Milanese designer and architect Achille Castiglioni sought to inject personality into all of his work, and found deep inspiration in everyday objects. A legend of Italian mid-century modernism, he created iconic, universally loved table lamps, chairs and other lighting and furniture with his likeminded brothers during the postwar years.
There was the Snoopy lamp, which brings to mind the unmistakable Peanuts character, while the shape of a common street lamp inspired the design behind the Arco floor lamp. Elsewhere, the Toio floor lamp — a provocative fixture in any living room — was made with automotive parts as well as run-of-the-mill recreational gear.
Castiglioni studied the classics at Liceo Classico Giuseppe Parini, art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and finally architecture and design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. After graduating in 1944, Castiglioni began working with his brothers Pier Giacomo and Livio at the studio they cofounded with classmate Luigi Caccia Dominioni.
Livio left to pursue lighting design and sound technology, leaving Achille and Pier Giacomo to continue to collaborate on various projects. One such design was the iconic Taraxacum hanging lamp for FLOS which featured a resin “cocoon” created with sprayed plastic polymers that protects its steel core and allows for the diffusion of light.
Castiglioni won Italy’s highest award for industrial design — the Compasso d’Oro — seven times, and the Museum of Modern Art was home to his first individual retrospective in the United States. Castiglioni later taught at the Polytechnic University of Turin and at Polytechnic in Milan.
Castiglioni’s designs remain timeless. Some of them can be found in Tokyo’s Living Design Center Ozone, the Triennale di Milano and the Hangaram Art Museum at the Seoul Arts Center.
Find vintage Achille Castiglioni lighting, seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Turquoise by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Turquoise by Achille Castiglioni Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this pla...
Stainless Steel
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Violet by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Lampadina LED Table Lamp in Violet by Achille Castiglioni Its name means, literally, “bulb,” and it’s easy to see why with one look at this playfu...
Stainless Steel
Flos Céramique Down Table Lamp in Moss Green
By Flos, Ronan Bouroullec
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ronan Bouroullec, Céramique is a family of lamps that puts the spotlight on the quality of workmanship of the material. The «Céramique» lamp collection was designed by R...
Ceramic
FLOS Snoopy Table Lamp in Green by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masterful table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni gets a dazzling makeover. Collectors now have a new reason to cherish the Snoopy table lamp by Achille and Pier Gi...
Marble, Steel
Flos Céramique Table Lamp by Ronan Bouroullec in Moss Green, Italy
By Ronan Bouroullec, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ronan Bouroullec, Céramique is a family of lamps that puts the spotlight on the quality of workmanship of the material. The «Céramique» lamp collection was designed by R...
Ceramic
Snoopy Table Lamp in Green by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp giving direct light with enamelled metal reflector and white Carrara's marble base. It was designed by Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1967. Additional information:...
Marble, Steel
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Green
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Green The 'PH 3½-2½' table lamp is based on Poul Henningsen's original drawings from the late ...
Metal
Alain Richard 'A21' Desk Lamp in Green for Disderot
By Alain Richard, Disderot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alain Richard 'A21' desk lamp in green for Disderot. Executed in green painted metal, this newly produced numbered edition with included certificate of authenticity is made in Franc...
Metal, Chrome
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Green and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in green and black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mi...
Aluminum
Nemo Pivotante À Poser E26 Table Lamp in Sage Green by Charlotte Perriand
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Innovative design for the 50s but still a contemporary table lamp. The lighting output is adjusted by the opening or closure of the volets. Its cylindrical body opens on two sides on...
Steel
Alain Richard 'A22' Desk Lamp in Green for Disderot
By Alain Richard, Disderot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alain Richard 'A22' Desk Lamp in Green for Disderot. Executed in green painted metal, this newly produced numbered edition with included certificate of authenticity is made in Franc...
Metal, Chrome
Contemporary Table Lamp 'Flip' by Sebastian Herkner X AGO, Green
By AGO Lighting, Sebastian Herkner
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary 'Flip' Table lamp by Sebastian Herkner x AGO Lighting, Green Materials: - Aluminum - Vegan leather Dimensions: H. 45,5 cm x 26 cm x 20 cm Light Source: E12 Watt: Max...
Aluminum
