If an Italian soldier named Renzo Frau had never traveled to Great Britain and set eyes on a Chesterfield armchair, it is unlikely that legendary handcrafted furniture maker Poltrona Frau and its classic sofas, armchairs and vanities would exist today.
Upon completing his service in the Italian army during the early 1900s, the Sardinian-born Frau worked for faux leather manufacturing company Dermoide Patent in Turin. While at the firm, he was sent to England, where he became enamored with leather Chesterfield armchairs. Intrigued and inspired by their rolled arms and tall, imposing profile, Frau returned to Turin, where he started his own leather-upholstered furniture company, Poltrona Frau, in 1912. He began to import the sumptuous Edwardian seating for the high-end domestic market.
Frau made slight modifications to the English seat that he’d so admired, and among Poltrona Frau’s first successful designs was an iconic armchair in 1919 appropriately called the Chester. Believed to have been custom-made for Filiberto Ludovico of Savoy, Duke of Pistoia, the Chester reflected the era’s emerging Art Deco style. Frau’s chair was comfortable and functional, and he implemented the traditional upholstery technique capitonné, which refers to stuffing that is buttoned. The Chester featured a pouf and an arm that was possibly included to hold the Duke’s ashtray. The seat’s high-quality craftsmanship and integration of exquisite full-grain leather made it covetable among Italy’s elite.
When Renzo Frau died in 1926, Poltrona Frau was appointed furniture supplier to Italy’s royal family. The company furnished grand hotels, designed the interiors for Expo Turin 1928 and outfitted an Italian transatlantic ocean liner.
For more than a century, Poltrona Frau has collaborated with hundreds of leading architects and designers from around the world. It issued such iconic mid-century modern pieces as Gio Ponti’s Dezza armchair, the 1960s-era Dilly Dally vanity by Italian designer Luigi Massoni, stackable tubular steel Movie armchairs by Italian architect Mario Marenco and French architect Jean-Marie Massaud’s sleek, angular Kennedee office sofa.
Poltrona Frau has established showrooms all over the world and creates interiors for Italian automotive brands Maserati and Ferrari. The company is owned by Haworth and continues to introduce innovative, handmade home furnishings while occasionally gazing back into time — its Chester line, a modular seating system by Poltrona Frau CEO Nicola Coropulis and Roberto Lazzeroni, is a contemporary interpretation of the founder’s original Chesterfield-style seating.
Find vintage Poltrona Frau club chairs, coffee tables, desks and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Large Murano Glass and Steel Floor Lamp by Jean-Marie Massaud
By Poltrona Frau, Jean-Marie Massaud
Located in London, GB
A large Murano glass and steel floor lamp by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau.The large cream square shade original, please check images for condition. Circa 2006.
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair Poltrona Frau Leather Clip Lamps in Chocolate Brown
By Poltrona Frau
Located in London, GB
Pair of clip on reading light by Poltrona Frau Italy with touch screen with LED on flexible metal arm covered with chocolate brown pleated leather. The light clips on the back of a chair or sofa of approximate 7 cm. Marked with Poltrona Frau leather...
Metal
$6,475 / set
H 32.5 in Dm 6.5 in
Modernist Pair of Handblown X-Form Lamps in Handblown Murano Mercury Glass
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of table lamps were hand blown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. They feature tapere...
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Totem Floor Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Floor lamp from the island of Murano outside of Venice, Italy. This piece is made with a chrome structure and hand-blown glass elements stacked in a totem structure. Each element of ...
Chrome
Rare Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's
By Boréns Aktiebolag Lighting 1
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Boréns in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H):...
Brass
Pair of Antique Leather Riding Boot Lamps, 1950s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly unique pair of vintage lamps constructed of mounted antique English riding boots. Century-old leather is weathered and patina'ed throughout. Plaques are dark, stained wood...
Brass
$6,475 / set
H 36 in Dm 6.5 in
Modernist Pair of Handblown X-Form Lamps in Handblown Murano Mercury Glass
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of table lamps were hand blown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. They feature tapere...
Murano Glass
Rare Table Lamp in Brass, Leather and Original Lamp Shade, 1950's
By Harald Notini
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Table Lamp in Brass, Leather and Original Lamp Shade, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, leather and original lamp shade Style: ...
Brass
Pair of Jacques Adnet Black Leather Table Lamps, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated, sculptural, and impossibly chic! This pair of Jacques Adnet table lamps brings the kind of quiet luxury that whispers, “Yes, I do have impeccable taste.” Wrapped in Adnet’s signature hand-stitched black leather, each lamp stands on a tripod base that feels equal parts equestrian elegance and modern French minimalism. The clean, tailored lines are beautifully balanced with oversized cream shades that cast a soft, flattering glow. Perfect for framing a console, elevating nightstands, or stealing the show on matching end tables. They’re the kind of lamps that make every room feel suddenly intentional. New custom silk lampshades. Newly rewired for US standards with cloth cord and on/off hand switch. Matching pair of red leather Adnet lamps...
Brass
Pair of Jacques Adnet Red Leather Table Lamps, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined example of French modernism, this pair of Jacques Adnet table lamps features his signature of luxury materials. Each lamp is wrapped in rich red leather with saddle-stitche...
Brass
Rare Desk / Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Desk / Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by AB E. Hansson & Co in Malmö, Sweden...
Brass
$4,850 / set
H 28.4 in Dm 13.75 in
Spanish Art Deco Design Pair of Black Brown Veneer & Gold Leaf Cylindrical Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A contemporary pair of tall glamorous Hollywood regency design lamps, handmade in black and gold, high quality of execution with a sleek and modern mirror-like finish, the stem as an...
Metal, Brass, Gold Leaf
$2,283
H 39.38 in Dm 11.82 in
CARLO NASON - MAZZEGA - Floor lamp made of blown MURANO glass and steel.
Located in Milano, IT
CARLO NASON - MAZZEGA - Floor lamp but which because of its height , 1 meter, could be used over a piece of furniture giving a different and tasteful touch. The lamp has 8 light poin...
Steel
Steel and Murano glass floor lamp, 1970s
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Floor lamp, 1970, featuring a decorative design typical of the period. The main structure is made of steel, with clean, modern lines that reflect the minimalist aesthetic of the 1970...
Steel