Italian Midcentury Beige Velvet Sofa Triennale by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1956
About the Item
- Creator:Arflex (Manufacturer),Marco Zanuso (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 111.42 in (283 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Very good conditions, very light marks on the paws. Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860234219032
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: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Italian Midcentury Modular Sofa Novemila by Tito Agnoli for Arflex, 1969By Arflex, Tito AgnoliLocated in MIlano, ITItalian midcentury modular sofa Novemila by Tito Agnoli for Arflex, 1969 Modular sofa mod. Novemila composed of 5 modules entirely padded and co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- 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 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 Mid-Century Pink and Grey Fabric Sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980sBy Arflex, Marcello CuneoLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century pink and grey fabric sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s Two seater sofa mod. Giubba fully padded and covered in fabric. The s...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Italian Steel and Glass Sconces by Marco Zanuso for Oluce, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, OluceLocated in MIlano, ITItalian steel and glass sconces by Marco Zanuso for Oluce, 1950s Unfindable pair of Italian sconces by Marco Zanuso for Oluce, dating to the 19...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel
- Italian Modern Purple Velvet Sofa Bed Anfibio by Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970sBy Alessandro Becchi, GiovannettiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Purple velvet sofa bed mod. Anfibio by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970s Sofa bed mod. Anfibio in aubergine purple velvet. The...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Velvet
- Marco Zanuso "IX Triennale" Sofa for Arflex, Italy 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Utrecht, NL“There is no border between craftsmanship and design. What we do on the model, which will then be reproduced a thousand times, is an activity in which we bring all our experience.” s...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Velvet Deep Blue Three-Seat Sofa Model “Triennale”, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, 1956By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis three-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The deep blue velvet cover of the upholstery contrasts beautifully with the patinated brass sleeves. The piece of furniture is in good overall condition. Do not hesitate to contact us for further details. Literatur: Giuliana Gramigna, Repertorio 1950-2000, Allemandi, Torino, 2003, p. 84 Mobili Tipo...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLA very beautiful sofa model "Triennale", designed by Marco Zanuso and edited by Arflex, Italy 1950's. Made of a solid structure and polished legs. This stunning piece is just re...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Two-Seat Triennale Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis two-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The upholstery is covered in pink velvet fabric, which shows slight si...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex circa 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in New York, NYAn Original Marco Zanuso Triennale Sofa , 3 seat model, made for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951. "This model was first presented by Marco Zanuso at t...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Divano Triennale 3 Seater Sofa Design by Marco Zanuso for Arflex 50s, 60sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Padova, ITTriennale Three seat sofa designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex in 1951. Original fabric and upholstery. Architect, designer and university lecturer, Marco Zanuso (1916...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric