SOLD

Designer
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta

Description
The Mezzadro stool is part of Achille + Pier Giacomo Castiglioni’s Ready Made Collection of furniture and lighting from the late 1950s and early 1960s that includes the Sella Stool also manufactured by Zanotta as well as the Arco and Toio floor lamps produced by Flos.  The premise of the collection was to re-contextualize extant objects in unexpected ways.  With Mezzadro, the seat is actually a tractor seat that has been fitted with a chromed steel base that culminates in a footrest of steam-treated natural beech.  The stool becomes an engaging, impromptu seat – the base even provides a bit of flex when combined with the weight of the user.  When not in use, Mezzadro functions akin to an engaging Dadaist floor sculpture. Mezzadro is included in the permanent collections of museums worldwide including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Munich’s Die Neue Sammlung, and Paris’ Musée d’Art National Moderne and Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Biography
The Italian architect and designer brothers Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) are among the greatest names of modern Italian design. Their father was the notable Italian architect Giannino Castiglioni, and also their brother Livio Castiglioni became an architect and designer. Achille and Pier Giacomo both studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and later worked there as teachers. Their collaboration was productive and innovative, and the designs were often radical and humorous. Some of their best-known works include the Mezzadro chair and many lighting designs for Flos, including the Snoopy table lamp and the floor lamp Toio that is lit by a car headlight. Pier Giacomo, who passed away in 1968, won six Compasso d’Oro awards during his career, and Achille was awarded the prestigious design award nine times.

Condition
Vintage condition , 21st Century, Italy

Measurements
H 53 x W 49.5 x D 53 CM