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.
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Gray Leather & Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Miami, FL
One Maggiolina lounge chair with ottoman designed Marco Zanuso in 1947, black steel frame, cowhide sling, goose down, gray leather upholstery. Made in Italy by Zanotta ottoman: 25.6"...
Steel
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Gray Leather & Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
One Maggiolina lounge chair with ottoman designed Marco Zanuso in 1947, steel frame, cowhide sling, goose down, gray leather upholstery. Made in Italy by Zanotta ottoman: 25.6" w 25...
Steel
Marco Zanuso for Arflex ‘Square’ Lounge Chair
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 'Square' lounge chair, fabric, metal, wood, Italy, 1962 This eccentric chair by Marco Zanuso is well-executed embodying a solid construction. Characteristic...
Metal
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Cream Leather & Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
One Maggiolina lounge chair with ottoman designed Marco Zanuso in 1947, steel frame, cowhide sling, goose down, cream leather upholstery. Made in Italy by Zanotta We have two sets av...
Steel
Original SENIOR Armchair by Marco ZANUSO, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The 'Senior' lounge chair, upholstered in blue wool. Metal frame with metal leg fittings and wooden construction. Literature: Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000, p. 25, illust...
Metal
$12,800 / set
Pair of Marco Zanuso “Senior” Lounge Chairs
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Marco Zanuso “Senior” Lounge Chairs Newly upholstered in mustard bouclé Brass Legs, Italy, circa 1960 Available to view in-situ at our Miami gallery.
Brass
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, lounge chair, black leather, steel, Italy, 1964 This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is no...
Steel
Original Marco Zanuso Lady Chairs, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chairs, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, golden brown coloured 100% mohair fabric. Fast shipping wo...
Brass
Original Marco Zanuso Lady Chairs, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Moss Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chairs, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, green grey coloured pure mohair fabric. Fast shipping worl...
Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Modernist Lady Arm Chairs in Powder Blue Mohair by Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Designed by the iconic Italian architect and designer Marco Zanuso, these "Lady" armchairs epitomize the groundbreaking elegance and innovation of mid-century modern design. Original...
Brass
$8,052 / item
Marco Zanuso Lady Armchair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Marco Zanuso, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the color/material of the chair. Armchair designed by Marco Zanuso in 1951, relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. An icon of 1950s Italian ...
Metal
$11,154 / item
Marco Zanuso Woodline Armchair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Marco Zanuso, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Armchair designed by Marco Zanuso in 1964, relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The seat is available in leather ...
Leather, Wood, Fabric, Ash, Walnut
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair & Pouf in Dark Brown with Black Steel Frame
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair & Pouf in Dark Brown with Black Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular frame, or with natural or...
Steel
Pair of 1962 Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of 1962 Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex A stunning pair of lounge chairs designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex in Italy, 1962—a b...
Leather, Bentwood
Marco Zanuso vintage "Regent" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Skokie, IL
Marco Zanuso vintage "Regent" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1960s Exceptional lounge chair designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1960s for Arflex...
Steel
1950's Italian Lady Armchair of Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Paris, FR
The Iconic 20th-century collectible vintage Lady chair was designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in Italy in 1951. The very comfortable design features splayed expertly polished brass ...
Brass
Marco Zanuso Original Senior Lounge Chair for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso
Located in San Francisco, CA
Marco Zanuso original senior lounge chair for Arflex. Rare and iconic chair by Marco Zanuso just newly upholstered in velvet. Very comfortable and ready to install, retains manufactu...
Brass
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, Pair of ''Lady'' Armchairs in Blue Cotton Velvet
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
An exquisite pair of Lady lounge chairs, originally designed by the renowned Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy in 1951. These remarkable chairs have undergone meticulous reupholstering,...
Metal
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Lady' Armchair in Green Upholstery
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, easy chair, fabric, metal, Italy, 1950s A quintessential representation of 1950s Italian Design, the 'Lady' armchair stands as a celebrated testament to con...
Metal
1950s Early Lady Armchair by Marco Zanuso, Alpaca Upholstery, Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in San Francisco, CA
This expertly restored early edition Lady armchair by Marco Zanuso features original patinated leg shrouds that beautifully complement the Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca bouclé upholster...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Marco Zanuso Lady Chairs, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Yellow Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chairs, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, yellow / gold coloured 100% mohair fabric. Fast shipping w...
Brass
$4,390
Marco Zanusso Lady Chair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Dublin, IE
This Marco Zanuso "Lady" chair, designed in 1951, epitomizes Italian mid-century modernism with its bold, yet graceful design. Its sleek, curved silhouette combines a sculptural stee...
Metal
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Top Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Top Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular frame, or with natural or bl...
Steel
$13,361Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set/2 Marco Zanuso Lady Armchairs, 1950s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lisboa, PT
Collectible Vintage Italian Lady Armchair designed by Marco Zanuso for the Casa e Arflex manufacturing company in the 1950s. This iconic design piece has been completely restored fr...
Brass
Marco Zanuso, Pair of Senior Chairs, 1950s and matching pair of ottomans
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Marco Zanuso, Pair of Senior Chairs, originally designed 1951, these examples likely dating from late 1950s/early 1960s and manufactured by Arflex. Accompanied by a pair of matching...
Metal, Brass
'Pair of Original Italian Mid-Century 'Lady' Chairs by Marco Zanuso & Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
A Rare Pair of Original Italian Mid-Century Modern "Lady" Chairs / Lounge Chairs / Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951 with original upholstery. The chairs are s...
Brass, Steel
Set/2 Marco Zanuso Lady Armchairs, 1950s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Arflex, Marco Zanuso, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of Collectible Vintage Italian Lady Armchairs designed by Marco Zanuso for the Casa e Arflex manufacturing company in the 1950s. This iconic design piece has been completely re...
Brass
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern Triennale Lounge Chairs, Marco Zanuso Italy 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale charis by Marco Zanuso circa 1951. Zanuso designed these Triennale lounge chairs...
Brass
Marco Zanuso, Beige Velvet, Wood, Metal, Lounge Chair, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Manhasset, NY
Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Cream Velvet, Wood, Metal, 'Square' Lounge Chair, Italy, 1960s A beige velvet, wood, and metal 'Square' lounge chair designed by Ma...
Metal
Original Marco Zanuso Lady Chairs, Italy, 1960s, For Reupholstery
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chairs, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. The original upholatery is worn and the chairs require reupholstery. They are sold as are for custom...
Brass
Two "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, New Upholstery, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Senior armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex.
Fabric
Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Lady chair' designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1951. This lady chair has chrome-plated legs and original upholstery in grey. The upholstery...
Chrome
$7,500 / set
Marco Zanuso "Weekend" Chairs
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Red Lion, PA
This pair of mid-century modern furniture pieces are "Week End" (or "Weekend") folding lounge chairs designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Marco Zanuso for Arflex. ...
Brass
"Regent" Lounge Chairs with Footstools by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Utrecht, NL
Marco Zanuso, born in 1916, was one of a group of Italian designers from Milan shaping the international idea of "good design" in the postwar years. After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano in 1939 with a degree in architecture, and serving in the Second World War, he opened his own office in 1945 and was a pioneer of the use of modern materials. Along with other pieces - such as the ‘Lady’ and the ‘Martingala’ chairs...
Metal
Woodline Chair by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1970's
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Austin, TX
Woodline black calf leather lounge chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Supple original black leather upholstery sits within a bent plywood matte black frame. Very comfortable. Italy...
Leather, Bentwood
Lady Armchair by Marco Zanusso for Arflex, Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lady armchair designed by Marco Zanuso in 1951 for Arflex, Italy. Early edition with original velvet fabric and brass bases.
Metal, Brass
$10,498 / set
Marco Zanuso Lady Chairs by Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wien, AT
A Rare Pair of Original Italian Mid-Century Modern "Lady" Chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, France with the original upholstery. The chairs are set upon a set on boldly angled and t...
Brass
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Martingala' Easy Chair in Coral Red Upholstery
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, easy chair, model 'Martingala', fabric, chromium metal, Italy, 1950s. This eccentric easy chair, designed by Italian designer Marco Zanuso in the 1950s, is...
Metal, Chrome
Marco Zanuso Antropus Armchair for Cassina, Italy, in red
By Marco Zanuso, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Armchair designed by Marco Zanuso in 1949, relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material.
Fabric
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, leather and chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1964. This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is not ...
Steel, Chrome
$10,727Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Maggiolina Brown Leather Lounge Chair with Pouf in Polished Steel Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular frame, or with natural or black nickel-satin finish. Sling in cowhide pigmentato 90. Back cushion in 100% new goose feathers in ...
Steel
$10,428Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Maggiolina Brown Leather Lounge Chair with Pouf in Polished Steel Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular frame, or with natural or black nickel-satin finish. Sling in cowhide pigmentato 90. Back cushion in 100% new goose feathers in sections. Seat cushion upholstered in polyurethane/Dacron Du Pont in sections. Fixed internal cotton cover. Removable external cover in fabric, Ecofire or leather. The model with fabric-covered cushions has the armrests covered in leather matching...
Steel
Marco Zanuso Martingala Chair – Vivid Yellow Cotton Upholstery
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Dronten, NL
A single, statement-making Martingala chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, marked with label. Upholstered in a striking yellow cotton – a 1960s Italian silhouette for maximalist and mod...
Steel
"Woodline" Lounge Chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milan, IT
"Woodline" lounge chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Unusual combination of white lacquered plywood frame and blue leather cushions.
Leather, Plywood
"Nuovasquare" Cognal Leather Settee by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located 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...
Leather
$15,400 / set
Marco Zanuso Senior Armchairs 1950-1960 for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous senior chairs that even a junior can sit in. Re-upholstery.
Brass
Pair of Vintage Lounge Chairs in the Style of Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of vintage Italian lounge chairs in newly upholstered black and white geometric design, depicting animal print, also having black leather arm rests. Made in the style of Marco Z...
Brass