Vintage Italian Leather Swivel Desk Chair by Poltrona Frau
About the Item
- Creator:Poltrona Frau (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.62 in (93 cm)Width: 24.81 in (63 cm)Depth: 25.99 in (66 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
Poltrona Frau
If an Italian soldier named Renzo Frau had never traveled to Great Britain and set eyes on a Chesterfield armchair, it is unlikely that legendary handcrafted furniture maker Poltrona Frau and its classic sofas, armchairs and vanities would exist today.
Upon completing his service in the Italian army during the early 1900s, the Sardinian-born Frau worked for faux leather manufacturing company Dermoide Patent in Turin. While at the firm, he was sent to England, where he became enamored with leather Chesterfield armchairs. Intrigued and inspired by their rolled arms and tall, imposing profile, Frau returned to Turin, where he started his own leather-upholstered furniture company, Poltrona Frau, in 1912. He began to import the sumptuous Edwardian seating for the high-end domestic market.
Frau made slight modifications to the English seat that he’d so admired, and among Poltrona Frau’s first successful designs was an iconic armchair in 1919 appropriately called the Chester. Believed to have been custom-made for Filiberto Ludovico of Savoy, Duke of Pistoia, the Chester reflected the era’s emerging Art Deco style. Frau’s chair was comfortable and functional, and he implemented the traditional upholstery technique capitonné, which refers to stuffing that is buttoned. The Chester featured a pouf and an arm that was possibly included to hold the Duke’s ashtray. The seat’s high-quality craftsmanship and integration of exquisite full-grain leather made it covetable among Italy’s elite.
When Renzo Frau died in 1926, Poltrona Frau was appointed furniture supplier to Italy’s royal family. The company furnished grand hotels, designed the interiors for Expo Turin 1928 and outfitted an Italian transatlantic ocean liner.
For more than a century, Poltrona Frau has collaborated with hundreds of leading architects and designers from around the world. It issued such iconic mid-century modern pieces as Gio Ponti’s Dezza armchair, the 1960s-era Dilly Dally vanity by Italian designer Luigi Massoni, stackable tubular steel Movie armchairs by Italian architect Mario Marenco and French architect Jean-Marie Massaud’s sleek, angular Kennedee office sofa.
Poltrona Frau has established showrooms all over the world and creates interiors for Italian automotive brands Maserati and Ferrari. The company is owned by Haworth and continues to introduce innovative, handmade home furnishings while occasionally gazing back into time — its Chester line, a modular seating system by Poltrona Frau CEO Nicola Coropulis and Roberto Lazzeroni, is a contemporary interpretation of the founder’s original Chesterfield-style seating.
Find vintage Poltrona Frau club chairs, coffee tables, desks and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: ELSTREE, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Antique Victorian Leather Swivel Desk ChairLocated in London, GBA superb antique Victorian swivel desk chair. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1880-1900 period. The frame is beautifully made from solid ash, with an upholstered ...Category
Antique 1880s British Victorian Swivel Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Ash
- Pair of Italian Leather Swivel Armchairs by NatuzziBy NatuzziLocated in London, GBA stylish and extremely comfortable pair of Italian leather swivel armchairs by Natuzzi, dating from the early twenty first century. They are of absolutely amazing quality, extremel...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Antique Victorian Style Swivel Desk ChairLocated in London, GBA smart and very comfortable antique Victorian style leather swivel desk chair. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1960’s. The quality is superb, with beautiful deep...Category
Vintage 1960s British Victorian Swivel Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 1960's Pair of Leather & Chrome Armchairs by Andre Vandenbeuk for StrassleLocated in London, GBA superb pair of vintage leather and chrome swivel armchairs. They were made in Sweden in the 1960’s by Strassle, and were designed by Andre Vandenbeuk. The quality is exceptional a...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Antique Victorian Style Leather Swivel Desk ChairLocated in London, GBA smart and extremely well made antique Victorian style leather swivel desk chair. This was made in England and dates from around the 1950’s. It is of superb quality, this is genero...Category
Vintage 1950s British Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Vintage Italian Steel and Leather Rocking Chair by FasemBy Fasem InternationalLocated in London, GBA stylish and very comfortable vintage Italian steel and leather rocking chair by Fasem. This was made in Italy, it dates from around the 1970’s. The quality is outstanding, this ha...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Post Modern Leather Swivel Chairs Poltrona Frau (2 available)By Roberto Lazzeroni, Poltrona FrauLocated in BROOKLYN, NYThe Post-Modern Ginger chair by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau with featuring saddle brown and sky blue leather hand stitched. A gorgeous Modern look. Seat has ebonized wood swi...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Italian Vintage Office or Desk Swivel ChairLocated in Miami, FLVintage swivel chair not adjustable in height with star-shaped base. Ideal in the office to receive your clients! Original leather covering in good aesthetic condition, iron structur...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Swivel Desk Chair by JanskoBy JanskoLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis high back desk chair features shapely vinyl swivel seat and sturdy metal base. Stylish Mid-Century Modern design adds retro appeal to home or business office. Fixed seat height ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
- Renzo Frau Italian Leather Armchair "Lyra" by Poltrona FrauBy Renzo Frau, Poltrona FrauLocated in Puglia, PugliaThe Poltrona Frau Lyra armchair is an iconic design from the historical collection of Poltrona Frau. The Lyra, fully made from leather, was first no...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Italian Leather Swivel ChairsLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of Italian club chairs with swivel action. Great form and shape for home or office setting. Please confirm location.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- Poltrona Frau Leather Ottoman 1975 ItalyBy Poltrona FrauLocated in Den Haag, NLVery nice ottoman or footstool. Superb quality by Poltrona Frau 1970s Smooth Leather upholstery. Signed. nice Camel color.Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather