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.
Large Mid-Century Cocoon Pendant Lamp by Castiglioni for Hille, Italy, 60s
By Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Lucija, SI
Stunning Large Mid Century round Cocoon Pendant Lamp Designed by Achille Castiglioni and produced by Hille in Italy in the 60s
Metal
'Viscontea' Pendant by Achille & Pier Castiglionni
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brussels, BE
Cocoon pendant called 'Viscontea' by Achille and Pier Castiglionni for Flos 1960's first edition. Very warm light diffuser. Nice sculptural shape
Resin
Hans Bergstrom by Atelje Lyktan, Cocoon Ceiling Pendant Resin Chandelier Flos
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Cocoon' pendant in resin and steel. This lovely pendant lamp was designed by Hans Bergstrom in Italy in the 1950s. This iconic piece features a round shade made in a natural soft re...
Resin
Viscontea pendant lamp by Achille and Piergiacomo Castiglioni, Flos 1960
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Renens, CH
The Viscontea is the result of Castiglioni's experiments with cocoon resin in the sixties which led also to the creation of the famous Gatto and Taraxacum lamps who like the Visconte...
Resin
Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light, Flos
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Viscontea A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated ...
Metal
Mid-Century Round Cocoon Pendant Lamp, 1960s, Italy
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is a cocoon hanging lamp crafted in Italy during the 1960s, showcasing the elegance and innovation of mid-century Italian design. The lamp features a strikingly beautiful round ...
Resin
$6,707
H 47.25 in Dm 26.78 in
Viscontea Pendant Cocoon Light by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Viscontea Pendant Cocoon Light by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1960s Stunning "Viscontea" vintage pendant light of the early editions. Designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo ...
Metal
$4,236
H 40.16 in Dm 10.24 in
Brass Floor Lamp designed by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan, Sweden, 1950s
By Hans Bergström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp designed by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan, Sweden, 1950s. Brass with a fabric shade. Stamped. Measurements: H: 102 cm / 3' 4'' D: 26 cm / 10 1/4'' Diameter of shade...
Brass
FLOS Frisbi Pendant Light in Black by Achille Castiglioni
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its name invokes the iconic toy best played in a park, but this light is seriously smart. Offering three types of illumination—diffused, direct, and reflected—the FRISBI doubles down designed Achille Castiglioni’s ability to play with the power of illusion. Three barely-there, fine steel cables suspend the opal acrylic diffuser, making it appear as it if it is floating. A black metal stem and wire mesh basket...
Steel
Castiglioni Large Viscontea Style Cocoon Italian Pendant Light
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous large "Viscontea" style cocoon pendant in fabulous conditions. This charming chandelier was designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and produced Italy. In pristin...
Metal, Steel
Swedish Pendants in Brass and Glass by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan
By Ateljé Lyktan, Hans Bergström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Midcentury pendants in brass and frosted opaline glass by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan, Sweden, 1950s. This great looking pendant is made with the quality and details that Hans B...
Brass
$1,323
H 10.44 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, Italy, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, Italy, 1960s.
Resin
1960s Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo 'Light Ball' Table Lamp
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo 'Light Ball' Table Lamp. Originially designed in 1965 as a wall lamp, this rare table lamp variant is executed in attractively patinated bras...
Brass
$1,529
H 7.49 in Dm 14.57 in
Achille Castiglioni Mid-Century Beige Flat Dome "Cocoon" Pendant, Italy 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century dome-shaped Cocoon pendant light in beige resin and steel. This gorgeous ceiling light was designed by Achille Castiglioni and produced in Italy during the 1960...
Metal, Steel
FLOS Frisbi Pendant Light in Nickel by Achille Castiglioni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its name invokes the iconic toy best played in a park, but this light is seriously smart. Offering three types of illumination—diffused, direct, and reflected—the FRISBI doubles down designed Achille Castiglioni’s ability to play with the power of illusion. Three barely-there, fine steel cables suspend the opal acrylic diffuser, making it appear as it if it is floating. A black metal stem and wire mesh basket...
Steel
$2,393
H 25.6 in Dm 19.69 in
Iconic "Taccia" Table Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An iconic piece of Italian design, this Taccia table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos. It has been gently displayed only in a showroom window for a short period,...
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-Century Large Beige Round Cocoon Pendant, Italy 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century Pendant with a gorgeous, uniform beige patina. This timeless and incredibly unique piece was made in Italy during the 1960s. In amazing condition, with no tear...
Metal, Steel
Cocoon Pendant Lamp Designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 60s
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Lucija, SI
Mid Century cocoon pendant lamp designed by the Castiglioni brothers in the 60s. and produce by Flos. The lamp is in great condition with minor signs of use and age (see photos), wor...
Resin
Sold
H 20.48 in Dm 26.38 in
Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Viscontea A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shad...
Metal
Sold
H 20.48 in Dm 26.38 in
Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Viscontea A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shade. Produced by Flos, Italy. 1960s. Literature Domus n373, December 1960, p.129 Domus n411, February 1964, p.23 Ottagono n2, July 1966, p.17 Giuliana Gramigna, Repertorio 1950/1980, Arnaldo Mondadori Editore, Milano, 1985, p.162 Sergio Polano, Achille Castiglioni, Pall Mall, 2012, p.176-177 Charlotte & Peter Fiell, 1000 Lights, Taschen, 2015, p.349. Note The Flos company was founded in Merano, by Cesare Cassina and Dino Gavina, at the beginning of the 60s. Inspired by the desire to propose innovative lighting products, they were joined by young talented designers such Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Their first creations were made possible by one of Flos associates, Arturo Eisenkel, who had imported a new polymer coating originally produced in the United States. The cocoon resin was sprayed on a metal frame allowing daring shapes on a very light structure. Using this technique, the Scarpa duo created the Fantasma floor lamp and the Nuvola pendant light, while the Castiglioni brothers offered the Taraxacum and the Viscontea pendant...
Metal
Sold
H 98.82 in W 79.14 in D 11.03 in
Italian Arco Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo for Flos, 1960s
By Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in bruxelles, BE
Floor lamp in metal and marble adjustable. trace of wear (see photo)
Carrara Marble, Metal