In partnership with his brothers Livio (1911–79) and Achille (1918–2002), Milanese industrial designer and architect Pier Giacomo Castiglioni played a role in creating 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. 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 Pier Giacomo Castiglioni floor lamps, table lamps, case pieces and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Azucena chairs made in Italy 1959
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Extremely rare minimalist side chairs model T12, designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Azucena, Italy 1959. Acquired from old stock directly from Azucen...
Steel
Set of 2 armchairs “Ginevra” by Achille and Pg. Castiglioni for BBB emmebonacina
By BBB Bonacchina, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Padova, IT
The Ginevra armchair by the Castiglioni brothers (primarily attributed to Achille Castiglioni) for BBB Emmebonacina (now BBB Italia) is a masterpiece of functionalist Italian design ...
Metal
$4,971 / set
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Set of 8 “Irma” Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Hellouw, NL
The "Irma" chair, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni in the 1970s and produced by the esteemed Italian furniture company Zanotta, stands as a timeless test...
Steel
$15,674 / set
H 27.56 in W 22.84 in D 18.51 in
Luigi Caccia Dominioni Set of Six Catilina Chairs in Steel and Fabric Azucena
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of six Catilina chairs with frame in painted steel, seat top in multi-layered wood, and upholstery-shaped polyurethane cushions covered with red fabric. This iconic seat was designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, and produced by Azucena since 1958. Luigi Caccia Dominioni firstly presents this seat at the XI Triennale in Milan in 1957 and from this moment Catilina became one of Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s classics. Caccia Dominioni created a new chair and also defined how to sit in it. Catilina is not designed for relaxation and letting go but for thoughtfulness and elegance. You could almost be transported back to ancient Rome ensconced in the seat of the Roman senator, Lucio Sergio Catilina, after whom the chair is named. In turn, the chair harks back to medieval thrones...
Steel
$505Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 23.23 in D 28.75 in
Set of two armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek for TON, 1960s.
By Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
This is a pair of armchairs designed by the architect Jaroslav Smidek and produced by the TON company during the 1960s, the armchairs have wooden armrests made of bent wood and fabr...
Fabric, Bentwood
$5,029 / set
H 26.78 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Safari Armchairs by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1970s, set of 2
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of cognac leather and wood armchairs by Carlo Hauner. Seat height: 25 cm. Wear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Leather, Wood
Achille Castiglioni, Armchair Model “Primate”, 1970
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, ES
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) Armchair model “Primate” Manufactured by Zanotta Italy, 1970 Leather, steel, resin base Measurements 45 cm x 47 cm x 79h cm 17.71 in x 18.5...
Steel
$9,942 / set
H 37.8 in W 33.08 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Sanluca Armchairs by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Gavina, 1960
By Gavina, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Vicenza, IT
These Sanluca armchairs by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Gavina, upholstered in deep blue velvet and produced in Italy during the 1960s, represent one of the most recognis...
Velvet, Ash, Beech
$13,098 / set
H 37.8 in W 33.08 in D 37.41 in
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Sanluca Armchair for Gavina, 1960, Set of 2
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Gavina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of Sanluca armchairs dating back to the first Gavina SpA production, with the original beige velvet upholstery. Each armchair is made of separate wooden curved pieces connected ...
Velvet, Foam, Beech
$3,616
H 40.16 in W 35.04 in D 36.62 in
Organic Vintage Sculptural Red Lounge Chair by Achille & Piero Castiglioni 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage San Luca sculptural lounge chair or armchair from leather in burnt red color Italy 1960s designed by Achille & Piero Castiglioni. This very comfortable organic ...
Leather
$23,394 / set
H 24.81 in W 35.44 in D 36.23 in
Carrera armchairs designed by De Pas D'Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Bonacina, 1969
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare Carrera armchairs designed by the design trio De Pas, D'Urbino, and Lomazzi for BBB Bonacina in 1969. Foam rubber padding, original fabric. Excellent condition. Jonathan De Pas...
Rubber, Cotton
$1,887 / item
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 23.23 in
Customizable Tacchini Babela Armchair by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Tacchini, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric. Designed in 1958 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Babela is an excellent example of how practicality and ...
Leather, Fabric, Plywood
$2,163
H 20.87 in W 16.93 in D 21.07 in
Modern Vintage Red Stool Mezzadro Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 1950 Italy
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern Italian vintage stool Mezzadro by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 1950s for Zanotta circa 1978. An iconic gorgeous stool from metal and beech in silver, red and brown color tones. This design icon Mezzadro designed 1950s and manufactured circa 1978 is an early example and in good condition with some signs of age and use, like corrosion and minor abrasions. Marked with the company's name underneath the seat. This splashy stool with a tractor seat in fresh red color brings a playful vibe into any interior and opens up your Traditional, Rustic or Contemporary interior. The Mezzadro stool features rural and simple elements and turned into a an iconic design piece, which is represented in many museums and collections. Easy removable seat, support rod from chromed metal and beechwood, all these simple elements forms a timeless and brightly statement piece. We love this stool in particular for its fresh vibe and we love to combine with Traditional desks...
Metal
$1,637Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.51 in
Irma Design Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s, Set of four
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Vintage design dining chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta model Irma. Black lacquered metal structures with leather seats and backs.
Metal