Marco Zanuso Senior Armchair for Arflex, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Marco Zanuso (Designer),Arflex (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.59 in (98 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 33.86 in (86 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1721233672702
Marco Zanuso
Italian designer Marco Zanuso helped cement his country’s place as a world leader in furniture design that used new materials in revolutionary ways.
Zanuso was part of a generation of furniture designers who encouraged a sharp departure from the traditionalism and classicalism that reigned over the design industry before the war. These designers, who are associated with what we now call mid-century modernism, experimented with new technologies and materials to deliver on the world’s newfound need for streamlined products that represented the future.
After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1939 with a degree in architecture, Zanuso served in the Navy during World War II. Soon after the war, he opened his own design firm in Milan in 1945. He later became an editor at well-regarded design magazines Domus and Casabella. He used this editorial platform to both promote new Italian designs as well as his own pieces, some of which he made using unconventional materials like foam and latex. For instance, his famous Lady armchair from 1951 is a composition of foam rubber and Nastro Cord, a recently invented textile band of rubberized fabric that eliminated the need for metal springs. It was one of several pieces he designed for Italian manufacturer Arflex, along with the 1949 Antropus chair and the 1951 Sleep-o-matic sofa.
Zanuso often collaborated with other like-minded creatives. From 1955 until 1957, he was Olivetti’s architect, designing factories across Brazil, and for nearly two decades, he collaborated with German designer Richard Sapper. The pair’s most famous product is the 4999 children’s chair, manufactured in the 1960s by Kartell in Italy. The stackable chair was the first to be manufactured entirely of injection-molded plastic. Zanuso and Sapper also partnered on the 1962 Brionvega Doney 14, the first European-made portable transistor TV; its sleek, compact and curvy form deeply influenced the design of television sets that followed, which were far more sculptural in form than the rigid boxes that characterized early models.
From the 1970s onward, Zanuso taught architecture and industrial design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He still exercised his creative talents, planning the headquarters for computer companies and renovating Italian theaters.
Each of Zanuso’s elegant works were demonstrative of a forward-looking sensibility. His projects saw an integration of novel industrial materials that not only helped emphasize the beauty of good design but also played a role in rendering these well-made products accessible to everyday consumers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Marco Zanuso furniture, including armchairs, sofas, table lamps and other items.
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 10 days of delivery.
- Two 'Carmina' Carlo Santi Armchairs for Arflex, 1970sBy ArflexLocated in Milano, ITPair of vintage armchairs with ash wood frame and original checked fabric in brick tones model 'Carmina', designed by Carlo Santi and produced by Arflex from 1975.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Ash
- Armchair, 1950sLocated in Milano, ITArmchair; foam padding, renewed velvet covering, wooden legs with brass tips.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Poltrona Anni 50, marroneBy Non-Standard Furniture and LightingLocated in Milano, ITPoltrona, imbottitura a molle, rivestimento in similpelle, legno di faggio tinto a vista. Una poltrona da rivisitare per renderla adatta ad un ambiente con una zona relax che voglia ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBeech
- Green leatherette armchair 1950s-60sBy Non-Standard Furniture and LightingLocated in Milano, ITArmchair, foam padding, leatherette upholstery, enameled metal legs with brass ferrule. Shows some minor signs of wear and tear. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Armchair Beech, Italy, 1950sLocated in Milano, ITArmchair with spring upholstery, fabric cover and beech wood frame.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Tavolo tondo in cristallo 'Marcuso 2532' Marco Zanuso per Zanotta anni 70By Marco Zanuso, ZanottaLocated in Milano, ITTavolo da pranzo vintage disegnato da Marco Zanuso e prodotto da Zanotta a partire dalla fine degli anni '60. Base tonda e tre gambe in acciaio, piano tondo i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsCrystal, Steel
- Marco Zanuso Senior Armchair for Arflex, 1950sBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Marco Zanuso Senior Armchair for Arflex, designed in the 1950s, is an iconic piece featuring brass legs that add a touch of luxury to its sleek and elegant design.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Baby Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery rare "Baby" chair designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in the 50's. This lounge chair is very comfortable and classic elegant. This chair has been totally restored and reupholste...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Marco Zanuso Pair of Martingala armchairs for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaAn elegant pair of early Martingala armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, designed in the 1950s and reupholstered in high-quality grey fabric, are now in excellent vintage condition....Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Marco Zanuso Senior Chair for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Berlin, DENewly upholstered Marco Zanuso senior chair for Arflex, Italy - 1960s. Fabric is Holly Hunt, Forgiving Sins, color latte.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1960By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Piacenza, ItalyIconic lounge chair pair designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1960. These two lounge chairs have their original leather upholstery. Magnificent set of chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather
- Two "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, New Upholstery, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Milan, ITSet of two Senior armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric