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.
$2,551 / item
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Large White Glass Table Lamp by Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has become the archetype of the table l...
Opaline Glass
$1,086 / item
H 13.78 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Small White Glass Table Lamp by Oluce
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has become the archetype of the table ...
Opaline Glass
1970s EARLY Edition of Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Table Lamp for Oluce, Italy
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Praha, CZ
- cleaned and rewired - good original condition with some signs of age and use on lacquered surface - 1x , E12-E14 bulb - US wiring compatible
Glass
Large Early Atollo Table Lamp in White Lacquered Steel by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early production white enameled steel table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti. This example was purchased by the original owner, an architect, in London in the 1980s. It has been with that one owner ever since. Beautiful example in very good to excellent condition. Wired for American outlets. Signed O-Luce...
Steel
$1,488 / item
H 15.75 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Mid Century Modern White Table Lamp 'Zanuso' White by Marco Zanuso for Oluce
By Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Marco Zanuso in 2013. Table lamp giving diffused light. Opal PMMA diffuser rotating on the base. Painted metal curved support and base. Manufactured by Oluce, ...
Metal
$4,725
H 27.56 in Dm 19.69 in
Vico Magistretti Atollo Table Lamp in White Lacquered Metal by Oluce 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Atollo table lamp in white lacquered metal, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 and produced by Oluce. Source bulb: 2 x max 100 W E27 - universal dimmer Atollo has emerged as the...
Metal
Large Snow Table lamp by Vico Magistretti for O-luce, 1970s
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Large Snow table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973 and manufactured by O-luce. The table lamp features a round base in white marble, a black metal stem and an opal methacrylate cone shaped shade. The end of the stem is shaped like a ball and contains the two light bulb holders (E27, maximum 60W). The shade rests by gravity only, without the use of screws. The Snow series consists of a pendant, floor lamp and a table lamp. According to Archivio Vico Magistretti Snow...
Marble, Metal
Atollo Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, 1977, 1st edition
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in bruxelles, BE
First edition of the Atollo 233 lamp by Vico Magistretti, produced in 1977. Dimmer to adjust light intensity. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST...
Aluminum
Vico Magistretti, Snow 201, Table lamp, O'luce, Italy, 1974
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Paris, FR
Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) Snow 201 A metal and methacrylate table lamp, the white methacrylate conical shade resting on a black lacquered metal sphere issuing two light bulbs on...
Metal
Large Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Opaline Glass Table Lamp For Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' opaline glass table lamp for Oluce. Originally designed in 1977, this iconic re-edition is still crafted by Oluce in Italy using many of the origina...
Metal
