Designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Arnolfo di Cambio in the early 1970s, the “Biglia” box is a refined example of material experimentation and functional design. The object reflects Colombo’s modular and futurist vision, in which every element is conceived as part of a coherent system of contemporary living: compact, essential, and technologically advanced.
The base is made of amethyst-colored crystal with perfectly balanced proportions, while the curved and sliding polished stainless-steel lid creates an elegant contrast between transparency and reflection, warm and cold, organic and industrial. The high construction quality typical of Arnolfo di Cambio production is evident in the impeccable polishing of the crystal and in the precision of the metal, which transform a simple container into a luminous micro-sculpture.
Signed “Joe Colombo” and bearing the Arnolfo di Cambio label, the Biglia represents a rare synthesis of function and sculpture in Italian design of the 1970s, a testament to Colombo’s visionary aesthetic and to the artisanal excellence of the Tuscan manufactory. In excellent condition, with slight signs of time on the steel.
Product Name: Biglia box by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio Italy 1970s
Designer: Joe Colombo
Year of Design: Early 1970s
Style: Experimental Italian design of the 1970s, futurist and organic language
Main Materials: Amethyst-colored blown crystal; mirror-polished stainless steel
Distinctive Design: Solid crystal base with essential proportions and luminous internal texture, combined with a curved and sliding stainless-steel lid; material dialogue between warm/cold, organic/industrial, transparent/opaque, typical of Colombo’s poetics
Dimensions: Length 21 cm | Width 13 cm | Height 4 cm
Typical Use: Decorative box, refined container, or domestic micro-sculpture; ideal on consoles, coffee tables, or design desks
Design Icon: Emblematic example of Joe Colombo’s modular and visionary research, in line with projects such as the Total Furnishing Unit and the Tube Chair; one of the most sought-after creations in Arnolfo di Cambio production
Versatility: Perfect in modern, contemporary, or eclectic interiors; the balance between colored crystal and mirror-polished steel integrates easily in both bright and dark settings
Current Condition of the Design: Crystal in excellent condition; slight signs of time on the steel lid, consistent with age
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of time may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchase.
Joe Colombo (1930–1971) was one of the most visionary and innovative designers of the twentieth century, a central figure in Italian design of the 1960s and 1970s. His research focused on the design of environments and objects conceived as modular, flexible systems adaptable to contemporary lifestyles, anticipating concepts now considered revolutionary: micro-housing, modular furniture, multifunctional objects, and technologies integrated into everyday life. Among his most celebrated works are the Tube Chair, the Multichair, the Boby Trolley, the Elda Chair, and the Total Furnishing Unit, an entire living unit of just 28 square meters condensing living room, bedroom, and kitchen into a single functional organism. Colombo worked with materials that were experimental at the time, such as molded plastics, fiberglass, and chromed metals, creating organic and futuristic forms. Despite his short career, his legacy is immense: many of his ideas are today considered anticipations of contemporary living, and the objects he designed are icons exhibited in major museums worldwide, from MoMA to the Triennale Design Museum. Joe Colombo remains the symbol of “design of the future,” capable of uniting utopia, technology, and everyday life.