Pair of 'ALKY' armchairs design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli 1970
About the Item
- Creator:Anonima Castelli (Maker),Giancarlo Piretti (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 24.81 in (63 cm)Depth: 33.86 in (86 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. The upholstery fabric is new.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5974238536772
Alky Chair
In the 1960s, Giancarlo Piretti (b. 1940), who earned a degree in art education at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna and taught interior design, began working with the Italian manufacturer Castelli, where he would go on to produce some of the most popular chairs in the world. In 1969, he debuted the Alky, a sculptural, modernized riff on a slipper chair that appears to float above the ground.
Unlike most chairs, the Alky doesn’t have a distinctive base and seat; rather the entire form appears as one continuous piece, originally upholstered in velvet and wool and set on narrow, aluminum feet.
Much of Piretti’s popularity in the United States can be attributed to Castelli’s exhibition “The Piretti Collection” at the 1988 iteration of the NeoCon design exposition in Chicago. There, his ergonomic office seating earned him a slew of awards and led to increased global attention.
Compared to Piretti’s widely revered folding chairs and wheeling desk chairs (the Plia, of which millions have sold, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art; the DSC 106 is among Castelli’s best known), the Alky — no longer in production — is by far the most sumptuous design. Yet, as much as its shapely silhouette has made it a favorite of interior designers in residential and commercial spaces alike, it is also rooted in comfort. Its foam-covered back and seat give soft resistance, and the Alky chair’s organic shape perfectly cradles the sitter — a true mark of the modernist dedication to human-centric design.
Giancarlo Piretti
Giancarlo Piretti was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1940. He attended art schools there and subsequently taught Interior Design. During that time, he was also designing furniture for Anonima Castelli. He has won numerous awards and has items in many museums, including MoMA, New York. He still lives and works in Bologna with his son, designer Alessandro Piretti.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- ALKI armchair, design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Milan, ITAlki armchair, design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Italian manufacture. The armchair made with a metal structure and covered with sage green elastic fabric. Desi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 12 DSC 106 Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti, for Anonima CastelliBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Milan, ITSet of 12 vintage DSC 106 chairs from 1970 by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli. Aluminum frame, with lining in burgundy elastic fabric The trademark is present on the structur...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Vintage 1970s Armchairs, Design by Mario Bellini for Cassina ProductionBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in Milan, ITPair of vintage 1970s armchairs, Italian manufacture, design by Mario Bellini, Cassina production. The armchair has an orange leather upholster...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- Mid-Century modern italian 1970 Armchair Design by Mario Bellini for CassinaBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in Milan, IT1970s vintage armchair, Italian manufacture, design by Mario Bellini, Cassina production. The armchair has an orange leather upholstery Vintage design in good condition; but the leat...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller swivel seatBy Charles Emes, Herman MillerLocated in Milan, ITPair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s, with swivel seat. Aluminum structure with four legs, central part in black painted aluminium. Under the seat...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Set of two 'Pecorelle Armchiars' designed by Cini Boeri for Artflex, 1968By Arflex, Cini BoeriLocated in Milan, ITSet of two 'Pecorelle Armchiars' designed by Cini Boeri for Artflex, 1968 . The original armchairs in their shape have been reupholstered with an ocher fabric. The feet are made of w...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Alky Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lasne, BEArmchair in red fabric. Model: Alky. Seat height: 39 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set 2By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lasne, BEPair of alky chairs in red fabric. Seat height: 37cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set of 2By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated in Lasne, BEPair of Alky chairs in velvet with a label Anonima Castelli. Seat height: 39cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set of 2By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Lasne, BEPair of alky chairs in red fabric designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the 70s. Seat height: 37cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Modern Red Chairs Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo PirettiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Red chairs mod. Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s Pair of armchairs mod. Alky fully padded and covered in...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern Blue fabric Armchairs Alky by Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970sBy Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima CastelliLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Blue teddy fabric Armchairs Alky by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s Pair of armchair mod. Alky in blue teddy fabric. The monocoque structure is provided ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum