Paolo Vigano ‘ “Tripolina” Wood Iron Skin 1950 Italy

Medea Swivel and height adjustable armchair wood iron, 1950, Italy. The seat height is adjustable from H 43cm to 48cm.

Arflex armchair.

Osvaldo Borsani.

Cavatorta pair of armchairs wood padded fabric, 1950, Italy.

A rare and inportant pair of the 'Tripolina' folding chairs designed by Joseph B. Fenby. Tripolina folding chairs present a wooden frame with metal fixings and a beautiful removable seat realized in high-quality leather. These lounge chairs are designed for practicality and remarkable comfort while reflecting casual elegance. They also strike an important design statement that references the history of furniture as they were among the first folding chairs. These design icons were manufactured by the Italian Viganò company during the 1930s and are in completely original condition with a beautiful patina. They are stamped "Brevettato" on frames; the leather seats have been replaced. The original “Tripolina” chair was invented by the Englishman Joseph Beverley Fenby. It was patented in the United Kingdom in 1877 and in the United States in 1881. It was used in military campaigns, where it was ideal because it was designed to fold up compactly — while still being comfortable and stable. It was manufactured by Fenby’s own company in the UK and shortly after in Wisconsin, USA. Later, it was manufactured by the Italian Viganò company in Tripoli, Libya.. Used by ordinary people and presidents alike, it’s been an extraordinarily versatile chair for nearly 150 years. This first folding chair from the late 19th century, 1881. It inspired a lot of midcentury modern designers, of which the best known example is the 'Butterfly chair' by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. However, these later adaptions do not match the elaborate folding wood construction, style and deep comfort of the original "Tripolina" chair. Literature: Domus n. 97, January 1936; I. de Guttry, M. P. Maino, Il mobile déco italiano, p. 56, Laterza, 1988.. Additional References: Military and campaign furniture, Napoleon, Folding and portable...

This Tripolina armchair is produced by Dino Gavina in 1950, it is a supporting structure in chromed steel and support canvas in suede. The designer is anonymous but as Gavina himself...

Wooden armchair with vertical rod back with armrests and wraparound back designed by Buffa Paolo (1903 - 1970) He trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia and opened his own studio ...

Italian modern white fabric wood folding deckchair Tripolina by Citterio, 1970s Folding deckchair mod. Tripolina. The ivory white fabric shell fits into the structure, which is made ...