An 80-year anniversary deserves some fanfare, and the extraordinary new Molteni Museum throws a worthy celebration in honor of the legendary contemporary furniture line. Housed in the penthouse of the company’s Giussano, Italy headquarters, the exhibition offers a dazzling tour of Molteni’s journey from modest atelier to industry icon.
An earlier incarnation of the Molteni Museum, 80!Molteni, debuted last spring at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Curated by British designer Jasper Morrison and in partnership with the Molteni family, 45 key pieces from Molteni’s rich history were gathered into one remarkable retrospective. During the show’s near-80 day run — timed to coordinate with Milan’s design week — it was attended by more than 13,000 visitors, many of whom viewed it as a highlight of the season.
Now permanently ensconced in Giussano, the Molteni Museum is home to a breathtaking array of iconic pieces from all four Molteni brands: Molteni & C, Unifor, Dada, and Citterio. The museum also houses additional attractions, such as the Francesca Molteni-directed Giò Ponti documentary, Loving Ponti. Located nearby in the Molteni Complex is the company’s 5,000-piece archives of iconographic materials, such as prototypes, sketches, and photos. These documents are in the process of being digitized and linked with other important design and architecture entities around the world.
The Molteni Museum proffers an open invitation to Molteni enthusiasts as well as all fans of Italian design. No time for a trip to the Giussano countryside? Tour the Molteni Museumwebsite, or stop by Casa Design’s Molteni & C Boston Flagship Store located at 450 Harrison Avenue in SOWA.
