongst those who had chairs utilising modern plastics in production by the late 60s. Helmut Batzner’s chair...Category
Vintage 1960s 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
- Set of 4 Italian Gaudi Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy 70sBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in Lucija, SIThis Italian armchair model Gaudi was designed by Vico Magistretti and produce by Artemide Milano in 1968 It is made from fiberglass. SPA Artemide Milano Modello Gaudi Design Vico ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- Vico Magistretti Chair „Selene“ by Artemide circa 1969By Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated 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