As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, “There is no excuse for bad design.” His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.
Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogers’s vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistretti’s first architectural designs is a “poetic” round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.
When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his father’s architectural firm. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.
In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassina’s luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.
Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistretti’s Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.
“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralunga’s slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italy’s Compasso d’Oro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.
Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.
Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.
Stunning Coronado chairs in cognac leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa - B&B Italia
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Stunning & matching Coronado set in its original cognac leather. Perfect patina! Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The 'Coronado' lounge chair is designed by Afra & ...
Leather
Stunning cognac leather DS-35 lounge chairs by Team De Sede for De Sede Swiss
By De Sede
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
De Sede DS 35 High Back Lounge Chairs · Swiveling Executive Armchairs · Switzerland, 1970s Hand Crafted Cognac Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs with Signature Strap Stitching. Matching s...
Leather
Very nice set of 'MET 250' leather armchairs by Piero Lissoni for CASSINA Italy
By Cassina
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
An exquisite Italian set of designer armchairs that epitomizes contemporary sophistication with its sleek, geometric silhouette. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this p...
Leather
Vintage S15 Lounge Chairs in leather by Pierre Chapo - Atelier Chapo France 1967
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Pierre Chapo S15 Lounge Chairs, Atelier Chapo, France 1967 Solid Elmwood Lounge Chairs with Cognac Leather Cushions and Structural Strap Support A ra...
Leather
Stunning DS-P leather lounge swivel chairs by Robert Haussmann - De Sede Swiss
By De Sede
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
DS-P Executive Swivel Lounge Armchairs by Robert Haussmann for De Sede, Switzerland 1971 Camel Cognac Aniline Leather Lounge Chairs on Polished Chrome Swivel Bases Designed in 1971 ...
Leather
Tucroma lounge chair in cognac leather by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani
By Guido Faleschini
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Tucroma Cantilever Lounge Chair by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani Patinated Cognac Leather Lounge Chair on a Chrome Tubular Frame A refined expression of Italian modernism, the Tu...
Leather
Rossi di Albizzate lounge chairs in Cognac leather, Italy – 1970’s
By Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of Rossi di Albizzate Leather Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1970s An exceptional pair of sculptural lounge chairs by Rossi di Albizzate, showcasing the bold, organic aesthetic that def...
Foam, Leather
Post Modern Italian Leather Lounge Chairs in Butterscotch Carmel Leather c. 1980
By Mobil Girgi, Sapporo, Cassina, Mario Bellini, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Saint Louis, MO
If you want to live La Dolce Vita, do so in these incredibly stylish Italian Post Modern lounge chairs with surround oversized and overstuffed cushions in supple carmel leather. Designed to satisfy all the senses. Chic Italian looks from the front, back and side. Seriously comfortable VIP sitting experience. Italian leather upholstery with patina the sort only decades can deliver in a carmel color that compliments any color palette. These large wide vintage 1970s Italian chairs' tilted seat guides you back to experience an all enveloping seat back. Arched lower inseam breaks up the seat back cushion silhouette and adds depth and detail. It also serves to ventilate for prime comfort. Like puckered lips, top and bottom arm rest cushions slightly lean out and come together to form a seductive side profile. Note the seat cushion is large and oversized with sexy leather side pleats. It eagerly scrolls forward to please and meet the back of your knees with cushioned bliss. Experience the luxurious and stylish comfort of La Dolce Vita. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop - Custom Marble and Brass Geometric Screen from Viceroy Miami Cowhide Zebra Print Pillows...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Rossi di Albizzate lounge chairs in Cognac leather, Italy – 1970’s
By Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of Rossi di Albizzate Leather Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1970s An exceptional pair of sculptural lounge chairs by Rossi di Albizzate, showcasing the bold, organic aesthetic that def...
Leather, Foam
Rino Maturi Depositato Lounge Chairs in cognac leather for Mimo Padova, 1970s
By Mimo Padova
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rino Maturi lounge chairs, model Depositato for Mimo Padova, Italy, 1970s. Rare and elegant pair of club chairs in beautiful original condition. Foam base upholstered in soft and sup...
Leather, Foam
Pair of AEO Lounge Chairs by Paolo Deganello for Cassina in Cognac Leather, 70's
Located in LYON, FR
A rare pair of AEO armchairs designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina in Italy around the 1970s. These are the earliest versions. These iconic armchairs have recently been reupholste...
Steel
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Coronado' Lounge Chairs in Cognac Leather
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, pair of 'Coronado' lounge chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1966 The 'Coronado' lounge chair is designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B talia. The s...
Leather
