While origin stories behind the world’s timeless designs vary widely, the story of the Maralunga sofa is one of the best in design lore: As legend has it, when Cassina founder Cesare Cassina first saw the prototype for the piece in the mid-1970s by Italian furniture designer Vico Magistretti (1920–2006), he was so disgusted by it that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumbled over itself . . . into the shape the piece would eventually take. (“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” Magistretti allegedly responded.)
Whether it was his accidental adjustment or further consideration of the design, Cassina clearly came around: His company debuted Magistretti’s design in 1973. The Maralunga is characterized by what looks like a slumped backrest but is really an adjustable-height headrest, moved by way of a bicycle chain that runs underneath its plush foam cushions.
The effect is a sofa that serves two functions: It’s both a backdrop for social conversation and a setting for solo relaxation. “My intention with Maralunga was to design an object that represented a whole range of interior architecture with a familiar feel,” Magistretti said of the design. “Two positions, two possible uses, two different ways to create your own personal space inside a room.”
While the Maralunga’s boxy shape is pure ’70s, the sofa holds its own in a range of interiors and remains popular today. Cassina now produces it in a variety of upholstery options and, in 2014, enlisted a slew of designers to reinterpret it in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
$3,907 / item
Maralunga Sofa Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This nice and comfortable two-seat sofa “Maralunga” was designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973. Maralunga is one of the most famous Italian design sofas, a landmark that ha...
Leather
Maralunga Sofa in Leather by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A “Maralunga” sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Original caramel leather upholstery. Sourced in Northern Italy. The Maralunga sofa, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1...
Leather
"Maralunga" Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A “Maralunga” lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Original caramel leather upholstery. Sourced in Northern Italy. 2 available, sold separately. The Maralunga sofa, designe...
Leather
Maralunga sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy1973
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Firenze, FI
Maralunga two-seat sofa for Cassina, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973. It features enveloping shapes, curved armrests folded toward the seat, and an elegant brown corduroy uphols...
Velvet
Maralunga armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy 1973
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Firenze, FI
Maralunga armchair for Cassina, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973, featuring enveloping shapes, curved armrests folded toward the seat, and an elegant brown corduroy upholstery th...
Velvet
Maralunga lounge chairs in purple velvet by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in amstelveen, NL
Maralunga lounge chairs, original dark velvet upholstery. Vico Magistretti, Cassina, 1973. The backrest can be raised or lowered for total comfort. It won the Compasso d'Oro award ...
Velvet
Maralunga armchairs designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 2 armchairs designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973. Tubular steel frame structure, polyurethane, leather. Excellent condition, restored. The project won the Compasso ...
Steel
Italian modern sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green velvet sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Two-seater sofa model Maralunga in light aqua green velvet fabric. The backrest features independent...
Fabric, Velvet
Vico Magistretti Maralunga 40S Sofa for Cassina, Italy
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. The two-seater is available in 156cm oder 166cm width. The three-seater is available in 228 or 238cm width. In 201...
Leather, Fabric
Vintage Maralunga Blue Leather Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Leather Armchar model "Maralunga", realized by Vico Magistretti in 1970s for Cassina. Indigo blue indigo leather uphostery, in excellent condition. Adjustabe backrest.
Metal
"Maralunga" Two Seater Blue Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage "Maralunga" Two Seater Blue Leather Sofa realized by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1970s. Adjustable headrests. Cassina label and mark o...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Maralunga Sofa for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Berlin, DE
The two-seater is available in 166cm or 190cm width. The three-seater is available in 238cm or 274cm width. The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. Cassin...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Pair of Maralunga Sofas by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Maralunga sofas is an original and iconic design item designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Yellow leather sofa. Dimensions: Seatback...
Metal
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa – Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Budapest, HU
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa for Cassina – 1 Piece Designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti for Cassina, this Maralunga sofa is ...
Metal
Vico Magistretti "Maralunga" 3-seater and footstool re-upholstered For Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in The Hague, NL
If it's classic Italian style you're after, look no further! Maralunga 3-seat Sofa, designed 1973 by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This sofa features folding back rests cushions tha...
Fabric, Bouclé
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vico Magistretti Black 2-Seater Loveseat Maralunga Sofa Cassina, Italy, 80s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Basel, BS
Original Loveseat sofa "Maralunga," designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Cassina in Italy during the late circa late 1970s/1980s. This e...
Fabric
1970s 2-Seater Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofa / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This sofa features the original knitted wool upholstery in ivory. Head /...
Wool
$3,755Sale Price / set|20% Off
Maralunga Armchair and Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Matte Black
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Basel, BS
This black and white textile leather armchair and ottoman, the Maralunga model designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973, are iconic examples of mid-20th century Italian design. Both pie...
Upholstery
Cognac Leathered Maralunga Armchair and Pouf by Vico Magistretti, Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Quarrata, IT
Set of Cognac Leathered Maralunga Armchair and Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Leather
Maralunga 2-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. Features original knitted wool upholstery in chocolate brown. Head / backrests are adju...
Fabric
$10,514Sale Price|40% Off
Maralunga sofa Cassina 70's leather
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, MI
Il divano Maralunga di Cassina, disegnato da Vico Magistretti, è ormai un simbolo nella collezione del design Cassina Vincitore del Compasso d’Oro nel 1979, Maralunga è la materializ...
Leather
Pair Italian Gaudi Chairs Designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy 70s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lucija, SI
This pair of Italian armchairs model Gaudi was designed by Vico Magistretti and produce by Artemide Milano in 1968 It is made from fiberglass. SPA Artemide Milano Modello Gaudi Desig...
Fiberglass
Maralunga armchair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Armchair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973. Tubular steel frame structure, polyurethane, leather. Excellent condition, restored. The project won the Compasso d' Oro in ...
Steel
Maralunga armchair and footstool by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy1973
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Firenze, FI
Iconic Maralunga seating set for Cassina, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973, consisting of an armchair and a footstool (pouf). The pieces feature wrap-around shapes, curved armres...
Velvet
Italian modern sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green velvet sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Three-seater sofa model Maralunga in light aqua green velvet fabric. The backrest features independe...
Fabric, Velvet
Two Cassina Maralunga two-seat sofas in blue leather by Vico Magistretti, Italy
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Iconic set of two Maralunga two-seat sofas designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, one of the most celebrated Italian seating designs of the late 20th century. Introduced in 1973, ...
Leather
Pair of Maralunga leather armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1974.
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A pair of brown leather armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1974. This is an old version that was probably reupholstered 25 to 30 years ago. As a result, there are some minor ...
Leather
Italian modern armchair Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern armchair Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Armchair model Maralunga in dark green-gray velvet fabricc. The backrest features independent fold-down headr...
Fabric, Velvet
Italian modern brown fabric sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown fabric sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina 1970s Two-seater sofa model Maralunga padded and covered in brown striped fabric. It has an independent fol...
Fabric, Plastic
Maralunga divano 3 posti e 2 poltrone in velluto blu notte di vico magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Ghedi, IT
Questo straordinario set Maralunga, progettato da Vico Magistretti nel 1973 per Cassina, rappresenta uno dei vertici del design italiano contemporaneo: un'icona di comfort innovativo...
Velvet
Mid-Century Red Carimate Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 60s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lucija, SI
Mid Century armchair Carimate designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in Italy in the 60s Made of solid wood and leather in good vintage condition with traces of use and age on the...
Leather, Wood
Italian modern pouf Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pouf Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Pouf model Maralunga in dark green-gray velvet fabric. The seat of the footrest is squared cushioned. The oval v...
Fabric, Velvet
Pair of Vico Magistretti Cassina black leather Veranda sofas
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of black leather " Veranda " sofas . Designed by Vico Magistretti produced by Cassina distributed by Atelier International (ai) . Each couch has three soft supple leather seats ...
Steel
Italian modern burgundy fabric sofa Maralunga Vico Magistretti Cassina 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern burgundy fabric sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s Two-seater sofa model Maralunga in burgundy-purple fabric. The couch features independent fold-do...
Fabric
Vico Magistretti three-seater sofa in lacquered wood
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2421 Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) Three-seater sofa in lacquered wood with wavy backrest. Perfect original condition, cushions in progress. Model Carimate, Italy, 1959. 190 x...
Wood
