Italian Midcentury Black Wood Golem Chairs, Vico Magistretti, Carlo Poggi, 1968
About the Item
- Creator:Succ. Carlo Poggi (Manufacturer),Vico Magistretti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 22.05 in (56 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Wood,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1968
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860234664142
Vico Magistretti
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Italian Set of Red Villabianca Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1985By Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern set of red and black Villabianca chairs by V. Magistretti for Cassina, 1985 Set of 4 Villabianca chairs, with round section beech frame and graphic line o...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Italian mid-century modern Chair Carimate by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970sBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century modern Chair Carimate by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Chair mod. Carimate in white lacquered wood with glossy finish and seat, padded and covered in red f...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Italian mid-century modern chairs 122 by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1960sBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century modern chairs 122 by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1960s Set of four chairs mod. 122 with brown leather seat. The structure is entirely made of wood, the backrest...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970By Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s Set of 6 iconic and fantastic chairs mod. Gaudi in green plastic monocoque. The backrest and seat ar...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Sedie Selene italiane, plastica nera lucida, Vico Magistretti per Artemide 1960sBy Vico Magistretti, ArtemideLocated in MIlano, ITSedie Selene, di modernariato italiano, interamente in plastica nera lucida, disegnate da Vico Magistretti per Artemide nel 1960s. Coppia sedie modello Selene con struttura a monosco...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Italian modern black leather pouf Maralunga Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970sBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Black leather pouf Maralunga Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Pouf mod. Maralunga with rectangular base entirely in black leather. The seat is made up of a padded c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- Golem chair by Vico Magistretti for Poggi 60s, 70sBy Poggi, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Padova, ITLudovico "Vico" Magistretti (Milan, 6 October 1920 - Milan, 19 September 2006) was one of the most important Italian designers, architect and urban planner. His clean and essential d...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Vico Magistretti Black Leather Golem Dining Chairs for Pozzi, 1968, Set of 8By Vico Magistretti, PoggiLocated in Vicenza, ITSet of 8 Golem chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by the Italian brand Poggi in 1968. Excellent vintage condition. This design creation speaks for itself. It...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Set of Four SD51 "Golem" Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy, 1960sBy Vico Magistretti, PoggiLocated in Argelato, BOThe Golem chair, with a high backrest in lacquered wood, was born, as Magistretti states, from the desire to pay homage to the designer Mackintosh, after visiting an exhibition on th...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Sedie modello ''Golem'' di Vico Magistretti per Poggi, 1960s, set di 6By Vico Magistretti, PoggiLocated in Quarrata, ITSedie di Vico Magistretti prodotte da Poggi, in Italia, negli anni '60. Struttura in legno laccato marrone originale e sedute nuovamente ritappezzate in pelle di camoscio.Category
Vintage 1960s Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Suede, Wood
- Golem Dining Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi Pavia, 1968. Set of 4 PiecesBy Poggi, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Budapest, HUWhen design meets creativity we get the most unique results. Like these Golem chairs that look as if a musical note has come to life. Designed by Vico Magistretti for Poggi Pavia in ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 6 High Back Golem Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy 1969By Mario Bellini, Poggi, Vico Magistretti, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Grand Cayman, KYSet of 6 stunning high-back SD51 Golem chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, 1969 Italy. This Post Modern chair plays on the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic of Carlo, Afra and Tobia Sca...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Bentwood, Paint