Purple Alky chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1969
About the Item
- Creator:Giancarlo Piretti (Designer),Anonima Castelli (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80 cm)Depth: 24.41 in (62 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Space Age (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1969
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Athens, GR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6596237651332
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Athens, Greece
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Castelli "Planta" coat rack by Giancarlo Piretti, 1972.By Anonima Castelli, Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Athens, AttikiIconic “Planta” coat rack designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli,Italy 1972. Made from beige ABS plastic featuring six fold down segments ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsPlastic
- Plia chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti for CastelliBy Giancarlo Piretti, CastelliLocated in Athens, AttikiPlia chair with smoked brown transparent plexi glass, 1980s. Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1967. It's an award-winning design classic. With...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Penelope Chair by Charles Pollock for Anonima CastelliBy Anonima Castelli, Charles PollockLocated in Athens, AttikiPenelope chair designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli. Steel-wire sled base supports a seat permeable to air which consists in a steel...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- AEO armchair by Paolo Deganello (Archizoom) for Cassina , 1973By Archizoom Associati, Cassina, Paolo DeganelloLocated in Athens, AttikiThe AEO chair was the last product from the Archizoom group, and was designed by Paolo Deganello in 1973 as an unconventional interpretation of a contemporary design chair. The auda...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pistillo table/wall/ceiling lamp by Studio Tetrarch for Valenti, Italy 1969.By Studio Tetrarch, ValentiLocated in Athens, AttikiPistillo table/wall/ceiling lamp by Studio Tetrarch for Valenti, Italy 1969. Studio Tetrarch’s Pistillo takes its form and its name from the cluster of pistils at the heart of a flow...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsPlastic
- Foglia 643 Table Lamp by Elio Martnelli, 1969By Elio Martinelli, Martinelli LuceLocated in Athens, AttikiFoglia 643 acrylic table lamp designed by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, Italy 1969 (No longer in production.) Excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsAcrylic
- Alky Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated 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
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set 2By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated 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
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set of 2By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated in Lasne, BEPair of alky chairs in red fabric designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the 70s. Seat height: 37cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
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 by Giancarlo Piretti in Yellow Bouclé for Castelli Italy 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Saint Ouen, FRIconic 'Alky' lounge chair newly reupholstered in italian yellow bouclé Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli in the late 60s. These lounges are known for their comforta...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Italian Modern "Alky" Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, Italy 70sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lucija, SIItalian modern red Alky model chairs designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s This lounge “Alky” chair has an original fabric. Aluminum frame and polished chrome foo...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal