Large Congress Bookcases by Lips Vago for Leon Phillips, 1960s, Set of 2

This extraordinary Congresso bookcase was designed and produced by Lips Vago in 1967, representing one of the most innovative and iconic modular systems of Italian design of the 1960s.
Winner of the prestigious SMAU Industrial Design Award that same year, the Congresso bookcase immediately established itself as a symbol of a rational and functional approach, capable of combining architecture and furniture in a single design gesture.
The version presented here is the XL, the rarest and most sought-after of all, now considered a true collector's item.
Unlike the standard version with 5 shelves per side, this imposing configuration reaches 3 meters in height and houses 7 shelves per side, for a total of 14 double-sided shelves.
The double structure makes it a striking sculptural piece, perfect as a central divider in lofts, galleries, and public spaces, or as an architectural installation capable of redefining space.
A significant historical detail is that these bookcases were adopted by the Vatican Archives, confirming their solidity and the institutional vocation of a system designed to stand the test of time and contain a wealth of knowledge.
Today, they have become extremely rare on the market: we have four identical modules available, for a total of four linear meters, a unique opportunity to furnish an entire space with aesthetic and historical coherence.
Made of military green steel, typical of Lips Vago's industrial style, the bookcase retains all its original expressive power: the shelves are adjustable and slide with a simple gesture, allowing for extreme versatility. The solid base ensures stability, while the rigorous proportions confirm the rationalist and minimalist vocation of the project.
Published several times in magazines such as Domus, the Congresso bookcase is now an icon of Italian design, having been out of production for decades. This XL version is an extremely rare model, virtually impossible to find on the international market, and represents a real opportunity for collectors, galleries, and architects seeking a unique piece that combines history, functionality, and sculptural power.

Perfect condition, with slight signs of aging and small rust spots that give it an extraordinary original patina, a testament to its authenticity and lived-in beauty.

Note: The price shown is for a 100x300cm module.

Product Name: Congresso XL Bookcase produced by Lips Vago in 1960.

Designer: Lips Vago
Year of Design: 1967
Style: 1960s Italian Rationalism and Modernism
Main Materials: Military green painted steel
Distinctive Design: 3-meter-high double-sided structure with 7 shelves per side (14 shelves total), solid base, adjustable and sliding shelves, rigorous and minimalist architectural lines.

Dimensions: Height 300cm | Width 100cm | Depth 70cm | 4 modules available for a total of 400cm
Comfort: Maximum functionality and storage capacity, with adjustable shelves that allow for versatile use in a variety of contexts
Typical Use: Central partition for lofts and galleries, furnishing for public and institutional spaces, also ideal as a high-impact architectural installation
Design Icon: Winner of the SMAU Industrial Design Award 1967, published in Domus, adopted by the Vatican Archives, a symbol of modular and functional Italian design of the 1960s
Versatility: Perfect for both contemporary and historic settings, it can be used as a bookcase or as a sculptural architectural divider
Current Design Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minor signs of aging and small rust spots that lend a charming original patina
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of aging may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We encourage you to consider these features before purchasing.

Lips Vago, based in Milan, was one of the most important Italian companies producing modular metal systems in the post-World War II era. Born from the industrial tradition of Lips, a historic Dutch company specializing in storage and security systems (safes), and the Italian company Vago, the company established itself as a benchmark in the production of metal furnishings for offices, archives, libraries, and institutional spaces starting in the 1950s.
Lips Vago's strength lay in its combination of industrial functionality and rationalist design, with solutions that responded to the new needs of the economic boom: modularity, durability, order, and storage capacity. Their systems were conceived not only as furniture, but as true interior architectures, capable of organizing space and adapting to different contexts.
Their most iconic design remains the Congresso bookcase (1967), winner of the prestigious SMAU Industrial Design Award that same year. Published several times in Domus, it was also adopted by the Vatican Archives, confirming its solidity and institutional relevance. The bookcase, with its rigorous proportions, adjustable shelves, and double-sided structure, represents one of the most significant examples of how Lips Vago succeeded in combining architectural rationalism and functional innovation.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the company established itself as a leading player on the Italian and international design scene, offering furnishings that engaged with the modernist language and were perfectly integrated into executive offices, public spaces, and avant-garde domestic environments.
Today, Lips Vago pieces, now out of production, are considered rarities on the vintage design market, prized by collectors, architects, and galleries for their ability to combine industrial aesthetics, modularity, and history.