Vico Magistretti Design Vintage Desk and Chair Light Maple Wood Color Italian
About the Item
- Creator:Vico Magistretti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 48.04 in (122 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1950s Cream Color Enamelled Stilnovo Design Desk LampBy StilnovoLocated in London, GBRare midcentury Italian downlight desk lamp by Stilnovo with original metal signature on the base. Beige enamelled steel metal structure and base. The lamp shade is part covered by p...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Italian Design Desk Table Lamp by BBPR Studio Chrome and Clear GlassBy Studio BBPR, ArtemideLocated in London, GBThis is a beautiful Italian modernist lamp. It has a chromed steel structure and a chrome glass shade. The lamp serves both as an uplighter, creating a wonderful ambiance in a corner...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- 1990s Sculptural Armchair light wood and leather by Italian Anacleto SpazzapanBy Anacleto SpazzapanLocated in London, GBA 1990s very sculptural armchair Italian design by Anacleto Spazzapan light wood frame with loose leather threads in mustard, tobacco, dark gray colors. Greatly executed with clever...Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Pop Art Yellow and Black Perspex Light Panel by Johanna Grawunder Italian DesignBy Johanna GrawunderLocated in London, GBA 1980s Pop Art yellow and black perspex light panel by Johanna Grawunder An Art Lighting panel, yellow / black perspex with florencescent light bulbs. I...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsPlexiglass
- Italian Design Bidone Ceiling Light Attributed to Caccia Dominioni for AzucenaBy AzucenaLocated in London, GB" Bidone " Italian mid-century glass design attributed to Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena. Suspension lights brass circular mount with a white blown Murano glass satin finish shap...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Modernist Chrome Metal Suspension Light Italian Design by Franco AlbiniBy Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca HelgLocated in London, GBA very modernist 1960s chrome metal suspension light. Italian design by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for manufacturer Sirrah Design produced in...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Vico Magistretti Cherrywood and Aluminium Writing Desk for De Padova, ItalyBy Vico Magistretti, C.R.S. De PadovaLocated in Renens, CHItalian design cherrywood and aluminium writing desk by Vico Magistretti, De Padova Italy. This desk comes from the "Reflex" series designed 1989 and produced in 1990. The desk combines a design derived from traditional secretaries...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage Italian Walnut and Satin Wood DeskLocated in London, GBA superb vintage Italian walnut and satin wood desk, dating from the 1950-60’s. It is beautifully designed and is of superb quality, standing on wonderful tapered legs with brass fe...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSatinwood
- Sindbad Table Vico Magistretti Cassina Italian Modern DesignBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Shibuya-ku, TokyoSindbad coffee table Designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Half oval shaped table designed for center table. Used as low console table put in front of the wall. Probably it can be used as TV side...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsWood
- Modernist "Omnibus" Desk in Maple and Thuja WoodLocated in Milan, LombardyArchitect Piero Portaluppi created the “omnibus” desk for his home, solving a practical issue with an invention of great usefulness: give the possibility to those who write to have p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Italian Vintage Desk in Walnut Wood, Brass and GlassLocated in Milano, ITThe beautiful desk is made in walnut wood, but the top is covered with glass plate giving the dest and elegant look. The desk features four drawers, one of which can be closed with a...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Regency Italian Burlwood Desk and ChairLocated in west palm beach, FLFantastic vintage 1960s Italian Secretary desk. A gorgeous burl Olive wood cabinet with chic vintage brocade lining. A charming little Tole lamp...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Regency Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
