ANONIMA CASTELLI. Pair of sideboards, Italy, 1960s.

ANONIMA CASTELLI, Bologna.
Pair of sideboards, Italy, 1960s.
Veneered wood, lacquered metal, and aluminum.
With original Anonima Castelli labels.
Interiors feature shelves. Locks are intact.
Restored. In good overall condition.
Measurements of each sideboard: 85.5 x 145 x 44 cm.

A pair of sideboards produced by Anonima Castelli during the 1960s, a particularly significant period in the firm’s consolidation as one of the leading companies in Italian industrial design. The streamlined form, the wide three-door front, and the lightweight, elevated metal structure fully embody the functional and architectural language developed by the company during those years. This exact set is documented with the same characteristics and measurements as Anonima Castelli’s production from the 1960s.

The design is based on the balance between the warmth of the wood and the visual lightness of the black metal, accented at the legs by small aluminum elements. The discreet black square handles are practically integrated into the fronts, reinforcing the geometric cleanliness of the unit. Inside, the shelves provide ample storage capacity. The preservation of the manufacturer’s original labels is also a key element for identifying the set.

Anonima Castelli occupies a prominent place in the history of 20th-century Italian design. Founded in Bologna by Ettore Castelli in 1877 as a cabinetmaking workshop, the company underwent a profound transformation after World War II, incorporating industrial production technologies and specializing in furniture for offices, public spaces, and community facilities. In 1953, it created Metalcastelli, dedicated specifically to furniture and metal components, reinforcing the combination of wood and metal that also characterizes this collection.
During the 1960s, the firm intensified its commitment to contemporary design through a team that included figures such as Giancarlo Piretti, Gino Gamberini, Augusto Quattrino, and Roberto Molinazzi. This strategy positioned Castelli among the leading companies in Italian industrial furniture and paved the way for some of its most iconic designs in the decades that followed.