Milanese industrial designer-architects Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1918–2002; 1913-68) created some of the most iconic furniture designs in the world, particularly those that originated in the realm of mid-century modern lighting.
In the late 1930s, after graduating from the acclaimed Polytechnic University of Milan, Pier Giacomo opened a design studio with his brother Livio and likeminded architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni. Achille, also a graduate of Milan Polytechnic, joined the group after completing his studies in 1944. The era’s architects were encountering difficulty in their attempts to secure building commissions, so the group focused on designing practical everyday objects such as the Model 547, a tabletop radio for Phonola that was encased in Bakelite.
The Castiglioni brothers produced wildly popular and innovative designs throughout the 20th century. While Livio departed the practice in 1952 to pursue lighting design and sound technology on his own, Pier Giacomo and Achille would continue to collaborate on a wealth of projects in the ensuing years.
Vintage furniture collectors may be familiar with Livio and Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini’s serpent-like Boalum lamp, while Achille’s Taraxacum hanging lamp — created for FLOS with sprayed plastic polymers originally intended for military use — as well as the Arco, Snoopy and Toio lamps, which were the result of the collaboration between Pier Giacomo and Achille, are milestones in modernist lighting design.
Also for FLOS, Pier Giacomo and Achille created a series of metal frames that, wrapped in the polymer, became floor lamps (Gatto) or pendant lights (Viscontea and Taraxacum), all released in 1960. The Gatto floor lamp takes its name from the Italian word for “cat” and the inspiration for its aesthetic from lighting that George Nelson developed for legendary American furniture manufacturer Howard Miller during the 1940s. Around the same time, the designer Tobia Scarpa (son of the famed Italian architect Carlo Scarpa and one-half of the widely revered postmodern husband-and-wife design duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa) created a floor lamp called Fantasma (1961) using the polymers technique. FLOS continues to make the Castiglionis’ innovative pieces today.
In addition to their provocative lighting works, Pier Giacomo and Achille also created stereo systems, decorative objects, seating, tables and other items for the likes of Brionvega, Alessi, Zanotta, Kartell and more.
Find vintage Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Rampa by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Karakter
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Berlin, DE
The depth given applies to the cabinet/secretaire being closed. The desk top measures 80cm in depth. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display...
Oak
$3,235
H 46.46 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...
Metal
Art Deco Secretaire Cabinet by Jules Deroubaix
By Jules Deroubaix
Located in North York, ON
This Jules Deroubaix display cabinet secretaire is timeless, functional, and effortlessly chic. Made of burl sandalwood, it showcases a drop door paneled wit...
Brass, Chrome
Italian Baroque Ebonized and Eglomise Bureau Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched top that may have held a bust at some point, over a middle section with drawers with reverse painted panels with scenes of ancient towns and ruins with a central mirr...
Pine
$43,950
H 57.88 in W 42.72 in D 15.16 in
Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron A chest on chest, the decorated cabinet rests atop a four drawer chest decorated with diamonds that ...
Walnut
Walnut and Brass Cabinet by Pierre Balmain, France, 1980s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Balmain; Fashion designer; French Design; 1980s; France; Cabinet; Sideboard; Secretaire; Mid-Century Modern; Paris; Walnut; Brass; Pierre Balmain walnut cabinet, an original design crafted by French designer Pierre Balmain himself in the 1980s. Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship that this stunning piece embodies. Meticulously constructed with a lustrous walnut veneer, this cabinet showcases the allure of natural wood grains, lending a touch of warmth and sophistication to any space. The use of premium materials ensures its durability and longevity, making it a valuable addition to your home. What sets this cabinet apart is its original mark and signature, an authentic testament to its prestigious lineage. Every detail has been carefully considered, including the brass lining that seamlessly incorporates the side panels with the top, exuding a harmonious blend of materials and textures. You'll find more remarkable designs from the Pierre Balmain collection...
Brass
Johannes Sorth Rosewood Shelving Unit for Bornholm
By Bornholm Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning rosewood cabinet by Johannes Sorth for Bornholm c.1960s, Denmark. The upper section of the piece features an open shelf with tambour sliding doors below. Inside the doors ar...
Rosewood
Unavailable|$1,212 / item
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi 'Trio' Corner Furniture by Karakter
By Aldo Bakker
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Corner Furniture designed by Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi in 1988. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be fill...
Wood
Etageres by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A well scaled Mid-Century Modern étagère in bleached walnut designed by Paul McCobb. The cabinet or shelf set is constructed in solid walnut wood and brass and features two separate ...
Brass
$1,212 / item
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi 'Trio' Corner Furniture by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Corner Furniture designed by Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi in 1988. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be fill...
Wood
$1,212 / item
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi 'Trio' Corner Furniture by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Corner Furniture designed by Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi in 1988. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be fill...
Wood
$2,023 / item
H 27.96 in W 11.82 in D 16.15 in
Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi 'Comodo' Versatile Storage Unit
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Versatile storage unit designed by Achille Castiglioni and Giancarlo Pozzi in 1988. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could b...
Wood
$1,482 / item
H 59.06 in W 41.34 in D 11.82 in
Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Libreria Pensile' by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelve designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1957. Originally designed in 1957, perfected over the years, and produced by Bernini in 1966. Seeking to pa...
Wood