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.
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Large Opaline Murano Glass Table Lamp by Oluce
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, ES
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 lamp...
Murano Glass
Estudio Blanch Simplisima Floor Lamp by Metalarte, circa 1970
By Metalarte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Floor lamp Simplisima designed by Estudio Blanch. Manufactured by Metalarte from Spain, circa 1970. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a ...
Metal
Konsthantverk 1417-8 KNEKT, Matte Black, Raw Brass Lamp Available Now
By Konsthantverk Tyringe 1
Located in Barcelona, ES
1417-8 KNEKT Floor Lamp - Swedish Craftsmanship by Konsthantverk Matte Black & Raw Brass Design Description: Experience the blend of modern elegance and timeless Swedish crafts...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Fase, Lacquered Metal, Spain, 1960
By Fase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Table lamp, designed and manufactured by Fase Spain. It features a lacquered metal structure and shade. In a good vintage condition, though the diffuser glass is missing.
Metal
Serge Mouille One-Arm Standing Lamp in Black Steel, Mid-Century Modern
By Serge Mouille
Located in Barcelona, ES
Serge Mouille Mid-Century Modern Black One-Arm Standing Lamp Standing lamp model "one-arm standing lamp" designed by Serge Mouille in 1953. Manufactured by Editions Serge Mouille ...
Brass, Steel, Aluminum
Lampe Gras No. 201 Table Lamp by Bernard-Albin Gras, France, 1930
By Lampe Gras
Located in Barcelona, ES
Table lamp Lampe Gras No. 201 designed by Bernard-Albin Gras. Manufactured by Gras (France), circa 1930. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pr...
Aluminum
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Small Metal Satin Bronze 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 lamp, winning the Compasso d’Oro in 1979 and completely revolutionising the way we imagine the classic bedside lamp. The geometric shapes that compose it - cylinder, cone and hemisphere - have resulted in a product that is decorative and essential at the same time, disconnected from the historical period and the fashions of the moment, and one that has now fully become one of the icons of Italian design. Materials and color: Metal satin bronze Dimensions: D 25 cm x W 25 cm x H 35 cm Technical information: 2 x max 40 W (E14) This lamp is wired for Europe, if used in US or any other country the client will need to convert it. Founded in 1945, Oluce is the oldest Italian design company in the lighting sector still in operation today. Oluce lighting’s design aesthetic is crisp, linear, and decorative. A subtle, intellectual beauty that over the years has led the company to produce some of the more recognizable and admired iconic lighting in the world. Oluce, already participating at the 9th Triennale in Milan, throughout its long history, has received numerous acknowledgements including two Golden Compass awards, two Design Awards and the Gold Medal at the 13th Triennale in Milan. Its lamps appear in the most important permanent design collections worldwide. Oluce’s expertise reveals its unparalleled manufacturing excellence which transforms into objects an untiring technological research into the potential of light. Each lamp is a milestone along this journey. Over time, from unusual materials, original designs and new lighting sources ensued revolutionary iconic designs by Tito Agnoli, Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso, Ostuni e Forti, and Vico Magistretti, who since the 1950s, have been rewriting the history of lighting. Recent collections reaffirm Oluce design and decorative approach, expressed through the signs by Italian and international designers such as Angeletti & Ruzza, Francesco Rota, Nendo, Victor Vasilev...
Metal
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Medium Metal Satin Bronze 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 lamp...
Metal
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Large Metal Satin Bronze 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 lamp...
Metal
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Large Metal Satin Bronze 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...
Metal
Vico Magistretti 'Atollo' Large Metal Satin Bronze 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 lamp...
Metal
Oluce Atollo 238 Bronze Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 238 Bronzo table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic lighting designs in contemporary Italian design, defined by its pure geometric lan...
Metal
