$8,301 / 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
Beautiful original Gaetano UP5 + UP6, marked and labeled. Chair and ottoman set, sold together
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
$5,003
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
Fabric, Foam, Latex, Polyester
$6,028 / 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
This iconic UP5_6 armchair from the UP 2000 series, designed by Gaetano Pesce and re-released by B
Fabric, Foam
Gaetano Pesce UP5 Chair and UP6 Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gaetano Pesce UP5 'Donna' chair and UP6 ottoman, 1969 for B and B Italia.
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 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
Fabric, Foam
Gaetano Pesce Up 5 and Up 6 Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Dallas, TX
Gaetano Pesce Up 5 and 6 lounge chair and ottoman. The lounge chair is based off the woman’s form
Fabric, Foam
Gaetano Pesce's UP5 Chair and UP6 Ottoman for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
-Century or modern home. The UP5 chair represents a female figure tied to a ball-shaped ottoman
Sold
H 41 in W 45 in D 46 in
Gaetano Pesce UP5 Chair and UP6 Ottoman, New Red Upholstery, Huge, Excellent
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large Gaetano Pesce Up5 and Up6 chair and ottoman for B & B Italia. Expertly reupholstered.
Upholstery, Foam
Sold
H 40.5 in W 47.25 in L 40.5 in
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 and UP6 Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Signed
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
chair and ottoman by Gaetano Pesce, also known as the Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna chair, was reissued in
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
Gaetano Pesce for B & B Italia Up 5 Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
huge stretch fabric covered molded foam armed chair
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
Since its first appearance, the Up Series, designed in 1969 by Gaetano Pesce, has been one of the
Fabric, 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
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
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
Gaetano Pesce "UP-5" Red Striped Chair and Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gaetano Pesce for B & B Italia (Italian, founded 1966) Series "Up" arm chair and ottoman with
Gaetano Pesce Up 5 Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Madrid, ES
lounge chair Up 5 comes with the Up 6 pouf, which attaches to the chair with a nylon cord that seems to
Fabric, Upholstery
Sold
H 40.5 in W 47.25 in D 51 in
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 and UP6 Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Signed
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ottoman by Gaetano Pesce, also known as the Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna chair, was reissued in 2000 by B&B
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
"Big Mama" Up 5+6 Chair and ottoman By Gaetano Pesce For B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in The Hague, NL
Iconic lounge chair + ottoman, model up 5+6 or donna or la mama, designed in 1969 by gaetano pesce
Metal
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
Since its first appearance, the Up Series, designed in 1969 by Gaetano Pesce, has been one of the
Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Up 5 Lounge Chair with Up 6 Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce UP2000 Series
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Porto, Porto
The Big Mama chair and ottoman designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for B&B Italia. Up 2000 serie
Fabric, Foam
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
of the most outstanding expressions of design. Up 5 and Up 6 are the lounge chair and ottoman have an
Fabric, Foam
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
$5,425 / item
H 39.38 in Dm 70.87 in
Branching Chandelier, Black/Ivory with Gold Inside, Stilnovo Style, solid brass.
By Silvio Piattelli
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
For a large room, a hall or an urban loft. This midcentury style chandelier has 32 lights. Branching chandeliers has the limit of dim light output, this has finally the right design ...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
$3,240 / item
H 22.84 in Dm 22.05 in
Tortoise Torched Rattan and Salmon-Colored Anodised Aluminium Cocktail Table
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Originally created for a private commission, the cocktail table was manufactured in collaboration with a Philippines-based rattan manufacturer to produce a custom cocktail table. Th...
Aluminum
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$1,290 / item
H 17.33 in Dm 23.63 in
El Topo • Natural • Sculptural Hand-Carved Acacia & Sheepskin Ottoman by Odditi
By Odditi
Located in CAROOL, NSW, AU
A tactile piece of domestic fantasy, the El Topo ottoman is a social object, featuring a carved Acacia base, burnt using the traditional method of Shou Sugi Ban and an animalistic, y...
Wood, Sheepskin
$12,004Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 57.49 in W 129.93 in D 85.44 in
21st O'Connell I Bed Rattan Wood Leather Handmade in Portugal by Wood Tailors
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Daniel O'Connell was an Irish political leader and one of the most prominent figures in the fight for Irish independence during the 19th century. Known as "The Liberator," O'Connell ...
Brass
Large Hanging Pendant with Birch Dowels by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
The Large Hanging Pendant is part of the re-issued Smilow Lighting Collection, originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 20...
Brass
$1,700Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 11.3 in Dm 13 in
Poul Henningsen Glass PH 3½-3 Pendant for Louis Poulsen in Black Metallized
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen Glass PH 3½-3 Pendant for Louis Poulsen in Black Metallized Executed in white opal glass and choice of brass, chrome or black metallized frame. The mouth-blown white...
Metal
$1,654
H 34.45 in W 66.54 in D 13.78 in
1960s Woven Wicker Single Headboard Rattan Midcentury Rustic Provence
Located in London, GB
A single woven wicker headboard from Provence, with integrated circular bedside tables. French, c. 1960s. Between bedsides 100cm.
Wicker
$655 / item
H 10.63 in W 10.63 in D 31.5 in
1970's Copper & Brass Cantilever Explosion Proof Pendant Lamp & Green Shade
By Industrial Design
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Copper and brass cantilever lamp with brass explosion proof pendant. A solid cast brass reclaimed light fitting with new copper pipe cantilever, made in house at Loomlight Design ...
Brass, Copper
$680
H 10.24 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Nils Thorsson 'Baca' Table Lamp for Royal Copenhagen Denmark 1960s
By Royal Copenhagen, Nils Thorsson
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nils Thorsson 'Baca' Table Lamp for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1960s. This is a wonderful and quintessentially mid century Scandinavian table lamp by Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenha...
Pottery
$1,808
H 9.45 in W 12.6 in D 0.04 in
Henri Matisse (After) - Lithograph - Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
after Henri MATISSE (1869-1954) Lithograph after a drawing of 1941 Printed signature and date Book plate from Aragon. Henri Matisse: Dessins, Thèmes et Variations : précédés d...
Lithograph
Mid-Century Chrome Sputnik Chandelier
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Mid Century Modern chrome Sputnik chandelier. Any amount of chain can be added for custom hanging length. Height without chain 18 inches .
Italian Midcentury Brass Chandelier Attributed to Oscar Torlasco
By Gaetano Sciolari, Sciolari Lighting, Oscar Torlasco, Stilnovo, Arteluce
Located in Houston, TX
Italian midcentury Brass Chandelier Attributed to Oscar Torlasco. Fantastic Italian Mid-Century Modern polished brass 12-light Sputnik style chandelier attributed to Oscar Torlasco....
Brass
$843 / item
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Pink Boucle, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark wenge stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 03). This chair can be cus...
Fabric, Beech
$2,692Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Acerbis LOKUM S Coffee Table in Amber 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
$18,617 / item
H 39.38 in Dm 78.75 in
Customisable Spider ceiling light brass parchment design by Diego Mardegan Italy
By Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
A very stunning ceiling light fixture tiled Spider Special Edition. Spider Special Edition light is made of a brass structure, the arms are painted in opaque ivory colour and are fix...
Brass
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.
While this specific seating is known to all for its comfort and familiar form, the history of how your favorite antique or vintage lounge chair came to be is slightly more ambiguous.
Although there are rare armchairs dating back as far as the 17th century, some believe that the origins of the first official “lounge chair” are tied to Hungarian modernist designer-architect Marcel Breuer. Sure, Breuer wasn’t exactly reinventing the wheel when he introduced the Wassily lounge chair in 1925, but his seat was indeed revolutionary for its integration of bent tubular steel.
Officially, a lounge chair is simply defined as a “comfortable armchair,” which allows for the shape and material of the furnishings to be extremely diverse. Whether or not chaise longues make the cut for this category is a matter of frequent debate.
The Eames lounge chair, on the other hand, has come to define somewhat of a universal perception of what a lounge chair can be. Introduced in 1956, the Eames lounger (and its partner in cozy, the ottoman) quickly became staples in television shows, prestigious office buildings and sumptuous living rooms. Venerable American mid-century modern designers Charles and Ray Eames intended for it to be the peak of luxury, which they knew meant taking furniture to the next level of style and comfort. Their chair inspired many modern interpretations of the lounge — as well as numerous copies.
On 1stDibs, find a broad range of unique lounge chairs that includes everything from antique Victorian-era seating to vintage mid-century modern lounge chairs by craftspersons such as Hans Wegner to contemporary choices from today’s innovative designers.