Cesare Lacca

Cesare Lacca (b. 1929)

Cesare Lacca was an Italian designer whose elegant, sculptural furniture defined an era of post-war modernism. Known for his refined tea trolleys, coffee tables, and magazine racks, Lacca infused functional forms with architectural rhythm and visual lightness.

Born in Naples in 1929, Lacca emerged in the early 1950s as part of the Italian modernist movement. He was selected to participate in the influential “Italy at Work: Her Renaissance in Design Today” exhibition, which toured twelve U.S. museums and introduced Italian post-war design to the international stage. Alongside contemporaries like Gio Ponti and Franco Albini, Lacca helped define the aesthetic of a new Italy — modern, light, and forward-looking.

Lacca’s work is instantly recognizable through its use of warm woods — often walnut or mahogany — paired with slender brass frames, glass tops, and sleek silhouettes. His most iconic pieces include tea and bar trolleys with elegant handles and removable trays, as well as low tables with refined brass detailing and gracefully curved legs.

Though his production remained mostly within the 1940s and 1950s, Lacca's work stands out for its unique balance of beauty and utility. His designs are at once sculptural and functional — a quiet expression of Italian ingenuity during a time of cultural and economic rebirth.

At Spirit Gallery, we celebrate Cesare Lacca’s contribution to Italian modernism by preserving and presenting his works with the respect they deserve. His pieces — particularly his bar carts and brass-accented tables — continue to resonate with collectors and architects seeking timeless design with warmth and soul.

Sources: 1stDibs, Fins de Siècles, Lapada