Colombo, Joe Cesare (1930-1971)

Italian industrial designer. He was a member of the post-war generation of designers who created a sophisticated, sculptural style for banal industrial goods. He is best known for his plastic chairs designed for Kartell, notable among them his ‘Chair 4860’ (1965) which brought a new respectability to the material.

Colombo moved from a background in fine art into design in 1955. Based in Milan, he designed many other furniture pieces and domestic appliances with the same rigorous style, among them his ‘Poker’ card table (1968) and his air conditioner for Candy (1970), for a wide range of manufacturers. He was placed among the most innovative designers of his generation.