Vico Magistretti & Per Skovholt, Elegant Comfi Senior Chair 'Mobi Chair, 2000

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.

Since the early 20th century, Fredericia has manufactured alluring and sophisticated Scandinavian furniture produced with the highest standards of quality in mind. The Danish brand collaborates with today’s top design talent and over time partnered with celebrated mid-century modernists such as Hans Wegner, Arne Vodder, Jens Risom — a leading figure in Scandinavian design and Knoll’s first designer — and Nanna Ditzel, whose Hanging Egg chair for Sika was a favorite for flashy fashion shoots of the 1960s.

Fredericia was founded in 1911 by N.P. Ravnsø as the Fredericia Chair Factory. In 1930, with the idea of creating a range of durable furniture made in the traditional styles of the era, Fredericia secured a license to manufacture pieces for German company Thonet.

In 1955 Danish businessman Andreas Graversen acquired Fredericia. Graversen had previously established what would become a long-lived partnership with notable furniture designer Børge Mogensen, a former teaching assistant to pioneering architect and designer Kaare Klint. Graversen sought to introduce modern flourishes to traditional Scandinavian furniture design at Fredericia — and owing to his business savvy and vision, coupled with Mogensen's artistic sensibilities and deep understanding of organic materials, the company successfully debuted various furnishings designed in the Scandinavian modern style that are still coveted today.

Fredericia brought Mogensen's iconic Spanish chair to market in 1958. With its solid European oak frame, wide armrests and suspended saddle leather seat and backrest, this signature piece solidified Fredericia's standing in Denmark — and around the world — as a premier furniture company. Mogensen designed many renowned pieces during his career at Fredericia, including the practical, rustic Hunting chair.

After Mogensen's death in 1972, Fredericia continued to flourish as a manufacturer. The company continues to work with legendary designers — witness its impossibly innovative Stingray rocking chair, designed by Thomas Pedersen, for example — and in 2020 acquired the Erik Jørgensen furniture company. Fredericia is now owned by Graversen's son, Thomas Graversen.

On 1stDibs, explore a range of vintage Fredericia seating, storage pieces and tables.