Italian Modern Brown Suede Marenco Armchair by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Arflex (Manufacturer),Mario Marenco (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25.99 in (66 cm)Width: 42.52 in (108 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860234129002
Arflex
From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Italian modern red armchair Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern red armchair Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s Square shaped armchair mod. Marenco. The seat and backrest are composed of t...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern red sofas Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern red sofas Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s Pair of red sofas mod. Marenco. The rectangular seats of the sofas are made up of...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern red sofa Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern red sofa Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s Red sofa mod. Marenco. The rectangular seat of the sofa is made up of two padded cu...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern red living room Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern red living room Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s Living room composed of two two-seater sofas and an armchair mod. Ma...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Modern Armchairs Movie Chair by Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, 1980sBy Poltrona Frau, Mario MarencoLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern armchairs movie chair by Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, 1980s Set of 6 armchairs mod. Movie Chair with rectangular seat, armrests and bac...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980sBy Burkhard Vogtherr, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980s Armchair mod. Felix with squared seat and backrest, padded and covered in blue fabric with abstract fl...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- “Marenco” cognac leather sofa designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex, Italy 1970sBy Arflex, Mario MarencoLocated in Milano, ITMario Marenco, in collaboration with the renowned Italian furniture manufacturer Arflex, introduced the iconic 'Marenco' two-seater sofa to the design world in 1970. This opulent and...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- First Edition Mario Marenco set in origina light brown suede for Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in amstelveen, NLMario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marenco' set, suede, Italy, 1970 Early edition Marenco set designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. The set features a system that makes the armrest and seat...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- Marenco Sofa in Original Cognac Leather by Mario Marenco for Arflex, Italy 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in Chicago, ILA two-seat Italian Marenco sofa designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in 1970. This utterly plush sofa retains its original patinated cognac leather upholstery with elegant stitch det...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- First Edition Mario Marenco lounge chairs in light brown suede, Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in amstelveen, NLMario Marenco for Arflex, set of 2 lounge chairs, suede, Italy, 1970 Early edition Marenco lounge chairs designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. It features a system that makes the ar...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- First Edition Mario Marenco 3-seater sofa in light brown suede, Arflex, 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in amstelveen, NLMario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marenco' 3-seater sofa, suede, Italy, 1970 Early edition Marenco sofa designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. It features a system that makes the armrest an...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- First Edition Mario Marenco 2-seater sofa in light brown suede, Arflex, 1970sBy Arflex, Mario MarencoLocated in amstelveen, NLMario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marenco' 2-seater sofa, suede, Italy, 1970 Early edition Marenco sofa designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. It features a system that makes the armrest an...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede