La Mamma Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
La Mamma lounge chair (UP5) and ottoman (UP6), designed by Gaetano Pesce for B&Italia, are crafted
Fabric
La Mamma Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
La Mamma lounge chair (UP5) and ottoman (UP6), designed by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, are
Fabric
$4,944
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
UP5 La Mamma UP 2000 Chair & UP6 Ball Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Izegem, VWV
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969, right from the onset the Up series has been one of the most outstanding expressions of design with its expressive shapes upholstered with elastic f...
Fabric, Foam, Latex, Polyester
$8,203 / set
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
MINT Black UP5 La Big Mamma UP 2000 Chair & UP6 Ottoman Gaetano Pesce B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Basel, BS
"La Mamma," it is distinguished by its organic, sculptural form that harmoniously merges comfort with
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
$2,650Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.75 in W 12.25 in D 11.5 in
'Babel' Resin Wine Bucket by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Italy, 1990s, Signed
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
modernity, exemplified by the La Mamma chair (1969), which evokes a prehistoric fertility figure, and the
Resin
$10,723
H 21.86 in W 15.16 in D 13.39 in
Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Perfect Small Chair in Red Resin by Zerodisegno 2000s
By Zerodisegno, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
spaces and reflect deep contemplation of the modern era. Notable works include his iconic La Mamma chair
Resin
$16,085
H 35.44 in W 16.54 in D 17.72 in
Gaetano Pesce The Faces Chair from Nobody's Perfect series by Zerodisegno 2005
By Gaetano Pesce, Zerodisegno
Located in Cascina, Pisa
architectural spaces and reflect deep contemplation of the modern era. Notable works include his iconic La Mamma
Resin, Plastic
$4,568 / set
H 15.16 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Gaetano Pesce Set of Three Nesting Play Tables in Resin by Fish Design 1999
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
include his iconic La Mamma chair (1969), inspired by a prehistoric fertility votive figure, and the
Steel
$5,957 / set
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
UP5_6 armchair from the UP 2000 series, by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
furniture. Known as the "Big Mama Chair" or "La Mamma", this piece stands out for its organic, sculptural
Fabric, Foam
$10,723 / set
H 31.89 in W 16.93 in D 20.48 in
Gaetano Pesce Set of Four Multicoloured Umbrella Chairs by Zerodisegno 1990s
By Zerodisegno, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
include his iconic La Mamma chair (1969), inspired by a prehistoric fertility votive figure, and the
Aluminum
$5,957
H 70.87 in W 24.02 in D 15.75 in
Gaetano Pesce Luigi (o mi amate voi?) 902 Shelf in Lacquered Wood by Bernini 80s
By Bernini, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
include his iconic La Mamma chair (1969), inspired by a prehistoric fertility votive figure, and the
Metal
$2,400
H 13 in Dm 11 in
'Amazonia' Resin Vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Italy, Serie 2007, Signed
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
creations reflect a profound contemplation of modernity, exemplified by the La Mamma chair (1969), which
Resin
$11,300
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
" UP 5 " by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia Red Armchair with Ottoman 1970s
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
known as La ‘Mamma’ or ‘Donna’ in Italy), remains one of the most important designs of the modern era
Fabric
Vitra Miniature La Mamma by Gaetano Pesce
By Vitra, Gaetano Pesce
Located in New York, NY
These items are only available in the United States. La Mamma (Donna) is completely in tune with
Nylon
Unavailable
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Gaetano Pesce Up Armchair + Ottoman, “La Mamma” B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in PEGO, Alicante
One of a kind lounge chair by Gaetano Pesce, the Up armchair and ottoman or “La Mamma” chair for B
Fabric
Unavailable
H 1.57 in Dm 9.4 in
Dinner Pasta Porcelain Plate with gold Collection "Le Coeur De La Mamma"
By Amélie Barnathan
Located in Paris, IDF
bowl called “le Coeur de la Mamma”, symbolizing the generosity of the Italian gastronomy revisited by a
Porcelain
Unavailable
H 1.57 in Dm 9.4 in
Dinner Pasta Porcelain Plate without gold Collection Le Coeur De La Mamma
By Amélie Barnathan
Located in Paris, IDF
bowl called “le Coeur de la Mamma”, symbolizing the generosity of the Italian gastronomy revisited by a
Porcelain
Unavailable
H 1.57 in Dm 9.4 in
Box of 2 Dinner Pasta Plates without Gold Collection Le Coeur De La Mamma
By Amélie Barnathan
Located in Paris, IDF
bowl called “le Coeur de la Mamma”, symbolizing the generosity of the Italian gastronomy revisited by a
Porcelain
Unavailable
H 1.57 in Dm 9.4 in
Box of 2 Pasta Plates with Gold, "Le Coeur De La Mamma" by Amélie Barnathan
By Amélie Barnathan
Located in Paris, IDF
bowl called “le Coeur de la Mamma”, symbolizing the generosity of the Italian gastronomy revisited by a
Porcelain
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 110.24 in D 39.38 in
La Grande Mamma, Dining Table in Black Painted Oak with Brass Décor
By La Famiglia Furniture
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed to seat the entire family for lively dinners, the La Grande Mamma is the heart of the home
Brass, Steel
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 110.24 in D 39.38 in
La Grande Mamma, Scandinavian Dining Table in White Lacquered Oak, Brass Décor
By La Famiglia Furniture
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed to seat the entire family for lively dinners, the La Grande Mamma is the heart of the home
Brass, Steel
Unavailable
H 17.72 in W 102.37 in D 13.78 in
Il Cugino, Scandinavian Bench in Walnut with Steel Décor
By La Famiglia Furniture
Located in Copenhagen, DK
reception, and it serves as a natural partner to the La Grande Mamma table from Christina Arnoldi's La
Brass, Steel
La Mamma Up 5 Lounge Chair & Ottoman for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Mamma Up 5 camel lounge chair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, c.2000s, Italy. The curvaceous
Foam, Upholstery
La Mamma Up 5 Bouclé Lounge Chair & Ottoman for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Mamma Up 5 powder blue bouclé lounge chair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, c.2000s, Italy. The
Bouclé, Foam
La Mamma Up 5 Bouclé Lounge Chair & Ottoman for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Mamma Up 5 teddy bear brown bouclé lounge chair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, c.2000s, Italy
Bouclé, Foam
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
La Mamma set, armchair and ottoman UP5 and 6 by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Lyon, FR
Stunning La Mamma set, 2000 series, made of the UP5 lounge chair and its UP6 ottoman. An iconic
Velvet, Foam
Sold
H 40 in W 42 in D 48 in
B&B Italia 'La Mamma' Up 5/6 Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Red Stripe by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Toronto, CA
comment on women’s rights is still hotly debated but UP5/6 (affectionately known as 'La Mamma’, 'Blow-Up
Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 40 in W 44 in D 44 in
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia La Mamma UP5 and UP6 Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 and UP6 Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Labeled on bottom. Originally designed in 1969 for a few years before it was discontinued in 1973, the UP5 & 6 loun...
Fabric, Foam
Gaetano Pesce Up5 Chair for B&B Italia, 1969
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Legendary “La Mamma” Up5 lounge chair from iconoclastic designer and artist Gaetano Pesce for B&B
Foam
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
" UP 5 " by Gaetano Pesce for C&B Italia Red Armchair with Ottoman 1970s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
known as La ‘Mamma’ or ‘Donna’ in Italy), remains one of the most important designs of the modern era
Fabric
Triple Play Side Table by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, Nr. 11/2019
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
„la mamma“ the connected chair and stool could be seen as a mother-and-child-combination – or as a
Metal
Sold
H 29.93 in W 27.17 in D 21.66 in
post-modern broadway chair by gaetano pesce for bernini, 1993, set of 4
By Gaetano Pesce, Bernini
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
pliable in form. the most famous work from this series is the ‚la mamma‘ chair – feminine, sensual
Steel
Bertina Lopes Oil on Canvas
By Bertina Lopes
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
. She entitled “La mia radice antica” (My ancient root) a set of artworks she made during the 1970s
Canvas
Gaetano Pesce, La Mamma Up 5 and Up 6
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Gaetano Pesce, La Mamma up 5 and up 6 by B and B Italia Iconic armchair and footrest Made in 1969
Other
Sold
H 40 in W 42 in D 48 in
B&B Italia 'La Mamma' Up 5/6 Lounge Chair&Ottoman, Green Stripe by Gaetano Pesce
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
comment on women’s rights is still hotly debated but UP5/6 (affectionately known as 'La Mamma’, 'Blow-Up
Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Stripe Jersey Serie Up 2000 Armchair and Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in London, GB
was born. Affectionately referred to as 'La Mamma', this is a timeless statement piece adored by
Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 40.5 in W 47.25 in D 58.13 in
Stripe Gaetano Pesce Series 2000 Up Chair & Ottoman by B & B Italia "La Donna"
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Palm Springs, CA
. Referred to as La Mamma, Big Mama, and Donna, nearly 50 years later the icon (B&B introduced a Freon
Triple Play Dining Table by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, Nr. 1/2016
By Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
„la mamma“ the connected chair and stool could be seen as a mother-and-child-combination – or as a
Metal
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Vintage La Mamma Up5 Bouclé Lounge Chair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italian, 1960s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Wesseling, DE
Absolute eye-catcher. Large designer lounge chair "La Mamma" Up 5 with matching ottoman by Gaetano
Bouclé
Sold
H 40.16 in W 46.86 in D 47.25 in
Gaetano Pesce Up 5 and Up 6 2000 Series Lounge Chair and Ottoman 'La Mamma'
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Zagreb, HR
La Mamma Up5 and Up6 Armchair from the Up 2000 series by B & B Italia. Designed in 1969 by famous
Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Up 5/6 La Mamma armchair and footrest by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia 2000 edit
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in PARIS, FR
first edition of the Mamma had no supporting structure and was made of a single block, to simplifying
Fabric, Foam
$7,149 / set
H 31.11 in W 43.31 in D 40.56 in
Italian Mid-Century Natural Leather Space Age Armchairs, 1970s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
A stunning pair of armchairs made in Italy in the 1970s. The seat is very comfortable and supportive. The pads are still original and in very good condition. Original natural leather...
Metal
Florian Schulz Large Nickel Counter Balance Pendant Light Keos, 1970
By Florian Schulz
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Florian Schulz Large Nickel Counter Balance Pendant Light Keos, 1970 Elegant, early version of large counter balance pendant light, named KEOS, by Florian Schulz, made in Germany in...
Nickel
'Floatation' Japanese Paper Suspension Lamp for Ingo Maurer
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Glendale, CA
'Floatation' Japanese paper suspension lamp for Ingo Maurer. Designed and produced by Ingo Maurer, one of the most celebrated German lighting icons since 1966. With imagination, cre...
Metal, Iron
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and iconic 1st edition circa 1971 Mah Jong modular sectional sofa consisting of ten element pillows. The sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in this avant-garde de...
Fabric, Foam
Vivai del Sud Lounge Chair in Pink Fabric Upholstery
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vivai del Sud, lounge chair, pink fabric upholstery, Italy, 1970s This vibrant and cheerful lounge chair was created in the 1970s. This playful lounge chair is upholstered in a shi...
Fabric
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$908Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Gervasoni Inout Side Table in White Ceramic with Black Dots by Paola Navone
By Paola Navone, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inout 44 is a coffee table-pouf made of ceramic in black, anthracite grey or white decorated with black polka dots or black stripes, it is characterised by a champagne cork shape, es...
Ceramic
Murano Glass Paneled Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass paneled sconces; each crafted with three curved panels of hand-blown smoked glass on a brass frame. We love the modern style and hand-crafted quality of these sc...
Brass
$2,139 / set
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Oak
$1,200
H 12.64 in W 28.15 in D 37.29 in
Japanese antique wooden sofa table/Late 19th century/Wabi-sabi low table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a board and a wooden box that were used in Japan from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. These two can be combined to make a low table. The tabletop is made of eithe...
Cedar
$2,163 / item
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
"Fit Side Table" Minimalist Travertine Cream Marble Side Table by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Side Table is a minimalist style low table made of treated Travertine marble. This side table is composed by five marble pieces, all of them assembled in a logical and harmon...
Marble, Travertine
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
$2,181Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 17.72 in D 12.6 in
Acerbis LOKUM M Coffee Table in smoked grey by Sabine Marcelis
By Acerbis, Sabine Marcelis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Matter, light and colour come together in an intense interaction of materials. This collection embodies the elegance of pure forms, elevated through the use of hand-blown glass. Sabi...
Glass, Art Glass
$2,692Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Acerbis LOKUM S Coffee Table in smoked grey by Sabine Marcelis
By Sabine Marcelis, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Matter, light and colour come together in an intense interaction of materials. This collection embodies the elegance of pure forms, elevated through the use of hand-blown glass. Sabi...
Glass, Art Glass
$23,100
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 33.47 in
"MP-43 Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The rare MP-43 armchair, made of Brazilian hardwood, is another great example of the imaginative and innovative production of designer and architect Percival Lafer. With its chro...
Wood
$8,328 / item
H 43.71 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage À Plots for Cassina, Italy, new
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material/color/model of the product. Nuage à Plots by Charlotte Perriand belongs to a select group of furnishings that are archetypal in the way of inte...
Aluminum
Gaetano Pesce was of a generation of Italian architects who in the early 1960s rebelled against the industrial perfection of modernism by conceiving new furniture and objects that were at once expressive and eccentric in form; or you might say they were more like art than functionalist design.
Born in the picturesque coastal Italian city of La Spezia in 1939, Pesce was a precocious talent who could have forged a career as an artist but opted instead to go to Venice to study architecture because, as he has said, it was “the most complex of all the arts.” Rather than having new worlds opened to him at design school, however, Pesce found the rationalist curriculum oppressive in its insistence on standardization and prescribed materials and technologies.
Pesce wanted to explore the latest of both materials and technologies to create objects and buildings never before imagined, with what he called “personalities” that spoke to the issues of the day. He was keen to examine ways to diversify mass production so that each manufactured work could be distinct.
In 1964, Pesce met Cesare Cassina, of the forward-looking furniture company C&B Italia in Milan (now known as B&B Italia), for whom he would create many important designs, beginning with a collection of what he called “transformational furniture” — two chairs and a loveseat — made entirely out of high-density polyurethane foam. To make the pieces easy to ship and cost-efficient, he proposed that after being covered in a stretch jersey, they be put in a vacuum, then heat-sealed flat between vinyl sheets. Once the foam was removed from its packaging, the piece returned to its original shape — hence, the name Up for the series, which debuted in 1969.
In addition to these pieces, Pesce proposed for the collection something he referred to as an “anti-armchair,” which took the shape of a reclining fertility goddess, the iconic Donna.
Producing the piece's complex form turned out to be a technical challenge. Bayer, the foam’s manufacturer, deemed it impossible to accomplish. Pesce persisted and came up with a new procedure, demonstrating not only the designer’s key role in researching the nature and potential of new materials but also his vital importance in “doubting rules.” The Up chair and accompanying ottoman were born, and they were revolutionary in more ways than one.
In the early 1970s, Pesce began exploring one of his key concepts, the idea of the industrial originals. Employing a mold without air holes, and adding a blood-red dye to the polyurethane, he cast a bookcase that resembled a demolished wall, the rough edges of the shelves and posts resulting from fissures in the material made by trapped air.
Through his research into polyurethane, Pesce figured out a way to make a loveseat and armchair using only a simple wood frame and strong canvas covering as a mold. Since the fabric developed random folds during the injection process, the pieces were similar but not identical. Cassina named the suite of furnishings Sit Down and introduced it in 1975. By experimenting with felt soaked in polyurethane and resin, Pesce conceived I Feltri, another collection of armchairs introduced by Cassina in 1987.
Pesce went on to live a life that defied expectation and convention and along the way became one of the most seminal figures in art and design.
Find vintage Gaetano Pesce chairs, sofas, vases and more on 1stDibs.
With its soothing soundscape, the piece pleases the ear as well as the eye.
The off-site collection comprises more than 215,000 pieces.
Over the years, Shuman has filled her Park Avenue penthouse with the Italian designer's radically colorful creations. Here's how it all came to together.