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.
Writing Desk by Carlo de Carli, Walnut, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Writing Desk by Carlo di Carli, Walnut, 1950s Carlo Di Carli (1910–1999) was an influential Italian architect, designer, and educator, widely recognized for his contributions to mod...
Wood
$49,394
Table Carlo de Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Berlin, DE
Italian designer and architect Carlo de Carli is the designer of this extraordinary desk. It is a unique piece. Made from stained walnut, the structure is constructed from tubular st...
Brass
$2,450
H 30 in W 78.75 in D 39.375 in
Mid-Century Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries, 1950s
By Coen de Vries, EEKA, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Dutch mid-century modern design, this executive desk was designed by Friso Kramer and Coen de Vries for EEKA (Eindhovense Eisen- en Kantoorartikelenfabriek) in ...
Steel
Milo Baughman, Rare Desk, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Glenn of California, Milo Baughman
Located in High Point, NC
A rare walnut and brass desk designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Brass
$3,200
H 22 in W 22.5 in D 26 in
Carlo de Carli for Singer & Sons Two-Tiered Side Table with Drawer in Walnut
By Carlo di Carli, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made over 70 years ago in Italy, this side table was designed by Italian architect Carlo Di Carli for limited production by Singer and Sons. Like most of Di Carli's designs, this mod...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Mainline
By Mainline by Hooker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, functional, and full of mid-century quality, this vintage writing desk by Mainline stands out with its rich walnut woodgrain and stylish design. Spacious compartments allow ...
Walnut
$2,116
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 13.39 in
Italian Midcentury Mahogany Wood and Glass Console Table by Carlo de Carli 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
A splendid example of linear style typical of Italian design in the 1950s and 1960s. Mahogany console in excellent condition, suitable for any environment; essential and elegant in ...
Brass
$7,644
H 29.14 in W 65.36 in D 33.08 in
Ole Wanscher Style Writing Desk of Rosewood by Geog Kofoeds Møbeletabl. 1950s
By Georg Kofoed, Ole Wanscher
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Free standing writing desk of rosewood with oil treatment and lacquer most likely designed by Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). The desk can be used from both sides. The manager side is cr...
Brass
$4,000
H 19.3 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mid Century Wood and Glass Spider Coffee Table by Carlo De Carli, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Italian Mid-Century Modern wood, glass top coffee low cocktail table or gueridon by Carlo de Carli. In the mood of Vittorio Dassi, Osvaldo Borsani, Gianfranco Frattini, Ico Parisi, G...
Glass, Wood
1950s French oak writing desk
Located in London, Lambeth
Simple designed writing desk with 4 storage draws with centre locking draw.With Concealed handles design, showing excellent execution of function and form. oak frame tapered legs .C...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, Carlo de Carli, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, Carlo de Carli, 1960s
Wood
Carlo de Carli Spider Table
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Carlo De Carli "Ragno" spider table Italy, circa 1950's New glass with Sculptural lines and brass tipped feet. Wonderful classic design.
Walnut
$4,353
H 28.75 in Dm 47.25 in
Dining Table with a Portuguese Pink Marble Top in the style of Carlo De Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
It features a Portuguese pink marble top and an ebonized Canaletto walnut pedestal. This table is perfect for 6 people. It may show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it ...
Marble
Italian Modernist Walnut and Brass Writing Desk, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Uithoorn, NL
This one-of-a-kind Italian desk in walnut with brass details is a rare and authentic piece of craftsmanship from the 1940s–50s. Handmade rather than produced in series, it combines ...
Brass
Carlo De Carli Walnut Desk, Italy / C.1950
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Montréal, QC
: Carlo De Carli was a pivotal 20th-century architect and designer, renowned for his significant contributions to design and education in Italy, Graduating from Politecnico di Milan ...
Walnut
Architectural Desk In Walnut By Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950's
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Hellouw, NL
Architectural Desk in walnut by Carlo De Carli.This desk has a very solid and a kind of determined look with the unmistakable charm of the Italian design of the fifties. According to...
Walnut
Rare Desk by Carlo de Carli
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Albany, NY
A rare desk Manufactured by Cassina Date made: 1950 Material: walnut Size: H 30.5” x L 63” x D 28.5” Origin: Italy.
Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 68.9 in D 46.46 in
Carlo de Carli Important Desk in Wood Glass and Brass, 1950s Published
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Milano, IT
Important and rare desk by Carlo de Carli of the 1950s. With this desk Carlo de Carli poses the problem of overcoming a strictly rationalist approach and tries to give new life to his furniture with new forms, provoked vital suggestions such as movement, speed. The realizations of De Carli in fact are very angular, sharp and dynamic, given also by a geometric balance. In fact the desk is a constant geometric game between balance and dynamism. The desk is made of an elegant solid wood, well worked and with superlative geometric games. We find a thick glass as a work surface. Just below the tabletop we notice two visible drop-down shelves for storing objects or books. Focal point, in addition to its elegant lines, we find its brass details, where trapezoidal shaped handles and brass tips as feet. The handles are placed in two small chests of drawers with drawers on the sides of the desk. We enclose publication. An object definitely for a few, from the great aesthetic taste, where only collectors can admire its beauty in total. Carlo de Carli Carlo de Carli (Milan, November 7, 1910 - Milan, March 3, 1999) was an Italian architect, designer, essayist and academic, one of the protagonists of modern architecture, Industrial Design, and their teaching. In his projects of interior architecture spaces are articulated and related as a unitary whole capable of receiving and telling. This 'sense' of space characterizes the Franzi leather goods store (1946), the Roditi and Galli apartments (1949-1950) and the installations in the Ambrosiana Library (1952) in Milan. In 1958 the entrance hall to the Hall of the Council of Europe at the Expo in Brussels is an extraordinary space for meeting and telling the story of the IDEA of Freedom through the ages. In 1965, at the exhibition "La casa abitata" at Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, he sets up a living space on two levels with furniture unified by the use of a single wooden planking.Elements of furniture At the same time, he designed numerous pieces of furniture that went into production with Cassina (the chair mod. 683 won the first Compasso d'Oro in 1954), Tecno (the Poltroncina Balestra is Grand Prize of the XI Triennale, 1957), Sormani, Longhi, Cinova and various other artisan and Industrial companies. Carlo de Carli's figure as an architect identifies with the ancient figure...
Brass
Carlo de Carli Italian Walnut Desk with Ashlars, 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful desk designed by Carlo de Carli, 1950. Of great beauty and design, the desk is made entirely of walnut wood. The great particularity are its ashlars present at the beginnin...
Walnut
Minimal and Rational Desk in Maple in the Manner Carlo De Carlo
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimal and rational desk in Maple in the Manner Carlo De Carlo, modern lines and contemporary, glass top very often, geometric and adorable design.
Glass, Wood
Carlo de Carli Streamlined Desk with Cassina Armchair, 1953
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
Rare Carlo de Carli desk with armchair, 1953 laquered wood, painted glass, velvet. The armchair is model n. 162 produced by F.lli Cassina. Meas...
Velvet, Glass, Wood