Kartell.

Kartell

Kartell is the Italian editor founded in 1949 in Noviglio by Giulio Castelli and Anna Castelli Ferrieri, who inscribed injection-moulded plastic in high-end design. The house emerged as a major actor of Italian design through a radical catalogue centred on plastic: Componibili by Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1967), 4867 Universale by Joe Colombo (1967), Boby by Joe Colombo (1970), Bourgie by Ferruccio Laviani (2004), Ghost and Louis Ghost by Philippe Starck (2002). The catalogue covers modular storage, seats, lighting, and accessories. LAPIERRE sources and authenticates primarily Kartell pieces from productions of 1967 to 2010, with particular focus on signature 1960s-1970s pieces.

Brand history

Kartell was founded in 1949 in Noviglio, near Milan, by Giulio Castelli, a chemical engineer, and his wife Anna Castelli Ferrieri, an architect. The house positioned itself from the start on injection-moulded plastic products, at a time when these materials were still associated with mass consumption rather than high-end design. Castelli, trained in industrial chemistry, saw the potential of thermoplastics for domestic furniture. The house began with accessories (tableware, household utensils, kitchen elements) before progressively expanding to furniture and lighting.

Anna Castelli Ferrieri signed several major catalogue pieces. The Componibili series, launched in 1967, became the founding icon. A modular cylindrical storage tower in injection-moulded ABS monobloc, it offers a stacking system of independent modules to compose storage of variable height. The piece has been continuously produced since and is today a reference of Italian industrial design. The same year, Joe Colombo designed for Kartell the 4867 Universale chair: the first plastic-injection monobloc chair commercialised at scale, a major industrial and formal milestone. Colombo also signed the Boby series (1970), ABS-injected storage trolley with wheels.

Under the leadership of Claudio Luti, who joined Kartell in 1988 and became its head, the house opened to international collaborations. Philippe Starck signed the Ghost chair (2002) in moulded transparent polycarbonate monobloc, the first at scale in this material, followed by the Louis Ghost, the Masters (2010, with Quitllet), and several other pieces. Ferruccio Laviani designed the Bourgie lamp (2004), evocation of a classic chandelier in moulded transparent plastic. Patricia Urquiola, Tokujin Yoshioka, Ron Arad, Piero Lissoni, and Antonio Citterio joined the catalogue. The house remains independent under Luti control, based in Noviglio, with production concentrated in Italy.

Signature pieces we source

Componibili (Anna Castelli Ferrieri, 1967). Modular cylindrical storage tower in injection-moulded ABS monobloc. Each module stacks and screws or interlocks depending on production. Configurations of 2, 3, 4 modules or more. Sought-after 1967-1980 original colours (orange, red, moss green, purple, yellow); standard white and black most sourced.

4867 Universale (Joe Colombo, 1967). First plastic-injection monobloc chair commercialised at scale. Originally designed in ABS plastic, later in polypropylene. Major signature piece of Italian industrial design.

Boby (Joe Colombo, 1970). ABS-injected storage trolley with wheels, originally designed for designers' and photographers' studios. Several drawer and compartment levels. Colombo signature piece.

Bourgie (Ferruccio Laviani, 2004). Table lamp evoking a classic chandelier in moulded transparent or translucent plastic. Kartell contemporary signature piece, exported worldwide.

Ghost and Louis Ghost (Philippe Starck, 2002). Chairs in moulded transparent or translucent polycarbonate monobloc. The Louis Ghost reproduces the Louis XV armchair profile in plastic. Contemporary signature pieces.

Masters (Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet, 2010). Polycarbonate chair fusing three iconic silhouettes (Series 7 Jacobsen, Tulip Saarinen, Eiffel Eames). 2014 Compasso d'Oro.

Authenticating an original

Authentication of a Kartell piece rests on combined markings. Kartell marking: moulded in relief inside the module or under the base, on the shell or structure depending on model. The Kartell logo evolves by decade and allows approximate dating. Model reference: moulded near the brand mark. Designer signature: moulded in relief on certain signature pieces (Componibili, Ghost, Bourgie, Masters). Plastic consistency: injection-moulded ABS monobloc for Componibili and 4867, transparent or translucent polycarbonate for Ghost and Louis Ghost, moulded polycarbonate for Masters. Uniform smooth surface, characteristic thickness, stable colour tone. Copies (notably Ghost and Louis Ghost) frequently present thinner polycarbonate, more yellowish than the original transparent, or slightly different proportions. Copy moulding is often less precise (mould burrs, visible joints). LAPIERRE cross-references marking and plastic quality before validation.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

Each incoming Kartell piece is inspected for markings, injection-moulded plastic condition (scratches, chips, possible yellowing on transparent colours), structural integrity, and dimensional consistency with the Kartell standard. Componibili pieces are checked module by module: internal marking, moulding quality, stacking function. Ghost and Louis Ghost are checked for polycarbonate integrity (absence of cracks at stress points, original transparency). Bourgie pieces are checked for transparent plastic crack absence. Pieces without clear marking or with non-standard dimensions are refused unless cross-referenced with strong other clues. For sold pieces, LAPIERRE can offer thorough cleaning via partner workshop if necessary; deep scratches on transparent polycarbonate are generally not repairable.

Request a search

A specific Kartell piece (Componibili, 4867, Boby, Bourgie, Ghost) in a particular colour, configuration, or condition not currently in selection? Write to LAPIERRE with the brief: model, colour, desired configuration. Our team activates its Italian and European sourcing network. Response within a few days with availability and quote.