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.
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display stands...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the tr...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display stands...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the ...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the tr...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display stands...
Wood
Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 'Rampa' Multifunctional Station
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Multifunctional station on wheels designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Rampa, a multifunctional station on wheels from 1965, was inspired by the traditional florist’s display stands...
Wood
$56,057
H 76.78 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Modern Penedo Quartz Display Cabinet, Handmade in Poerugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Penedo Quartz Display Cabinet, Handmade in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple The Penedo quartz display cabinet captures the enduring beauty of nature’s landscapes,...
Onyx, Carrara Marble, Granite, Brass
19th Century French Vitrine of Kingwood and Gilt Bronze Mounts
By François Linke
Located in London, GB
A fine vitrine in the manner of Francois Linke Constructed in kingwood, with gilt bronze mounts, in the Louis XVI Transitional style; rising from bronze foliate sabots, with gent...
Marble, Bronze
Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Lacquer Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine Late 19th Century Transitional Style Gilt Bronze and Lacquer Vitrine Cabinet The large gilt bronze and all glass single door vitrine above a fine two door lacquered cabinet ...
Bronze
Pair Campaign Style Curio Display Cabinets by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
We are very pleased to offer a great pair of gorgeous, sleek and minimalist display cabinets made by the famous Henredon furniture makers, made in the USA. Part of Henredon’s early 1...
Brass
$11,156
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Striking Pair of Midcentury Style Brass and Colored Murano Glass Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
He and she pair of very fine handmade Cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and handcut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass ra...
Wood, Glass
Antique French Louis XV Walnut and Glass Vitrine Cabinet, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XV walnut and glass vitrine cabinet, Circa 1880.
Walnut
$7,200
H 81 in W 59.75 in D 18 in
Barbara Barry for Henredon Vitrine Cabinet with Glass Doors and Shelves
By Barbara Barry, Henredon
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Barbara Barry for Henredon wooden bow front vitrine cabinet from the late 20th century with oval motifs, glass doors and glass shelves. Designed by Barbara Barry for Henredon during the later years of the 20th century, this wooden cabinet features a thin curving cornice sitting above two bow-front glass doors, adorned with thin oval motifs and fitted with a single brass pull. These doors open to reveal four glass in wooden frames inner shelves offering convenient display opportunities. The ensemble is raised on four short tapered feet. The décor on the side shows great restraint as it is left bare and the back is simply planked. With its clean lines and modern design, this Barbary Barry for Henredon vintage vitrine...
Glass, Wood
Pair of Burl Wood, Brass and Glass Showcase Curio Cabinets
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of china vitrine cabinets by Tomlinson are an excellent example of their timeless quality and design. This rectangular top cabinet features two doors with glass panels and brass...
Brass
$14,550 / set
H 84 in W 36 in D 16 in
Pair Modern Black Lacquered & Brass Curio Display Cabinets by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of modern Mastercraft black lacquered, brass and glass display cabinets or vitrines. These beautiful cabinets feature a burnished brass over a black lacquered frame, three adjus...
Brass
$5,996Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 77.5 in W 32 in D 15.25 in
Vintage Display Cases Vitrines by American of Martinsville, Set of 3
By American of Martinsville
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 3 vintage display cases...
Brass
$130,342
H 106.7 in W 92.52 in D 20.48 in
Large Second Empire Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Large second Empire gilt bronze and marquetry display cabinet French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 271cm, width 235cm, depth 52cm ...
Ormolu
$12,500 / set
H 82.25 in W 30 in D 18 in
Pair of Henredon Black Lacquered and Brass Display Cabinets/Vitrines
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional pair of tall 1970s black lacquer and brass vitrines by Henredon. Featuring clean lacquered frames with brass trim on the doors. The cabinets feature beveled glass sides a...
Brass