Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Pair of Saghi Armchairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon - 1970s

$5,708.78per set
£4,213.91per set
€4,800per set
CA$7,880.43per set
A$8,779.36per set
CHF 4,605.78per set
MX$107,230.92per set
NOK 58,317.99per set
SEK 54,648.78per set
DKK 36,544.71per set

About the Item

Designed by Kazuhide Takahama and produced by Simon International, the "Saghi" armchairs are one of the finest examples of the meeting between Japanese rigor and Italian design vision. A rare synthesis of formal minimalism and material sensibility, this model earned a place in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York-one of the highest honors in the world of international design. Crafted in the 1970s, these seats represent a radical statement of sobriety and balance. The chrome-plated steel frame outlines a pure, suspended volume, while the seat and backrest - gently flexible - are upholstered in the original honey beige medium-pile bouclé fabric, composed of a linen, cotton, and viscose blend. The original paper label is still intact, attesting to the authenticity of the upholstery. The continuous line between seat and backrest creates a soft and ergonomic profile, with a unique and recognizable gesture. The armchairs are in original vintage condition, with a solid frame and chrome in good shape, showing only minor localized oxidation. The fabric displays some signs of age, including a few small stains, but overall retains its uniformity and authentic charm. Ideal for those seeking certified vintage pieces in well-preserved original condition. Kazuhide Takahama, a Japanese architect who settled in Italy, collaborated with leading figures in Italian design such as Dino Gavina and Carlo Scarpa. His works are now internationally recognized, and this particular armchair is part of the MoMA's permanent collection in New York-a testament to his cultural impact and his refined, radical vision. Product Name: Pair of "Saghi" Armchairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon - 1970s Designer: Kazuhide Takahama Design Year: 1970s Style: Japanese minimalism with Italian influence, radical modernism Main Materials: Chrome-plated steel, original bouclé fabric in linen, cotton, and viscose Signature Features: Continuous line between seat and backrest, suspended steel structure, original upholstery with vintage paper label, formally essential and recognizable gesture Dimensions: Width 75 cm Depth 65 cm Height 68 cm Comfort: Ergonomic seat with a gently contoured backrest offering support and comfort within a minimalist framework Typical Use: Seating for residential interiors, architectural studios, or galleries Design Icon: Part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York; a defining piece in Takahama's oeuvre and a landmark of East-West design synergy Versatility: Ideal for sophisticated interiors and curated design collections; less suited to high-traffic or intensive use environments Current Condition: Original vintage condition with a solid frame, chrome in good shape with minimal localized oxidation; fabric shows a few small signs of aging but retains original charm Additional Notes: Please note this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present but do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics prior to purchase. Kazuhide Takahama (1930-2010) was a key figure in the design landscape of the late 20th century, masterfully blending Japanese formal purity with the experimentation of Italian modernism. Born in Nobeoka, Japan, and trained as an architect in Tokyo, Takahama's career took a decisive turn in 1957 when he participated in the Milan Triennale. There, he met visionary entrepreneur and patron Dino Gavina, who invited him to move to Italy. Takahama accepted and settled in Bologna, where he quickly became a discreet yet authoritative voice in the emerging Italian design movement. His style is immediately recognizable: rigorous, silent, essential. Each of his creations reflects a near-meditative approach to space and object, where nothing is superfluous and every detail contributes to a harmonious whole. In contrast to the decorative tastes of the time, Takahama introduced a new concept of modernity-understated and deeply cultured-which manifested in both furniture and interior architecture. He worked closely with Gavina and later with Simon International, as well as with renowned firms like Knoll and Cassina, shaping a radical yet refined aesthetic. His creations, including the "Saghi" chairs and the modular "Naeko" system, are now regarded as true design classics, housed in the permanent collections of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Kazuhide Takahama left behind a profound legacy-a body of work that speaks a universal language suspended between discipline and poetry, between East and West. His furniture does not follow trends; it embodies a timeless sense of beauty, still capable of moving us today through its purity and conceptual intelligence. Founded in 1968 by Dino Gavina, Simon International is more than a design brand-it is a radical cultural project. Born as a reaction to the growing uniformity of the marketplace, Simon represents Gavina's most cultured and experimental vision: design as a universal language that merges art, architecture, and philosophy. After the pioneering experience with Gavina Spa (later acquired by Knoll), Dino Gavina launched Simon with Maria Simoncini, continuing his mission to publish objects that were "necessary," thoughtful, and intellectually driven. Simon's catalog includes figures who embody the complexity and strength of this vision: Kazuhide Takahama, Carlo Scarpa, Man Ray, Marcel Breuer, Ettore Sottsass. Each project is a declaration of independence from commercial design: architectural systems, symbolic furniture, intellectual references, and precious materials interwoven in a continuous exploration of living and the meaning of objects. Simon is the home of intellectual design - measured gestures, timeless elegance. Its pieces are rare, refined, and full of meaning. Unsurprisingly, many of them are now preserved in the permanent collections of leading museums worldwide, from MoMA to the Centre Pompidou. In 2013, the brand was acquired by Cassina, which relaunched part of the collection under the "SimonCollezione" series, preserving its identity and historical value. Yet the original Simon vision remains a unique and unrepeatable example of how design can be critical thinking, poetic act, and political vision.
  • Creator:
    Simon Gavina Editions (Manufacturer),Kazuhide Takahama (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 29.53 in (75 cm)Depth: 25.6 in (65 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1970
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Conversano, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8395245485872

More From This Seller

View All
Sabrina Brass Chairs Limited Edition by Giorgio Rinaldi for RIMa Padova 1970
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Conversano, IT
This extraordinary and rare set of "Sabrina" chairs is the most exclusive and expensive version produced in a limited edition by RIMa of Padua in the late 1970s. Designed by Giorgio Rinaldi...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pelican Chairs by Luigi Saccardo for Arrmet, 1975
By Arrmet, Luigi Saccardo
Located in Conversano, IT
An extraordinary set of four red lacquered Pellicano chairs, designed by Luigi Saccardo for Arrmet and published in Domus in 1975-authentic icons of Italian Radical Design from the S...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Minimalist Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Armchairs in the Style of Gio Ponti
Located in Conversano, IT
These fabulous shell armchairs are an authentic testament to Italian 1950s design, reflecting the distinctive style of Gio Ponti for Casa & Giardino. They showcase the iconic scallo...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Artona Leather Armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning and very rare "Artona 8551" armchair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the early 1980s. The armchair is entirely upholstered in ultra-soft biscuit...
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Club Chairs

Materials

Animal Skin

Mid Century Medea Chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, 1950s
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning set of four "Medea" chairs by Vittorio Nobili, an icon of 1950s Italian design. Designed in 1955 and produced by the historic Tagliabue company, these chairs embody the ele...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Viscontea Armchair by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Simon Internation
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Simon International
Located in Conversano, IT
Rare and extraordinary Viscontea armchair, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Simon Gavina-a refined industrial reinterpretation of the Sanluca armchair from twenty...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs

Materials

Other

You May Also Like

Pair of Saghi armchairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon, 1970
By Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Pair of Saghi armchairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama. Two sets available. Structure in chrome-plated steel rod with original removable upholstery in velvet. Seat and backrest slight...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Saghi armchairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, 1970.
By Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Pair of Saghi armchairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy 1970. Chrome metal frame, soft cotton fabric cover, manufacture label. Kazuhide Takahama (1930 - 2010)...
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Kazuhide Takahama Saghi chairs for Simon International - Italy, 1972
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon International
Located in London, GB
An encounter with the founder of Italian furniture company Gavina at the 1957 XI Triennale in Milan is what led Kazuhide Takahama – who initially trained as an architect – to start c...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cowhide

Set of 2 Maja Armchairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina
By Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Price for set of 2. Available 7 sets.
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Kazuhide Takahama, Suzanne Lounge Chairs, a Pair, Gavina SpA, 1965
By Kazuhide Takahama, Gavina
Located in Culver City, CA
Meet your new favorite chairs ~ the Suzanne lounge chairs, designed by Kazuhide Takahama in 1965 for Gavina SpA Milan. Unlike their later Knoll-produced counterparts, these two are O...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Pair of Kazuhide Takahama armchairs for Studio Simon, 1970s
By Kazuhide Takahama, Studio Simon
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of Kazuhide Takahama armchairs for studio simon, 1970s. Complete with cushions covered with Dedar “plushy” fabric Product details Literature: V. Vercelloni, The adventure of des...
Category

Vintage 1970s Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood