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.
Italian Period Mid-Century Poltrona Frau Armchairs
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Austin, TX
Italian leather armchairs in the manner of Poltrona Frau, featuring elegant saddle-leather construction with fully wrapped legs and a suspended seat. Architectural winged arms and a ...
Leather
$3,206Sale Price / set|46% Off
French Pair of Christian Biecher Armchairs for Poltrona Frau, 1990s
By Christian Biecher, Poltrona Frau
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage pair of armchairs designed by French architect Christian Biecher for an elite Parisian restaurant named le Korova in 1999. These were edited by Italian notable f...
Aluminum
2013 Ginger Ale Leather Dining Chairs by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau
By Roberto Lazzeroni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Ginger Ale dining chairs designed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau. The listed price includes one dining chair, and we have two chairs...
Steel
$3,450 / set
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 33.86 in
Tito Agnoli For Poltrona Frau Leather Lounge Chairs by, Italy 1970s
By Tito Agnoli, Poltrona Frau
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Lounge chairs by Tito Agnoli For Poltrona Frau, Italy 1970s Magnific set of two lounge chairs manufactured by Poltr...
Leather
$11,056Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 28.35 in W 35.83 in D 30.32 in
Poltrona Frau Aida Swivel Armchairs by Roberto Lazzeroni, Set of Four
By Poltrona Frau, Roberto Lazzeroni
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Aida Swivel Armchair by Poltrona Frau, the perfect combination of luxury and comfort. Crafted with high quality materials and expert Italian craftsmanship, this armch...
Leather
Pair Vintage Poltrona Frau Teal Leather Chairs
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this pair of sculptural leather covered chairs by Poltrona Frau date from the 1980s. Chairs have a cubist shape with dramatically flared arms and silver tone metal le...
Metal
Fauteuil Poltrona Frau Archibald
By Jean-Marie Massaud, Poltrona Frau
Located in Moutier, CH
Véritable icône du design contemporain, le fauteuil Archibald de Poltrona Frau séduit par son élégance naturelle et son confort exceptionnel. Imaginé par le célèbre designer Jean-Mar...
Aluminum, Steel
$2,920 / set
H 22.84 in W 45.28 in D 36.23 in
Pair of 1970s armchairs by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, in cognac-colored leather.
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Milano, IT
A pair of armchairs from the 1970s designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, featuring a distinctive design and high-quality materials. The cognac-colored leather upholstery gives...
Leather
$10,699 / set
H 35.83 in W 31.11 in D 39.38 in L 35.83 in
First Edition Poltrona Frau Metropolis Armchairs, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Melchiorre Bega, Guglielmo Ulrich, Poltrona Frau
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of first edition Metropolis armchairs by Poltrona Frau, Italy 1950s. Newly upholstered in a bespoke, premium, soft, pure alpaca wool fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca, Wood
$3,250
H 33.86 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Poltrona Frau “Dream B” Lounge Chair, Turquoise Pelle Frau Leather, Italy, 1978
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking vintage Poltrona Frau “Dream B” lounge chair, dating from 1978, upholstered in the distinctive turquoise Pelle Frau® leather. With its generous proportions, sculptural si...
Leather
$1,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 24.02 in
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau Pair of 'Movie' Armchairs in Saddle Leather
By Poltrona Frau, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, pair of armchairs model 'Movie', lacquered metal, leather, Italy, 1984 Italian furniture designer Mario Marenco drew inspiration from cinema seats, ...
Metal
$3,550
H 26.97 in W 24.41 in D 22.25 in
"Dinette" Armchair by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in Cognac Leather
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Hellouw, NL
Designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1972, the Dinette armchair brings together an enveloping backrest and a distinctive architectural base. Cognac leather covers the chair...
Leather
$4,950
H 45 in W 34 in D 28 in
Antropovarius Lounge Chair by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche for Poltrona Frau
By Poltrona Frau, Ferdinand A. Porsche
Located in North Miami, FL
Antropovarius reclining lounge chair designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1982. The chair was designed in colla...
Steel
$2,279
H 38.59 in W 32.68 in D 34.65 in
Poltrona Frau Viking Leather Lounge Chair by Sigurd Resell, 1970
By Sigurd Resell, Poltrona Frau
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The Poltrona Frau Viking is one of the most impressive lounge chairs of its time, combining Scandinavian design tradition with Italian craftsmansh...
Leather
Fauteuil Poltrona Frau Vanity Fair
By Poltrona Frau, Renzo Frau
Located in Moutier, CH
Véritable icône du design italien, le fauteuil Vanity Fair, modèle 904, a été conçu par Renzo Frau et introduit en production en 1930. Sa silhouette généreuse et enveloppante, hérité...
Leather, Beech
Baxter Corinne Chair by Roberto Lazzeroni, Set of Four
By Roberto Lazzeroni
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the stunning Baxter Corinne Chair, designed by the renowned Roberto Lazzeroni. This luxurious piece exudes elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect addition to ...
Wood
Pair of French Louis XVI Armchairs, Pair of Parisiens Fauteuils
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of French Louis XVI Armchairs, Pair of Parisiens Fauteuils A stunning pair of original 19th Century French Louis XVI armchairs...
Beech, Fabric
Tito Agnoli Black Leather Lounge Chair for Poltrona Frau
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing Timeless Elegance: Tito Agnoli's 1980s Black Leather Armchair Le Capanelle by Poltrona Frau Indulge in the epitome of style and comfort with the exquisite black leather ...
Leather
Set of Four Leather and Wood Dining Chairs by Poltrona Frau. 'Louise'
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four Leather and Wood Dining Chairs by Poltrona Frau. 'Louise' Color is an off-white to oatmeal. The structure is crafted with solid ash and beech wood with polyurethane foa...
Leather, Wood
Leather Poltrona Frau Armchairs
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant pair of Poltrona Frau leather armchairs with their original, excellent two tone leather. We loved the flailing cherry wood legs and timeless sophisticated design. The chairs ...
Leather, Cherry
Sold
H 32.5 in W 16.75 in D 20 in
Pair of Poltrona Frau Lola Dining Side Chairs by Pierluigi Cerri Cognac Leather
By Pierluigi Cerri, Poltrona Frau
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of Lola cognac colored leather dining side chairs. Designed by Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau in 1997. This vintage pair are in wonderful condition. There are small nicks and scratches as would come with age and use but nothing outstanding. Please see photos. This pair retain their original stickers dating them to 2002. And, we also have the original care kit that same along with the new chairs. Outstanding pair of leather dining chairs...
Leather
Italian Poltrona Frau Modern Armchairs Set of Four
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Austin, TX
Italian design dining or game chairs by Poltrona Frau. All armchairs have the original black finish, are marked with the Poltrona Frau label and have been reupholstered in a modern b...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Poltrona Frau Liz Chairs in Blue Leather
By Poltrona Frau
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $ 950. Wonderful in opaline blue leather from Poltrona Frau a pair of Liz chairs. Both stamped with the Poltrona Frau seal and tagged underneath...
Leather