1970, Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy, Red Fabric Alky Chair
View Similar Items
1970, Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy, Red Fabric Alky Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Castelli (Manufacturer),Giancarlo Piretti (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Depth: 28.35 in (72 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2055315575781
Alky Chair
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.
Giancarlo Piretti
Giancarlo Piretti was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1940. He attended art schools there and subsequently taught Interior Design. During that time, he was also designing furniture for Anonima Castelli. He has won numerous awards and has items in many museums, including MoMA, New York. He still lives and works in Bologna with his son, designer Alessandro Piretti.
- 1972, Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Iconic "Planta" ABS Coat StandBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated 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...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsPlastic
- 1967, Paolo Lomazzi, Donato D'urbino, Jonathan de Pas, for Zanotta, Blow ChairBy Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo LomazziLocated 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. :-) This was the first mass-produced inflatable chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
$1,256 Sale Price21% Off - Planta, Coatrack in Black by PirettiBy Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLPlanta iconic coat rack. The coat rack hooks, can be set in or out and have multiple functions for hanging coats or clothes in different ways and have an umbrella stand. The coat ra...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsPlastic
- Planta, Coathanger in Dark Beige by PirettiBy Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLPlanta iconic coat rack. The coat rack hooks, can be set in or out and have multiple functions for hanging coats or clothes in different ways and have an umbrella stand. The coat ra...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsPlastic
- Planta, Coatrack in Light Beige by PirettiBy Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLPlanta iconic coat rack. The coat rack hooks, can be set in or out and have multiple functions for hanging coats or clothes in different ways and have an umbrella stand. The coat ra...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsPlastic
- 1958, Kho Liang Ie, Rare Easy Chair from 020 Series by ArtifortBy Artifort, Kho Liang IeLocated 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,...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alky Chair By Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli 1970sBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Čelinac, BAGiancarlo Piretti Alky Chair for Castelli1970sCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Alky Chair, Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Las Vegas, NVClassic design by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort. The foam is situated directly on numerous elastic bands for a soothing and relaxing sit. Sitting on aluminum feet the subtle curves ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$2,240 Sale Price / item20% Off - Alky Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lasne, BEArmchair in red fabric. Model: Alky. Seat height: 39 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Modern Red Chairs Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Red chairs mod. Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s Pair of armchairs mod. Alky fully padded and covered in...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Alky Chairs in Off-White Fabric by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, 1970sBy Artifort, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in ŁÓDŹ, PLA 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
MaterialsBouclé
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set 2By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lasne, BEPair of alky chairs in red fabric. Seat height: 37cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal