Architect and designer Cesare Lacca is renowned for the modernist furniture he created during the 1950s. Made with materials like teak, glass and brass, his work continues to command great interest from mid-century modern collectors. His pieces have recently found their way onto some of the 21st century’s most trendy television and movie sets.
Lacca was born in Naples, Italy, in 1929. Like many Italian designers in the 20th century, he moved to Milan after World War II to launch his career. At the age of 20, he was selected by a group of American curators for inclusion in the 1951 landmark exhibition “Italy at Work: Her Renaissance in Design Today” at the Art Institute of Chicago. It showcased Italian designers who had embraced modernist principles and rejuvenated traditional Italian crafts, like Carlo Mollino, Franco Albini and Gio Ponti.
Lacca designed a dizzying array of tea carts and serving trolleys across his career, including magazine racks and coffee tables. Lacca’s most well-known piece is a tea cart — most commonly used as a bar cart — that Cassina manufactured. It features beautifully sculpted beech, cedar, teak and walnut with brass details, a glass tabletop and a removable glass tray.
This Lacca cart was featured as Don Draper’s office bar in his Manhattan advertising agency on several episodes of the wildly popular television show Mad Men, reinvigorating the interest of collectors. Several other Lacca pieces have been part of the set decorations in the television series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the movie Being the Ricardos.
On 1stDibs, find Cesare Lacca tables, racks and stands, seating and more.
Cesare Lacca Slipper Chair in Faux fur and Dark Blue Satin, Italy, 1950s
By Casa e Giardino, Cesare Lacca
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid and rare Cesare Lacca slipper chair in Faux fur and dark blue Satin, manufactured by Casa and Giardino, the famed Interiors store owned by Fede Cheti. Italy 1950s Referenc...
Satin, Faux Fur, Wood
$17,900 / set
H 26.75 in W 21.35 in D 29.5 in
Maurizio Tempestini, Slipper Chairs, Iron, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and black-lacquered iron slipper lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, Italy, 1950s. Stamped "Made in Italy". Seat height: 12.65”
Iron
Italian Turquoise Velvet Sofa by Cesare Lacca, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant two-seater sofa designed by Cesare Lacca in Italy during the 1950s. This sculptural piece embodies the refined balance between organic form and architectural precision typica...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Slipper Chairs in the style of James Mont.
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of slipper chairs in the style of James Mont.
Wood
Gilbert Rohde Slipper Chair
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The Gilbert Rohde slipper chair designed for Herman Miller, having an upholstered round seat supporting a separate upholstered back all on four turned legs.
Upholstery
$15,500 / set
H 31 in W 34 in D 31 in
Baker Ivory Satin Slipper Chairs Attributed to Michael Taylor, circa 1950s, Pair
By Michael Taylor, James Mont, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
An absolutely jaw-dropping pair of meticulous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency lounge chairs in original tufted ivory satin from a boutique series produced by Baker Furniture, circa 1960. Extremely rare Baker Furniture chairs in the style of James Mont. Stout, expertly crafted ebonized solid mahogany construction. This fabulous design is routinely attributed to the work of the esteemed Michael Taylor. The unmistakable look of old money...
Satin, Mahogany
Set of Slipper Chairs by Selig in Plush Mohair, C. 1950s
By Selig
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning pair of slipper chairs by Selig, circa 1950s, boasting elegant bronze handles and tapered walnut legs. Fully restored and newly upholstered in luxurious gray-blue mohair, ...
Bronze
$3,700 / set
H 32 in W 24 in D 29.5 in
Vintage Grosfeld House Ebonized Wood, Upholstered Side or Slipper Chairs MCM
By Grosfeld House
Located in North Miami, FL
These elegant vintage Grosfeld House Hollywood Regency side or slipper chairs have an unusual beaded wood detail, that is pierced carvings to the apron of the front of the chairs. Th...
Upholstery, Wood
Midcentury Italian Slipper Chair, Circa 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Midcentury Italian slipper chair with an elongated and flared back, plush seat with corner pleats, and raised on black lacquered legs and brass capped feet. The accent chair is uphol...
Brass
Set of Two Wing Back Slipper Chairs, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two wing-back slipper chairs.
Fabric, Wood
Rosewood Rococo Revival Slipper Chairs France A Pair
Located in Hudson, NY
An exceptional pair of French Rococo Revival slipper chairs in Rosewood. Each chair meticulously carved with intricate detailing of flora-form in various states of bloom. Retaining the original wooden rollers and brass casters. These have been reupholstered in a gorgeous champagne colored shantung silk. One of them retained the original label from Florian Papp...
Silk, Rosewood
Pair of Napoleon III Giltwood Slipper Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A striking pair of Napoleon III giltwood chairs on casters, newly upholstered in a woven block chain velvet, chocolate leather trim, nailhead detail, and a lofty down seat cushion. F...
Giltwood
1950s Midcentury Modern Slipper Chair in Osbourne and Little Fabric
Located in Stamford, CT
Newly upholstered midcentury modern slipper chair in Osbourne and Little fabric. Seat depth is 19.5".
Upholstery, Wood