Pair of "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
View Similar Items
Pair of "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
About the Item
- Creator:Marco Zanuso (Designer),Arflex (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 27.56 in (70 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1951
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945129135032
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.
Zanuso 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.
- 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
- "Nuovasquare" Cognal Leather Settee by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1970sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Milan, IT"NuovaSquare" lounge chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Fully cognac leather covered chair composed by padded blocks combination. Also available a matching lounge chair, pictured on t...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of "Pontiponti" Chairs by Gio Ponti for PalluccoBy Paolo Pallucco, Gio PontiLocated in Milan, ITRare set of two "Pontiponti" chairs by Gio Ponti for Pallucco.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of Two Leather Armchairs In The Style of Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1960sBy Achille Castiglioni, ZanottaLocated in Milan, ITRare set of two upholstered armchairs bin the style of Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta. Dark brown leather with appropriate patina.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- "Bacone" Corner Leather Lounge Chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970sBy Cini Boeri, ArflexLocated in Milan, ITRare Bacone lounge chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Extra large piece with generous squared proportions.Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of "Carlotta" Lounge Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, ItalyBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Milan, ITSet of two "Carlotta" lounge chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Essential structure composed by four wood frames joined together two support two movable cushions.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of 'Lady' ArmchairsBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Waalwijk, NLMarco Zanuso for Arflex, pair of easy chairs, fabric, metal, Italy, 1951 A quintessential representation of 1950s Italian Design, the 'Lady' armchair stands as a celebrated testamen...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$11,800 / set - 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
- Marco Zanuso Senior Armchairs 1950-1960 for ArflexBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous senior chairs that even a junior can sit in. Re-upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
$15,400 / set - Pair of Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Senior' Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in New York, NYA pair of the iconic 'Senior' lounge chairs, designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, in Italy, 1951. This pair have been fully restored and newly upholstered in our prof...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Woodline armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1964By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Premariacco, ITAn icon of 1960s Italian design, this Woodline armchair was designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in 1964 and constructed of black lacquered plywood and a seat upholstered in high-qual...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsHide, Plywood
- Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Chairs Arflex, Italy, 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantFantastic iconic lounge chair pair designed by world known designer Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy 1951. These two lounge chairs have thei...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass