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 Tocco Upholstery with Nickel Satin Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Tocco Upholstery with Nickel Satin Frame by Marco Zanuso Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular...
Nickel
Pair of Folding Chairs Celestina 70s, 80s by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Padova, IT
2 Celestina chairs by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1978, 1990s. Famous leather folding chairs with a high quality finish. Marco Zanuso (Milan, May 14, 19...
Metal
Pair of Marco Zanuso Brown Leather & Brass Slipper Chairs by Arflex Italy 1955
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Marco Zanuso for Arflex slipper chairs. Measurements: 21" D seat , 20" W seat, 15" H seat front, 13" H seat back, 24" H back seat, 33"H overall.
Brass, Metal
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Top Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
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
Large Marco Zanuso Armchairs with Walnut Feet
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Marco Zanuso armchairs with walnut wood feet - Italy, 1960s Extra large simple square shape newly reupholstered in ultra soft chenille Great cubist shape with iron legs and waln...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Celestina folding chairs by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta - 70s, 80s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Padova, IT
2 Celestina chairs by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1978. Famous leather folding chairs with a high quality finish. Marco Zanuso (Milan, May 14, 1916 - Milan, July 11, 2001) was an Ital...
Metal
Celestina Chairs by Marco Zanuso, Lacquered Steel & Leather, 1978
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lacquered steel, leather. Measures: H 83 cm/ 2' 8 2/3" W 38 cm/ 14 15/16" D 44 cm/ 17 1/3" SH 46 cm/ 18 1/8".
Steel
Set of 2 red "Lamda" chairs, Design. Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper for Gavina
By Marco Zanuso, Gavina, Richard Sapper
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of two red chairs with the model name "Lamda" was made by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper for Gavina in the 1960s. The pieces are made of stamp...
Steel
Zanotta Celestina Folding Chair in Black Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Celestina Folding Chair in Black Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso Frame in black or white painted steel. Nylon seat and back covered in...
Steel
"SD 57" chair by Marco Zanuso for Poggi, Italy, 1973
By Marco Zanuso, Poggi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Introducing a masterpiece of furniture design from the 1970s: the model SD57 chair designed by renowned Italian designer Marco Zanuso. This chair is a perfect combination of elegance...
Leather, Ash
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Trama Upholstery with Black Nickel Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in Trama Upholstery with Black Nickel Frame by Marco Zanuso Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular...
Nickel
$929Sale Price / item|20% Off
Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper, ‘Lambda’ Chairs, Gavina Production, Italy, 1959
By Gavina, Marco Zanuso
Located in Argelato, BO
Designed by the famous Italian architect Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper nel 1959, the chair has an absolutely futuristic shape for the times which it was made. The "Lambda" was desi...
Metal
Zanotta Celestina Folding Chair in White Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Celestina Folding Chair in White Painted Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso Frame in black or white painted steel. Nylon seat and back covered in...
Steel
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in White Leather & Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Maggiolina Lounge Chair in White Leather & Steel Frame by Marco Zanuso Ø 11/16” 18/8 polished or black painted steel tubular frame, or with natural or black nickel-satin...
Steel
Italian modern red black Celestina folding chair Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red black Celestina folding chair Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1970s Folding chair mod. Celestina. The metal frame is painted red, the backrest and seat are made of bands...
Metal
Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper Metal ‘Lambda’ Chairs, Italy, 1959
By Richard Sapper, Marco Zanuso
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Set of four Lambda chairs by Richard Sapper and Marco Zanuso for Gavina, Italy 1959. Industrial and revolutionary design made from stamped and enameled metal and rubber feet. The tec...
Metal
$5,623 / item
H 29.93 in W 27.17 in D 31.11 in
ARCH Lounge Chair in Oak and Sheepskin Upholstery by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
ARCH Lounge Chair in Oak and Sheepskin Upholstery by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 69 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin. With the new ARCH collection, mazo forges new paths wit...
Other
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962. The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" armchair, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commitment to modern...
Velvet
Marco Zanuso 'Regent' Armchair, Arflex, Italy, 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare 'Regent' armchair was designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex in Italy in the 1960s. Characteristic for this iconic model are the generous, outward placed armrests ...
Metal
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
Pair of Chesterfield Leather Slipper Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wonderful and unusual pair of leather slipper chairs in the Chesterfield style. These are relatively smaller in scale than a normal chesterfield club chairs. Crafted from premium...
Leather
$3,485
H 32.29 in W 32.29 in D 28.35 in
Set of Two Brown Armchairs in the Manner of Marco Zanuso, Ladychairs, Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchairs - Italy, 1950s. This piece is identically constructed to the Lady chair, a design by Marco Zanuso, only the base of the chair differs. The arm...
Metal
$750Sale Price / set|76% Off
H 32 in W 30.5 in D 28 in
Chic Pair of Estate Slipper Chairs, Matte Black Fabric
Located in Bronx, NY
chic pair of estate slipper chairs in a cool stretch matte black fabric with a waterfall skirt and inset pleats. Fully refurbished.
Italian Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, Italy, 1970s This mobile lounge chair is completely covered in high quality, thick leather that patinated beautifully over the years. The round form of the cu...
Leather
Golden Marco Zanuso “Regent” Armchair, Italy 1950's
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Classic Regent armchair by Marco Zanuso with its Ottoman, both on casters, we also have the round feet model. 32x32x31 seat 18 arm 21 Ottoman 22x21x12
Velvet
Original SENIOR Armchair by Marco ZANUSO, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, Berlin
An early original 'Senior' lounge chair, upholstered in new green English velvet. Metal frame with brass leg fittings and wooden construction. Literature: Repertorio del Design Ital...
Velvet
$14,700 / set
H 31 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
'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
$1,661
H 27.96 in W 43.71 in D 38.19 in
1967, Paolo Lomazzi, Donato D'urbino, Jonathan de Pas, for Zanotta, Blow Chair
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) This was the first mass-produced inflatable chair...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.47 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in
Marco Zanuso for Zanotta Set of 4 Chairs "Celestina," Italy 1980s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Naples, IT
Celestina, the folding chair designed by Marco Zanuso and first presented by Zanotta in 1978, revolutionizes the concept of the traditional folding chair, giving it unprecedented str...
Steel
Marco Zanuso, Six dining chairs mod. SD57, prod. 70s Poggi
By Poggi, Marco Zanuso
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set of six dining chairs mod. SD57, prod. Poggi 1970s. Wooden frame, leather seat Some defects on the seats
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
Marco Zanuso, set of 4 Celestina foldable chairs for Zanotta, 1978
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Uppsala, SE
Set of four foldable Celestina chairs designed by renowned designer Marco Zanuso for Zanotta in 1978. Frame of black lacquered metal with seat and back of black cowhide over a nylon ...
Metal
Marco Zanuso Adjustable Boucle and Wood Armchairs
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Marco Zansuo adjustable armchairs - Italy 1960's Chairs have wooden L-shape base with an inlayed brass mechanism on the side that can recline seat into...
Bouclé, Wood, Leather
Marco Zanuso Armchairs
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Marco Zanuso armchairs with wooden feet - Italy, 1960s Reupholstered in "teddy bear" colored boucle Great cubist shape / anglular arms.
Bouclé, Mahogany
Regent Armchair by Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Long Island City, NY
Regent armchair by Marco Zanuso. .
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 15.5 in D 18.5 in
Marco Zanuso for Zanotta Celestina Set of 4 Black Leather Modern Folding Chairs
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An iconic set of 4 folding chairs with a black steel frame with black leather banding by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta Celestina. Italy 1970s. A fantastic...
Steel
Sold
H 35.63 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Marco Zanuso for Arflex Mid-Century 'Lady Chair' Armchairs Italian Circa 1950
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Pair of Mid-Century 'Lady Chair' armchairs designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex. Original solid brass feet. Re-upholstered in faded brown Bouclé. Dimensions: H 90...
Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 18.51 in D 15.36 in
Italian Modern Red Metal Lamda Chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso, Richard Sapper
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red metal Lamda model chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper, 1970s. Lamda model chair, entirely in original red metal of the time, with curved back. Present of the...
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.78 in D 23.63 in
Black Leather in the Style of Marco Zanuso, circa 1960s Three Armchairs
By Marco Zanuso
Located in IT
1960s Black Leather Zanuso for Poltronova Three Armchairs Available wood Armrest and steel leg endings Price refers to single piece Size : Conditions : wears coherent with age ,...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Marco Zanuso Senior Armchairs for Arflex, Italy c1950
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in London, GB
Original Marco Zanuso 'Senior' armchairs for Arflex. Italy c1950. Re upholstered in a soft 'greige' colour velvet. (Neutral beige / grey).
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 26.97 in W 25.99 in D 30.12 in
Set of Two Marco Zanuso 'Baronet' Chairs for Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Hellouw, NL
A nice pair of Baronet lounge chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. These chairs, which date to roughly 1964, still bear their original labels. The foundation is built of wood with vene...
Leather, Wood