The Gufram Capitello is among the most recognizable icons of Radical Italian Design. Conceived by Studio 65 in the 1970s, this extraordinary piece reinterprets the fallen fragment of a classical column, transforming it into a radical designer seat. What was once a symbol of monumental stability and history becomes, through irony and creativity, a playful furnishing that surprises and provokes. The Capitello has been celebrated internationally and today is part of the permanent collections of some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Its presence in such revered spaces confirms its dual nature: both historical homage and radical provocation.

Symbolism and Craft

At first sight, the Capitello looks like a heavy marble or stone fragment, yet it is entirely made from soft polyurethane. This contradiction between appearance and substance lies at the very heart of Gufram’s philosophy of “true-false.” Carefully sculpted and hand-finished, the seat retains the illusion of fluted stone while offering a surprising softness. The Capitello seat is not only comfortable but also designed to provoke thought about the way we perceive objects and their functions. The irony of sitting on what appears to be a broken ruin highlights the radical intention of Studio 65 and Gufram: to blur the boundaries between art, architecture, and furniture.

A Dialogue with History and Design

The white Greek column seat resonates deeply with the themes of cultural heritage and postmodern critique. It can be paired with other Ceretti, Derossi & Rosso x Gufram creations, or with radical works by Maurizio Cattelan & Pierpaolo Ferrari. It also dialogues effortlessly with contemporary eclectic products like the Cactus designer coat rack, creating interiors where fragments of antiquity are reinvented as contemporary design. In this way, the Capitello becomes part of a narrative where history is never static but constantly reinterpreted.

A Timeless Radical Icon

To own the Gufram Capitello is to embrace an object that is both humorous and profound, practical and symbolic. More than just a postmodern design work, it is a manifesto: proof that even the most solemn cultural symbols can be reinvented through creativity. Whether displayed in a private home, a design showroom, or an international museum, the Capitello remains a theatrical, ironic, and unforgettable masterpiece. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense centuries of history into a radical piece of furniture that continues to inspire admiration and surprise across generations.