Achile & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

ACHILLE & PIER GIACOMO CASTIGLIONI (Milan, 1918 - 2002) & Pier Giacomo (Milan, 1913 - 1968) for Zanotta.
Stool "Sella", 1957.
Black racing bicycle saddle, pink painted steel stem, cast iron base.
First edition.
In very good condition, fully functional.
Measurements: 33 x 33 x 71 cm. Weight 13 kg.

The Sella Stool, an iconic work by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, transcends the mere categorization of furniture to stand as a paradigmatic landmark of industrial design. It amalgamates precise functionality with playful provocation and deep conceptual resonance. Originally conceived as a "telephone stool", its design responds to the need for an ephemeral posture and punctual support, challenging the conventions of static seating. The piece dialogues with the collective imaginary through multiple references: the most ostensible is that of competitive cycling, embodied in the black racing bicycle saddle and in the chromatic evocation of the steel stem, whose pink tone unmistakably refers to the jersey that distinguishes the winner of the Giro d'Italia. The Sella adheres to the user's body, postulating that optimal stability lies not only in its structural components (a minimalist saddle and a single leg), but in the synergistic interaction with the individual's own two legs, which thus become the indispensable third point of support. This bold conception redefines the relationship between the object and the body, transforming the act of sitting into a participatory and deliberate experience.

In terms of its materiality, the selection is as deliberate as its form: an authentic racing bicycle saddle in black, a vibrant pink lacquered steel stem and a sturdy cast iron base. These elements, each with its own history and connotation, converge to forge an object that is simultaneously a sculpture, a cultural artifact and a functional seat, confirming its status as an icon of creativity and innovation in contemporary design.

Brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni studied at the Politecnico di Milano, as did their older brother, Livio. In 1938 Pier Giacomo and Livio opened their own studio, to be joined by the younger Achille in 1944. Finally, in 1952 Livio left the group to continue his career independently. Until Pier Giacomo's early death in 1968, the two brothers collaborated on numerous designs. Today their work is represented in prominent museums such as the MoMA in New York.