Rare Leather Swivel Chair "Epoca" by Marco Zanuso Produced by Arflex, Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Arflex (Maker),Marco Zanuso (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.23 in (92 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Bresso, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2293329846242
Marco Zanuso
Italian designer Marco Zanuso helped cement his country’s place as a world leader in furniture design that used new materials in revolutionary ways.
Zanuso was part of a generation of furniture designers who encouraged a sharp departure from the traditionalism and classicalism that reigned over the design industry before the war. These designers, who are associated with what we now call mid-century modernism, experimented with new technologies and materials to deliver on the world’s newfound need for streamlined products that represented the future.
After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1939 with a degree in architecture, Zanuso served in the Navy during World War II. Soon after the war, he opened his own design firm in Milan in 1945. He later became an editor at well-regarded design magazines Domus and Casabella. He used this editorial platform to both promote new Italian designs as well as his own pieces, some of which he made using unconventional materials like foam and latex. For instance, his famous Lady armchair from 1951 is a composition of foam rubber and Nastro Cord, a recently invented textile band of rubberized fabric that eliminated the need for metal springs. It was one of several pieces he designed for Italian manufacturer Arflex, along with the 1949 Antropus chair and the 1951 Sleep-o-matic sofa.
Zanuso often collaborated with other like-minded creatives. From 1955 until 1957, he was Olivetti’s architect, designing factories across Brazil, and for nearly two decades, he collaborated with German designer Richard Sapper. The pair’s most famous product is the 4999 children’s chair, manufactured in the 1960s by Kartell in Italy. The stackable chair was the first to be manufactured entirely of injection-molded plastic. Zanuso and Sapper also partnered on the 1962 Brionvega Doney 14, the first European-made portable transistor TV; its sleek, compact and curvy form deeply influenced the design of television sets that followed, which were far more sculptural in form than the rigid boxes that characterized early models.
From the 1970s onward, Zanuso taught architecture and industrial design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He still exercised his creative talents, planning the headquarters for computer companies and renovating Italian theaters.
Each of Zanuso’s elegant works were demonstrative of a forward-looking sensibility. His projects saw an integration of novel industrial materials that not only helped emphasize the beauty of good design but also played a role in rendering these well-made products accessible to everyday consumers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Marco Zanuso furniture, including armchairs, sofas, table lamps and other items.
Arflex
From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bresso, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Set of Eight Black Nylon Revolving Office Chairs by Eames for Herman MillerLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1980s. These desk chairs feature a black nylon and aluminum frame. They are revolving but not reclining, and height is not adjustable. This set might show slight tr...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Postmodern Black Leather Office Chair by Vico Magistretti for ICF Design, 1978By ICF GroupLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy in 1978 and designed by Vico Magistretti for ICF De Padova. These office chairs feature a solid varnished metal and hard plastic frame and their original high-quality l...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Postmodern Walnut Sideboard Produced by Saima, Pavia, ItalyLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Pavia, Italy, 1970s. This sideboard is made in walnut and features two drawers (one is missing). The former owner used two internal parts with no shelves, but on request an...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWalnut
- Murano Glass Table Lamp by Lino Tagliapietra Produced by Paf, Italy, 1980sBy PAF Studio, Lino TagliapietraLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1980s. It features a white and pink Murano glass base and a fabric lampshade This lamp might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Postmodern Three-Arm Blown Glass and Metal Chandelier Produced by Mazzega, ItalyBy MazzegaLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1970s. This chandelier features a chrome-plated metal frame and seven Murano Glass diffusers. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Postmodern Gold and Silver Ceramic Trinket Bowl / Box by San Marco, ItalyBy Porcellane San MarcoLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This high-quality trinket bowl / vide-poche is made in glazed ceramic. It might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent or...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsCeramic
- 1950s Italian Swivel Tub Chairs in the Style of Marco ZanusoBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Wilton, CTThis unique pair of Italian swivel tub chairs, in the style of Marco Zauso, has been newly reupholstered in a plush dark blue velvet with mirror chrome vinyl...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsVelvet
- rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflexBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Munich, DErare and elegant lady sofa by marco zanuso. only produced for a short period by arflex / italy.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantIconic so called 'Lady chair' designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1951. This lady chair has chrome-plated legs and original upholstery in grey. The upholstery...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Gio Ponti & Alberto Roselli for Arflex, Pair of "Airone" Model Office ChairsBy Arflex, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Gio PontiLocated in New York, NYUpholstered form seat and back over chrome-plated and enameled steel swivel base. Manufacturers label to underside.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Marco Zanuso Senior Chair for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Arflex, Marco ZanusoLocated in Berlin, DENewly upholstered Marco Zanuso senior chair for Arflex, Italy - 1960s. Fabric is Holly Hunt, Forgiving Sins, color latte.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Chairs Arflex, Italy, 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantFantastic iconic lounge chair pair designed by world known designer Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy 1951. These two lounge chairs have thei...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass