Automaton Sofas

A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...

This is a very important piece of design history, and to understand why - it is all in the details, so to anyone interested in modern art and interior design, please keep reading. Vladimir Kagan’s 'Roll Back Day Bed' (model #6718) was originally conceived as a one-off design for a client in the 1950s. Valdimir Kagan selected Rosewood and Lucite, materials he had just started experimenting with at that time, blended it into a futuristic frame with a brass-capped cylindrical adjustable back cushion that can transform the sofa into a daybed and even into a double sided gallery seating system. All on top of Lucite legs giving the appearance the sofa is floating above ground. By all accounts - Vladimir Kagan advertisements, catalogues, the design community and even the team at Vladimir Kagan Designs had it documented that the design (model 6718 Roll Back Day Bed) was first put into production in 1967, however this one - this exact sofa in the photos and listed for sale, IS THE ONE that he created in the 1950s for a special one-off client. And it was later, in 1967 that he decided to bring the design into production, all based on this concept model which we have listed for sale. This is all documented with the Vladimir Kagan archives under registry 25073. They were thrilled to have found this surviving example and have added it into their archives, knowledge-base and timelines. They wrote: "We conducted a detailed review of the Kagan Archive, and we were puzzled to find that Vladimir consistently dated the release of the Roll Back Day Bed to 1967. Also based on Vladimir’s accounts, Hugo Dreyfuss retired in 1960, ending their partnership. This would mean that your example pre-dates the “earliest production date” we have on record for the Roll Back Day Bed or Roll Back Sofa...

An exceptionally rare and historically important three-seat sofa designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the Hotel SESC in Rio de Janeiro. This set comprises the sculptural 'ON' sofa accompan...

Eat your hearts out Jansen collectors, this Maison Jansen loveseat is signed underneath with 'Jansen/ Industria Argentina' stenciled fabric signifying this important upholstered sett...

An icon of American modernism and one of the most refined seating designs of the 20th century, this is the celebrated Eames Three-Seat Sofa designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herm...

It doesn't get much cooler than this early year (original) collectors set of the model-932 'Quartet' sectional by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Released in 1964, this example has incredible thick leather hides in a gorgeous patinated cognac color. The leather is remarkable, and with the perfect amount of patina that you want to see - for those leather lovers out there, don't hesitate to buy this Bellini 932...

Here's a rarely seen yet documented design - this circa 1970s 'FK-883' sofa in black leather by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International and distributed b...

For those who love beautifully distressed leather, this three-seat sofa designed by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International in the 1960s is a fantastic col...

An original Warren Platner for Knoll International sofa, designed in 1966 and produced in the late 1960s–1970s. Part of Platner’s iconic collection that transformed industrial steel rods into sculptural furniture forms, this rare loveseat / sofa features the elusive bronze wire frame, far less common than the nickel-plated versions, and no longer in production. The curved architectural silhouette is formed from hundreds of vertical steel rods, welded with horizontal rings to create a structure that is at once airy and monumental. The base is finished in the original bronze patina, lending warmth and depth that distinguishes it from later reproductions. Knoll ceased production of the Platner sofa...

This incredible model #133 leather sofa by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar features gorgeous medium brown leather and Mahogany 'bracket back' legs, perfect for floating the sofa in the roo...

This phenomenal buffalo leather three-seat sofa is by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll International (designed in 1988) and signed with Knoll decking fabric and Knoll Made in Ital...

This monumentally sized modular 'Camaleonda' sectional living room set (fourteen pieces in total) by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, each section signed with labels as can be seen in the photos. Included in the set are eight (8) full-sized seat sections, each is quite large and spacious which adds to the incredible comfort. And six (6) full-sized seat backs leaving two of the seat sections to be used as ottomans or free-floating seat elements to open the sectional to either side. This set has been previously professionally reupholstered with only light use and in very good condition. Designed by Mario Bellini in 1970 for C&B Italia, later produced after 1973 by B&B Italia after Piero Busnelli bought out Cassina and changed the name to B&B. This set consists of six sections labelled with C&B labels and two sections with B&B labels, meaning that most of this set was produced between 1970 and 1973 - the original production years of the Camaleonda, and making this set ideal for collectors and investors of art and design. *We have a large quantity of other Camaleonda elements (C&B Italia and B&B Italia examples, both in mohair fabric and in leather including some sets ready for reupholstery to a new fabric or leather of your choice) if you are looking for a larger set, contact us to discuss. MEASUREMENTS: *This is a modular set with fourteen (14) total pieces and can be configured in many ways as each seating section can be placed wherever you desire and the seat backs can be fixed to the seating elements where you want. You can configure as one large sectional sofa, three-seat couch with loveseats...

This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' three-seat sofa (authentic signed and earlier year production example with low number production number stamped on the fram...

This very rare fiberglass loveseat sofa is by Tue Poulsen for Domus Danica, circa 1970, and is one of approximately 80 pieces within a collection of fiberglass furniture that were produced for a design exhibition at the Bella Center in Copenhagen Denmark. The cushions have been newly upholstered in dead stock (never used vintage) Pierre Cardin fabric. This settee sofa, also referred to as a double lounge chair, was accompanied with other living room furniture for this collection which included a lounge chair, sofa, chaise lounge and tables. The voluptuous shapes were created in Poulsen's ceramic workshop, and pays homage to the ceramicists skills and vision in his tenured career as a sculptor and artist. Included in the photo gallery is a photo of Tue Poulsen with a chair example of the same design. In the same photo is documentation of the chair design and production photos when the chair was originally conceptualized and created, provided by Tue Poulsen to dealer/collector 'Deerstedt' (photo credit also to 'Deerstedt'). This rare space age fiberglass love seat...

If you are someone who seeks the absolute best of the best - this is for you. This is an all original modular Camaleonda sectional by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia made within the...

This spectacular example of Vladimir Kagan design was produced by American Leather in 2012, in its original Alcantara (ultrasuede) in a medium grey color called 'Otter', signed under...

This newly reupholstered loveseat sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, circa 1970s, features a graceful chrome frame with nubby white bouclé fabric. Signed with 1960s/ 1970s Sormani label as shown in photo gallery. *Note, we have the matching pair of club chairs available in another listing. The graceful frame shares a design quality with Cassina's LC2 / LC3 design by Le Corbusier, as they are 'buckets of cushions' in similar fashion and comfort. However this Sormani sofa features some unique subtle details, such as the slight "twist" in the rear legs (see photos). Signed with a Sormani label, this particular rare design is attributed to Claudio Salocchi. While there were several other famous designers who created works for Sormani in this time period, the style best matches Salocchi's work. For collectors looking for something unique and rare within a collection of 1960s/ 1970s Italian designs, this pair two-seater couch is an amazing opportunity. This Cassina LC2 / LC3 loveseat...

A striking example of mid-century American contract design, this three-seat tandem sofa was sourced directly from the Long Beach Airport (used in the 1950s and 60s) and embodies the ...

This incredible Paul Frankl attributed 'Speed' full living room suite is comprised of a three-seat sofa, a 2-seat sofa, armchair and ottoman. The 3-seat sofa and armchair are original 1930s production based on the interior construction details and visible age. The 2-seat sofa and ottoman were created later in the 1980s to match the set and everything was then reupholstered to a thick quality black leather. I personally love this set - the wide arms are perfect for placing a glass of Scotch and an ashtray to enjoy a nice cigar. The deep black color and matching black block feet provide ample masculine style while the shape and silhouette provide a refined and classy vibe. The leather is thick and quality, also smooth and soft to the touch. The collector who acquired this sofa and armchair, purportedly in the 1980s, stated he found what he believed to be a Frankl Galleries (Paul Frankl's 1930s showroom) original example of the Speed sofa...

This beautiful curvy and fluid Post-Modern sofa by Weiman is in soft and luxurious tan colored leather, features a single lucite leg and is signed underneath with a Weiman label. Designed by Robert L. Ebel and produced by Wieman in the 1980s and 90s, this curvaceous sofa was inspired by Vladimir Kagan's designs such as the 'Cloud' sofa by Directional, the 'Serpentine' sofa by Kagan...

This stylish Mid-Century Modern three-seat sofa, attributed to model 1676 by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb featuring a blonde wood frame and velvet upholstery. This sofa was ...