Maralunga Vico Magistretti Cassina, 1973
About the Item
- Creator:Vico Magistretti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 35.04 in (89 cm)Depth: 64.97 in (165 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1973
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Arezzo, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7267235269862
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: Arezzo, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 932 Mario Bellini Cassina, 1964By Mario BelliniLocated in Arezzo, ItalySofa 932 by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1964.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Sofas
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- Soriana by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Arezzo, ItalySoriana sofa 2 seater designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969, Reupholster in new leather leather. Polyuretane, leather, steel. Excellent condition. A true icon of styl...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Sit Down armchair designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina 1975By Gaetano PesceLocated in Arezzo, ItalySit Down armchair designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina in 1975. Steel frame, molded plywood, cold-injected polyurethane, quilted polyester wadding fabric. Good condition, chair has ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Soriana Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Arezzo, ItalySoriana 2 seater by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969, reupholstered in metallic green leather. A true icon of style, Soriana, characte...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Le Bambole Chaise Longue by Mario Bellini for B&b, Italia, 1972By Mario BelliniLocated in Arezzo, ItalyLe Bambole Chaise-Longue designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1972. The Bambole series won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979. Le Bambole is an icon...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- Bamboleuse by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 1970By Mario BelliniLocated in Arezzo, ItalyBamboleuse and Bambouff designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970. The Bambole series won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979. Le Bambole is an iconic piece of Italian design. inc...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsLeather
- Maralunga 675 Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973By Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Budapest, HUDesigned in 1973 by Vico Magistretti, and winner of a Compasso d’Oro award in 1979, the Maralunga 675 model immediately made its mark as an icon with great strength and impact on the...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSuede
- Set 4 Cassina VillaBianca chairs by Vico MagistrettiBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Montecchio Precalcino, VIRare set of 4 "VillaBianca" chairs design by italian master Vico Magistretti for luxury brand Cassina. This Amazing set Is perfect for 80s lovers, Memphis style, plastic space age ro...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsPolyester, Hardwood
- Vico Magisretti 'Maralunga' Suite of Sofas and Armchairs for CassinaBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in London, GBA suite of sofas and armchairs by Italian Designer Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Italy, designed in 1970s, this model likely c1990-2000s. Original leather, which has some signs of light aging but remains in good condition. A unique headrest solution from the designer to these chairs is that it can be 'unfurled' to a taller position for comfort. Price is for the set. Two three...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather
- 3-seater Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italy 1973By Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in PARIS, FRThe Maralunga sofa was created in 1973 by Vico Magistretti for the Italian firm Cassina. Known for his creations using simple, essential forms and the use of innovative materials for...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFaux Fur
- "Maralunga" 3-seater by Vico Magistretti / CassinaBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in Wien, WienThe "Maralunga" 3-seater, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, is a classic and iconic collection in the world of Italian furniture. Introduced in the 1970s, the Maralunga sofa ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- "Maralunga" Set by Vico Magistretti / CassinaBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in Wien, WienThe "Maralunga" set, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, is a classic and iconic collection in the world of Italian furniture. Introduced in the 1970s, the Maralunga sofa is pa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric