Pair of Blue Grey "Lady" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1951
View Similar Items
Pair of Blue Grey "Lady" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1951
About the Item
- Creator:Marco Zanuso (Designer),Arflex (Maker)
- Design:Lady ArmchairLady Series
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 33.08 in (84 cm)Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1951
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU994918716692
Lady Armchair
While the scoop-like form of the Lady armchair, designed in 1951 by Italian architect and furniture maker Marco Zanuso (1916–2001), might not be the most visually arresting chair on the auction block today, it’s one of the classic pieces of mid-century modern furniture and was quite revolutionary for its time.
Like many designers of the day, Zanuso was fascinated with new materials like polyurethane foam and elastic tape. In the 1940s, he began experimenting with them through a collaboration with Italian manufacturer Arflex that would endure for years. For the Arflex line, Zanuso designed not only the Lady armchair — which won the gold medal at the Milan Triennale the year of its debut — but also the 1949 Antropus chair and the 1951 Sleep-o-matic sofa. While these works were radical for their materials, their construction methods were also groundbreaking. The Lady armchair, for instance, was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process, whereas traditional furniture was more frequently constructed as a whole.
Zanuso spent his entire career creating a new definition of modernism through his works and his words. He studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan with some of the country’s most forward-thinking designers, opened his own firm in 1945 and even served as the editor of design magazines Domus and Casabella, sharing his philosophy of modern design in their pages. He certainly succeeded in creating a lasting impact on the design world, particularly through pieces like the Lady armchair. It’s manufactured today by Cassina.
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.
- Pair of S12 Armchairs by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform, Belgium, 1958By Belform, Alfred HendrickxLocated in New York, NYRare pair of lounge chairs by the known Belgium designer Alfred Hendrickx. The models shown is documented as the S12 model produced by Belform, Belgium in the late 1950s. The legs a...Category
Vintage 1950s Belgian Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pair of "Lie De Vin" Velvet & Brass Feet Armchairs by Souplina, France, 1970sBy SouplinaLocated in New York, NYRarest pair of elegant armchairs by Souplina France. 1970s. Currently in original condition with velvet upholstery. COM recommended. Price of re-upholstering not included. In fair vintage condition. Souplina is the maker of the Giorio Montani stainless steel sectional sofa. These chairs will ship from France and can be returned to either France or to an upstate NY...Category
Vintage 1970s French Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Armchair & Ottoman by Georges Frydman - France 1960'sBy Georges Frydman, EFALocated in New York, NYRarest "Tube Coudé" lacquered steel legs armchair and ottoman by Georges Frydman for EFA, France. Brass screws on armrests sides. This armchair will ship from France and can be ret...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Floral armchairs by Dassi, Italy 1950By Nello PiniLocated in New York, NYPair of armchairs on folded metal bases with brass feet. COM available.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of 1970's Grey Bouclé and Chrome Lounge Chairs - Italy 1970'sLocated in New York, NYUltra plush and comfortable pair of Italian 1970's lounge chairs. Freshly upholstered with chic grey bouclé. In good vintage condition. These chairs will ship from France. Price doe...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Pair of Creme Bouclé Italian Armchairs with Black and Brass Feet, Italy, 1960sBy Gio PontiLocated in New York, NYElegant pair of Italian midcentury armchairs freshly re-upholstered in creme bouclé fabric. Their "panier" structure allows for both comfort and privacy while curved armrests offer a...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
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
- Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, Pair of ''Lady'' Armchairs in Blue Cotton VelvetBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaAn exquisite pair of Lady lounge chairs, originally designed by the renowned Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy in 1951. These remarkable chairs have undergone meticulous reupholstering,...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Lady armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Meulebeke, BEDesigned in 1951 by Italian architect and furniture maker Marco Zanuso, these iconic chairs are a symbol of stylish, material and technological innovation. They won a gold medal at t...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Senior' Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in New York, NYA pair of the iconic 'Senior' lounge chairs, designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, in Italy, 1951. This pair have been fully restored and newly upholstered in our prof...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Marco Zanuso Pair of Arflex Regent Armchairs in Blue Velvet "Nobilis" Italy 1960By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Catania, ITMarco Zanuso for Arflex, pair of armchairs, 'Regent' model, blue velvet by Nobilis Paris, metal, wood, Italy, design 1960s. Beautiful pair of Regent lou...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- 1951, Marco Zanuso, Lady Chair in Soft Velvet/Terra Fabric for ArflexBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach,...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$3,293 Sale Price23% Off