Items Similar to G. Offredi Fabric Blue and Steel Italian Four "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti, 1968

Pair of G. Offredi Plum Fabric and Steel Italian "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti 1968

Giovanni Offredi White Leather and Steel "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti, Italy, 1968

Giovanni Offredi Italian Dining Chairs Missoni Fabric by Saporiti 1970 Walnut

Italian Mid-Century Modern Velvet Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1970s

Giovanni Offredi “Onda” Postmodern Wave Lounge Chair for Saporiti, 1970s

Set of 12 Chrome Dining Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy 1970s

Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 19

G. Offredi Fabric Blue and Steel Italian Four "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti, 1968

Name: G. Offredi Fabric Blue and Steel Italian Four "Lens" Chairs for Saporiti, 1968
Brand: Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Price: 2363.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

US$2,826.71per set

About

Marvellous midcentury armchairs with tubular steel structure and seats. "Lens" model was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced for Saporiti, around 1968 in Italy. These items are made of a stunning new stain-resistant, fire-retardant petrol blue fabric. A magnificent and iconic set that will be perfect for a living room or study, thanks to the brightness of the chromed steel structure. These pieces are in great vintage conditions as shown in the photos. Giovanni Offredi (born 1927, Milan–died 2007, Milan) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer of the second half of the 20th century. As opposed to most of the other Italian furniture designers of his time, Giovanni Offredi was not an architect, nor did he start designing early in his professional career. Instead, Offredi partially fits the career path of some of the talented contemporary designers who pursue product design outside of a formal education in architecture. The earliest furniture design work known by Giovanni Offredi consists of exemplary furnishings made specifically for some of the wealthy families in Milan. Such is the case of the works done by Offredi for Casa C., in 1960, in Gorgonzola, a small town 14 miles from Milan. These works were designed with a surprisingly minimal simplicity and elegance, and they also clearly display a hallmark of his design work with the use of angular lines and exposed metal or wood frames—not unlike some of the modern Scandinavian design of the time. In the late 1960s, Giovanni Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, the owner of Italian design shop and furniture maker Saporiti, and in 1970, Offredi formalized a partnership with the furniture maker. This partnership would be long and successful and resulted in many furniture designs of distinct precision that were clearly modern and innovative and that went on to enjoy considerable commercial success. The most prominent furniture designs that Offredi made for Saporiti include the Paracarro table (1970), made of a simple cylindrical concrete base with a cross metal section on the top and a glass top; the Sail chair (1973); the Wave dining chairs (1974) and Wave sofa and lounge chair (1975); and the P600 and P650 ovval elliptical tables, which were similar to the Paracarro table but larger and with two bases and, in some cases, with wooden bases instead of concrete bases. In 1984, Giovanni Offredi partnered with premium Italian cabinet and kitchen manufacturer Snaidero, creating several configurations, such as the Krios (1984), Kalia (1986), Pragma (1987), Contralto (1988), and Kube (2006). Giovanni Offredi’s affinity for modernism and what it meant triggered certain disillusionment as he witnessed the evolution of the postmodernist movement beyond its initial years. On this topic, he said the following: “Italian design, which has always drawn its success from the balance between rationality and fantasy, seems to have lost this harmony. The craving for the ‘new’ has created confusion. Some are caught up in forced attempts, thinking of finding space in the market and achieving success. The postmodern, born as an act of polemic towards certain rationalist positions, that were fossilized over time, established itself for the desire to renew certain forms, freeing them from their rigidity. But unfortunately it has been transformed to identify with the search for novelty at all costs. Post Modernism has failed to go beyond the surface, it is failing to give content to its forms. We are no longer dealing with a cultural fact, but with a fact of fashion and beyond rationality there is only passion, the ephemeral, the transient.”

Details

Creator
Giovanni Offredi (Designer),Saporiti (Manufacturer)
Dimensions
Height: 76 cm (29.93 in.)Width: 56 cm (22.05 in.)Depth: 62 cm (24.41 in.)Seat Height: 44 cm (17.33 in.)
Sold As
Set of 4
Style
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques
Chrome,Fabric,Stainless Steel,Steel
Place of Origin
Italy
Period
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture
1968
Condition
Reupholstered.
Seller Location
Roma, IT
Reference Number
1stDibs: LU3067328250602
View Invoice

Shipping & Returns

Shipping
Customs Duties & Taxes May Apply.
Ships From: Roma, Italy
Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.

1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed

If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn More

Parts of this page have been automatically translated. 1stDibs cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations. English is the default language of this website.

Shop All Saporiti

About the Manufacturer

Saporiti

Established in 1950, mid-century Italian furniture maker Saporiti Italia has a reputation for avant-garde and enduring designs, and its tables, chairs and cabinets inspire all who have had the pleasure of contemplating them.

Furniture designer Sergio Saporiti founded Saporiti Italia with a vision of creating pieces ahead of their time. By staying on top of the cultural shifts taking shape during the postwar era — and finding inspiration in the craftsmanship, durability and sensibility of Scandinavian design — Saporiti was able to tap into what the public wanted. His focus on using high-quality materials ensured that every welcoming Saporiti chair and table could be used and enjoyed for decades to come.

In 1965, Saporiti collaborated with Italian designer Alberto Rosselli, a pioneer of the industrial design movement. They created such iconic pieces as the Confidential sofa, the Moby Dick chaise lounge and the Jumbo chair. In the 1970s, Saporiti initiated another collaboration with Italian designer Giovanni Freddi. The prolific partnership resulted in universally renowned designs like the Paracarro table and the Sail chair. Together, they also created the curving Wave sofa, which was popular in international markets.

The joint projects were a success, and Saporiti Italia opened many international showrooms throughout the 1970s. In the 1980s, the company released a line of customizable furniture, including the Avedon sofa, in collaboration with designer Mauro Lipparini. This era also led to a partnership with Missoni — the celebrated Italian fashion brand expanded into home furnishings in 1983 and created rugs and upholstery fabrics for Saporiti soon afterward.

Since then, Saporiti Italia has pivoted to furniture contracting and design management. To this day, the company remains under the ownership of the Saporiti family, and vintage Saporiti furniture continues to capture the imagination of collectors worldwide.

Find Saporiti Italia lounge chairs, coffee tables and sofas on 1stDibs.

About the Seller

5.0

Located in Roma, Italy

Platinum Seller

These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.

Established in 1990

1stDibs seller since 2017

743 sales on 1stDibs

Typical response time: 1 hour