A modern Renaissance man, Italian designer Carlo di Carli wove his personal philosophy into his furniture creations. He believed that furniture should suit human movement and the surrounding environment, and each piece was made not only with an eye to form but also for everyday practicality. In today’s interiors, vintage di Carli furniture captures the extraordinary essence of Italian mid-century modernism.
Carlo di Carli was born in Milan in 1910. He studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan and developed an interest in design, architecture, writing and philosophy. After graduating in 1934, he worked under revered Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Shortly afterward, di Carli opened a studio with furniture maker Renato Angeli. In 1940, he began a relationship with the Milan Triennial design and art museum, where he eventually joined the board of directors.
Most of di Carli's furniture and architectural works came to fruition between the 1940s and 1970s. His architectural projects included the Church of Saint Ildefonso and the Via dei Giardini 7 building in Milan. However, di Carli is best known for his chair and table designs.
What sets di Carli’s chairs and other seating apart from those of other designers is that they are made to be lived in. As a result, his comfortable, functional and inviting designs earned the attention of leading Italian furniture companies like Cassina, Singer & Sons, Tecno and GUBI, and he played a significant role in 20th-century Italian furniture design.
In 1954, di Carli was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for his Cassina Model 683 chair. In 1957, he also won a Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial exhibition for a chair he designed for Tecno. Still committed to his academic pursuits, di Carli served as dean of the architecture faculty at the Polytechnic University of Milan from 1963 to 1968. He continued teaching until 1986 and continued writing until his death in 1999. His most important writings were published in a book titled Architettura, Spazio Primario.
Find vintage Carlo di Carli armchairs, dining chairs and coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Carlo de Carli for Sormani
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Carlo de Carli for Sormani add elegant vintage Italian style to home or office seat...
Leather, Palisander
Wonderful No. 802 Lounge Chair by Carlo de Carli / 3 Available
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Munich, DE
A iconic Italien lounge chair and carlo de carli´s most recognized design.
Naugahyde
$4,612Sale Price|30% Off
Carlo de Carli Bicolored Armchair Model N. 802 by Cassina, 1954
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
Carlo de Carli armchair, model n. 802 manufactured by Cassina, Italy, 1954. The wooden frame with foam upholstery rests on elastic ribbons. The armchair was reupholstered and cov...
Silk, Velvet, Fruitwood
$6,118Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 37.41 in
Sormani Carlo De Carli Pair of Armchairs Black Leather Italian Design, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Sormani Carlo de Carli pair of armchairs back leather Italian design, 1960s.
Brass, Chrome
$6,589 / set
H 31.5 in W 30.71 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 802 Armchairs by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, 1950s
Wood
$7,500 / set
H 28 in W 25.5 in D 32 in
Rare Pair of Aluminum Lounge Chairs by Hannah/Morrison for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely stunning pair of the iconic lounge chair designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll, circa 1970s. Aluminum with polished stainless steel accents. This rare ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Gio Ponti Armchair, Model 803 by Cassina, Italy, 1954
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare armchair was designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Italy in 1954. The model was numbered 803 and is one of the most iconic and recognizable Ponti designs produced ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$8,010
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Lounge Chair by Giancarlo De Carlo, Italy, 1954
By Giancarlo De Carlo
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Rare lounge chair model by the well-known architect Giancarlo De Carlo. The design was part of a shop fitting that De Carlo and Massimo Vignelli implemented in Bari in 1954. Very goo...
Steel
Poltrona Tria Lounge Chair in Rattan by Carlo de Carli for GUBI
By Carlo di Carli, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poltrona Tria Lounge Chair in Rattan by Carlo de Carli for GUBI Seamlessly merging the inherent beauty and charm of natural rattan with meticulous ergonomic precision, the Poltrona ...
Upholstery, Rattan
$7,500 / set
H 33.75 in W 18 in D 18.5 in
Set of 6 Chairs Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Walnut
By Cassina, Carlo di Carli
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 chairs Mod. 693, Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina. Solid walnut, chairs have been recently recovered in a charcoal grey cotton velvet. Ready for a new home.
Faux Leather, Walnut
Pair of Carlo de Carli "D90" Beds for Sormani
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of very rare Model D90 beds by Carlo de Carli (1910-1999) for Sormani in 1962. Would be wonderful as daybeds for additional sofa seating. What makes these beds literally unique ...
Brass, Chrome, Nickel
$9,076 / set
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Carlo de Carli Model 806 Chairs, Produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Carlo de Carli Model 806 armchairs, produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950s. Oak legs with dark grey (with a hint of brown) 100% mohair fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Fabric, Oak
$7,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 24 in D 30 in
Italian Modern Carlo de Carli Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Walnut and Leather
By Carlo di Carli, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Italian walnut lounge chair and ottoman designed by Carlo de Carli for M. Singer & Sons. Features a highly sculpted, ladder-back fra...
Metal
Pair De Carli Armchairs, Rare 1940's Design
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Berlin, DE
These chairs with armrests were designed by Carlo de Carli in the 40's, which makes them very rare. The upholstery is with high-quality velvet by DEDAR MILANO is completely new. The ...
Wood, Walnut
$4,530 / set
H 33.86 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
Lounge chair in pink velvet and chrome, Carlo de Carli for Cinova
By Carlo di Carli
Located in amstelveen, NL
Carlo De Carli for Cinova, lounge chair model '915' with ottoman, metal, chrome, fabric, Italy, 1969. Tubular armchair with ottoman designed by Carlo De Carli in 1969, manufactured ...
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Italian Midcentury Club Chairs Carlo De Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
Early pair of club chairs by Carlo De Carli. Sculpted lines slightly pitched back and down with spacious seats very comfortable for all. Italian midcentury lounge chairs. Newly cover...
Velvet
Club Chair by Carlo DI Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of armchairs by Italian architect and designer Carlo de Carli. Carlo de Carli incorporated details into his designs that suggested movement as shown in these particular chairs...
Bronze
Carlo de Carli Italian Midcentury Chair
By Carlo di Carli
Located in bari, IT
A nice chair by an icon of midcentury Italian design Carlo De Carli.
Iron
Sold
H 33 in W 22.25 in D 22.25 in
Carlo De Carli Model 162 Sculpted Walnut and Leather Armchairs, Italy circa 1953
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional pair of Italian model 162 armchairs designed in 1953 by Carlo De Carli for Cassina and retailed through M. Singer and Sons. The chairs...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 37.41 in
Lush Armchairs in Original Leather by Carlo de Carli for Sormani, 1966
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Milan, IT
A pair of armchairs in original cream colored leather designed by the illustrious Carlo de Carli for Sormani in the year 1966. The structure in wood has been extremely well-kempt an...
Brass
Carlo De Carli Lounge Chair for Cassina, Model 802
By Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
Very comfortable this is one of the most successful styles created by Carlo De Carli for Cassina in 1954 and later also manufactured by Singers & Sons with metal legs. It is featured...
Pair of Carlo de Carli Club Chairs for Singer & Sons
By Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic pair of Mid-Century Italian club chairs custom upholstered in a chartreuse cotton velvet on polished brass legs.
Brass
Pair of Carlo De Carli armchairs model "802", renewed, 1953
By Carlo di Carli, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Carlo De Carli armchairs model "802", renewed, 1953
Wood, Upholstery