MAXALTO’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY : A LEGACY OF QUIET MASTERY AND TIMELESS CRAFT

Images courtesy of Maxalto

Special Editons of Pathos 50 table and Lilum 50 dormeuse

This year, Maxalto—the brand synonymous with discreet elegance and artisanal excellence—celebrates its 50th anniversary with a series of refined tributes that speak to its past, present, and enduring vision for design. Founded in 1975 by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, Maxalto was conceived as a sanctuary for traditional cabinetmaking within the world of modern furniture. Its name derived from the Venetian dialect “massa alto” (meaning “the highest”), set the tone for a brand rooted in craftsmanship and elevated standards.

Lilum 50 

The early years were defined by the poetic partnership with Afra and Tobia Scarpa, whose work infused Maxalto pieces with tactile warmth, rich materials like briar root and saddle-stitched leather, and a philosophy that design should carry the weight of human history in its grains and joints. Then, in 1993, architect Antonio Citterio joined the brand, ushering in a new era of bourgeois serenity. His vision: furniture not for fleeting trends but for spaces of permanence—designs that evoke the quiet ritual of living well. With references to early 20th-century refinement, Citterio’s work elevated Maxalto into a holistic universe of interiors defined by proportion, materiality, and meaning.

Lilum 50 

Celebrating with Art: Limited Editions for 2025
To honor this golden milestone, Maxalto has invited Dutch artist Patrick van Riemsdijk to reimagine the Lilum dormeuse  (art work by Patrick van Riemsdijk and sofa by Antonio Citterio) as a collectible piece.  His signature calligraphic brushstrokes—evocative of Japanese shodō—are translated onto a fine linen fabric, turning the elegant form into a three-dimensional canvas. Only 50 numbered pieces (Lilum 50 dormeuse)will be produced, each a fusion of tactile craftsmanship and artistic gesture.

Presented by Coulisse | INK

Complementing this occasion, Maxalto also reissued the Pathos table in 50 limited editions, a striking special edition of Citterio’s 2011 classic. With a bronze frame and a top in raw-edged solid Italian walnut, the piece feels avant-garde—symbolic of Maxalto’s timeless DNA. Both limited editions were displayed during Milan Design Week, April 8–13, 2025.

Pathos 50 

A Dialogue Between Art, Design, and Time
Over the past five years, Maxalto has deepened its relationship with the arts, collaborating with creatives like sculptor Karolina Maszkiewicz, composer Koki Nakano, and floral artists Green Wise. Whether through musical interpretations, kinetic sculptures, or gallery-like showrooms, the brand continues to evolve its language while staying true to its roots.

Pathos 50 

At 50, Maxalto is not simply marking time—it’s affirming a philosophy: that true luxury lies in care, quiet beauty, and the hands that shape our daily rituals. These are not just furnishings—they are heirlooms of the present.