Italian Chairs
to
686
4,952
1,523
3,285
3,189
138
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,983
3,825
2,678
3,676
2,591
3,372
2,529
3,160
2,499
2,934
2,477
3,091
2,046
1,833
52
42
37
37
20
20
16
12
12
11
9
7
7
5
3
2
97
132
3,056
3,327
79
1,516
1,338
11
7
19
39
62
525
533
776
347
95
3,252
2,615
2,137
1,253
1,190
21,383
6,612
3,521
3,415
2,964
6,612
3,644
4,136
395
298
192
187
162
Place of Origin: Italian
Viky Chair - a Modern Solid Wood Chair with Retro Feeling
By HEMO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Introducing a stunning piece of furniture - a solid wood chair with a retro feel, given a modern twist. The design boasts a sleek, single line starting from the easel legs and extend...
Category
2010s Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Solid Walnut Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 18th century of the period Louis XVI Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. The armchair is very simple and essential. The backrest decorated with a lyre carved in ...
Category
1750s Louis XVI Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Walnut
$2,835 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Modernist Tall Back "Throne Chairs"
Located in New York, NY
" Throne chairs "
A pair of Modernist tall back side chairs.
Thuja root with ebonized inlaid details.
Category
1970s Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood, Ebony, Burl
$11,800 / set
Elegant Italian Black Rod and Cane Side Chair, 1950
Located in Dronten, NL
Graceful Italian 1950s side chair in solid black enameled steel rod and rattan.
Two chairs available, priced individually.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Vittorio Nobili "Medea" dining chairs, Italy 1955
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Uccle, BE
Vittorio Nobili "Medea" dining chairs, Italy 1955
set of four authentic Medea chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s.
Rarely found in such good condition wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Two Giuseppe de Vivo Bar Stools in White Lacquered Iron, Italy 1950s
By Giuseppe De Vivo 1
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of two Giuseppe de Vivo bar stools was made in Italy in the 1950s. They are made exclusively of lacquered iron, which has a beautiful patina due to its age.
Do not hesitat...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Iron
Chair DSC 106, Red , by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Beirut, LB
DSC 106 is one of the most famous chairs of the Castelli brand. Designed by Giancarlo Piretti, it is still an object with an innovative and fascinating design.
The elegant interweav...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
DSS chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Milano, IT
Chair, fiberglass, chrome-plated metal. Fair condition.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Suite de 6 chaises italiennes traîneau vintage de Willy Rizzo pour Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo
Located in BESANÇON, FR
6 chaises vintage des années 70, superbe design italien attribué à Willy Rizzo pour Mario Sabot, structure et dossiers en bois foncé, assises amovibles totalement rénovées en très jo...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Botta, set of 4 "Seconda" Armchairs produced by Alias, Italy 1982. Structure with armrests in gray powder-coated steel, black seat in perforated steel sheet.
Backrest made up...
Category
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Design by Giacomo Moor / Achair
By Giacomo Moor
Located in Milan, IT
Made entirely with solid wood. Available in walnut, oak, ash, open-pore stained ash.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Italian Chairs
Materials
Ash, Oak, Walnut
$679 / item
Pair of Italian Massive Brass Chairs by Chiavari, Upholstery Iceland Wol
By Chiavari
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of refined Italian Campanino Classic Chiavari chairs, circa 1950s.
Massive brass upholstered with velvet and brown blond original Iceland wol.
In very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Brass
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, Cognac Leather, 1970, Set of 10
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" chairs for Mobil Girgi, patinated cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1970, set of ten.
The iconic "Sapporo" chair consists of an individual backrest, conceived...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Group of Four Leather Chairs Years 80-90
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 4 chairs, with casters, metal frame, covered in leather.
Category
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather
$1,535 / set
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern armchairs feature cream-colored fabric with decorative armrests. The plush upholstery, tufted backrest, and splayed legs add to the midcentury a...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
$1,820 Sale Price / set
30% Off
air of William Katavolos chairs for ICF Milano in black leather and chrome
By William Katavolos, ICF Milano 1
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of 60's chairs by designer William Katavolos for ICF Milano. Chrome-plated steel frame, black leather seats and back (original). Sober, elegant design for this pair of tripod ch...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Bokken Chair, Beech Structure Stained, Gold Leaf by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Bokken chair, beech structure stained, gold or silver leaf with Bellavista/Piccini
Dimensions: H. 81,7 D. 49 W. 53,5 cm
Materials: Beech Structure Stained, Gold or Silver Leaf
...
Category
2010s Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, dark brown tobacco leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight.
The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Italian mid-century modern outdoor rattan chairs with armrests, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern outdoor rattan chairs with armrests, 1960s.
Set of six chairs entirely in wicker, with seat and backrest made of rattan woven to form a regular grid and wi...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Rattan
Cobble Chair in Ottawa Recyclable Polyethylene by Elisa Giovannoni
By Elisa Giovannoni, Qeeboo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cobble seat is a comfortable chair provided in the same colors of the Cobble table base, produced in recyclable polyethylene, designed by Elisa Giovannoni.
Seat rotomoulded in b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Italian Foldable Table and Four Chairs, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury set, made of bamboo and rattan foldable table and four chairs. It is an Italian production of 1960s and the state of conserva...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
Paul Mathieu x Luxury Living Contour Chair Set of 2 Blonde
Located in Miami, FL
Slender and refined, the Contour chair with armrests brilliantly brings together a sober spirit with
contemporary taste. Made with dark-lacquered wood, it houses the camel colored l...
Category
2010s Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Tre 3' Dining Chairs
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, set of five chairs model 'Tre 3', black lacquered wood, leather, Italy, design 1978
Set of four 'Tre 3' dining chairs by the Italian designer Angelo ...
Category
1970s Post-Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
$12,400 / set
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1965, Set of 8
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, total black, Italy, 1965, set of eight.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa'...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Italian Set of Six Dining Chairs with Woven Leather Seats
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, leather, beech, Italy, late 1970s
Remarkable set of six sculptural and impressive dining chairs. These chairs have a frame and long backrest in beech. The ...
Category
1970s Post-Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
R.H. n°1, Metal Chairs by Renè Herbst, Italy, 1980s
By Pallucco, René Herbst
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of R.H. N°1 chairs by Renè Herbst.
1928 project issued in 1980 by Pallucco featuring tubular steel chrome plated frame.
Back and seat rest are composed ...
Category
1980s Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 4 Medea Chairs by Vittorio Nobili, Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in LEWES, GB
An exceptional set of four authentic Medea chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s. Rarely found in such good condition with a very pleasing tone and age. One ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
1950s Side Chair in Velvet , Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered
- Carefully refurbished
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Velvet
set of 4 chairs armchairs chrome and leather "Locus Solis" by Gae Aulenti 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Milano, MI
Locus Solus chairs designed in the 1960s by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova. The chairs are in the curved tubular steel version with chrome finish with leather seat
The chairs are in ver...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Set of six folding chairs 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Set of six folding chairs 1960s
Set of six folding chairs from the Palazzo degli esami in Rome.
Measurements W45, D53, H60.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood
1970s Bartolozzi & Maioli Wooden Leaf Chair
By Bartolozzi & Maioli
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s hand-carved wooden leaf chair by the Italian small Botega Bartolozzi & Maiolli.
Impressive quality of work in small production at Florence, It...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Zanotta Dismountable Safari Chair
By Zanotta, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptionally rare 1970s lounge chair in ash and canvas made by Zanotta.
The chair is very solid and disassembles completely when desired.
In wonderful vintage condition. All leather...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Ash
Sculptural Chair by Anacleto Spazzapan In multicolor metal 2000s
By Anacleto Spazzapan
Located in Milano, IT
Postmodern chair designed and made by Anacleto Spazzapan by joining metal strips of different sizes enameled in red, electric blue and black. It bears the designer's AS initials and ...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bbpr Chairs Set of Six in Velvet Green and Red
By Studio BBPR
Located in Milano, IT
Important set of vintage chairs made of red painted iron and seat and backs upholstered in access green velvet. Designed by BBPR studio in the 19...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Iron
$11,341 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Exceptional Gilded Ornate Salon Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large and impressive. An outstanding carved and gilt Italianate Baroque style armchair with carved shell crest, Griffin arm supports, carved Eagle knees ending in Lion’s Paw Foot. Custom upholstered in a tan dot on black fabric. Ornate wood carvings...
Category
Early 20th Century Rococo Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Eight walnut Direttorio chairs, Tuscany, Lucca circa 1795
Located in Prato, IT
Eight walnut Direttorio Chairs with banded backs and floral pattern carving.
Paws with carved frames typical of Lucca.
Entirely hand-sewn straw seat.
Tuscany, late 18th century
Category
Late 18th Century Directoire Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Augusto Bozzi Saporiti Cosmos lounge chair Italy 1954
By Saporiti, Augusto Bozzi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Striking 'Cosmos' lounge chair designed by Augusto Bozzi and manufactured by Saporiti, Italy 1954. This beautiful shaped large lounge chair has a bit the look of a mantis, it is very...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Stunning Pair of Hand Carved Italian Walnut Antique circa 1860 Throne Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original Italian circa 1860 hand carved walnut throne armchairs with period upholstery
A wonderfully decorative and super or...
Category
1860s High Victorian Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Walnut
$5,102 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Pair of Chippendale Style Italian Boucle Small Armchairs, 1940s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of Chippendale style armchairs, Italian production in the 1940s, completely restored and upholstered in Boucle fabric. They fit very well in a bedroom or living room.
Category
1940s Chippendale Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
$2,315 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Set of 8 antique leather and walnut wood chairs Italian neo-renaissance style
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
set of 8 antique walnut wood chairs Italian neo-renaissance style
Category
19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Sedie in acciaio di Giotto Stoppino per Kartell, Italia, anni '70, set di 4
By Kartell, Giotto Stoppino
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Set di 4 sedie disegnate da Giotto Stoppino durante la sua collaborazione con Kartell. Esempio di iconico design italiano della metà del secolo scorso. Giotto Stoppino è stato un arc...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Stanley Folding Director Chair by Philippe Stark for MAGIS
By Magis, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stanley is Magis’ and Philippe Starck’s revisitation of the legendary director’s chair.
Its simple lines and the elegance of its high-tech design have breathed a new lease of life an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Four Pierre Jeanneret 051 Capitol Complex Office by Cassina
By Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret circa 1950, relaunched in 2019.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
This chair is one of the most recognisable in Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, f...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
$17,331 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Italian modern brown leather and metal chairs by Calligaris, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather and metal chairs by Calligaris, 1970s
Pair of chairs with round seat in light brown leather. The curved backrest is in leather, while the structure and l...
Category
1970s Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 6
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, green lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of six.
The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
Chair with Small Italian Design Back Very Elegant Mid-Century Modern
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Chair with small Italian design back very elegant, 1950s.
Category
1950s Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Wool, Mahogany
$945 Sale Price
20% Off
Officina ArmChair by Ronan & Erwan Boroullec for MAGIS
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Forging, the process used to shape iron, pressing it between the hammer and anvil, has a history that stretches back over millennia. Throughout the ages, this technique has been used...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Italian 70s Chrome Chairs in the Style of Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two cantilever chairs in the style of Ico Parisi.
Tubular chrome frame and artificial leather cover.
Category
1970s Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Italian Set of Four Dining Chairs in Wood and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, black lacquered wood, wood, Italy, 1970s
Set of four dining chairs with interesting features, made in Italy in the 1970s. This design is unusual and speci...
Category
1970s Post-Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Large 18th Century Italian Walnut Hall Chairs with Leather Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Large 18th Century Italian Walnut Hall Chairs with Leather Upholstery & Turned Legs
Category
18th Century Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian Stool of Rattan and Bamboo from the Mid-20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine vintage Italian bar stool from the mid-20th century of woven rattan and bamboo featuring a stylish design to the back, seat, and legs...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Italian Cane Wingback Chair With Hackney House Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Italian wingback chair seamlessly blends Old-World craftsmanship with sophisticated comfort. Featuring a gracefully curved silhouette and handwoven cane detail...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Set of 2 Kartell Generic A Chairs in Black by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Generic is an ambitious project of profoundly ethical connotations, in which contemporary design sets out to fulfil new objectives and creativity is pl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Plastic
18th Century Italian Wooden Carved Round about Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite 18th century Italian wooden carved round about chair with secret door at the bottom. Barley twist posts support the arched top rail whil...
Category
18th Century Antique Italian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair - Iconic Design Statement
Located in Manzano, IT
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair - Iconic Design Statement
Elevate your space with this exquisite mid-century modern lounge chair that blends form and function in a timeless design. ...
Category
1950s Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$1,228 Sale Price
35% Off
Pair of Superlegga Style Chairs, Metal Black Enameled Finish, style of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Superlegga inspired chairs, in the style of Gio Ponti, circa 1960. The original design was made for a project in Eindhoven, where Gio Ponti designed the outside of the buildi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1965, Set of 8
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, red leather, Italy, 1965, set of eight.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's typical double trestle structure with the characteristic rounded joint. The straightforward and minimal design is like a cubical volume; the supports, on the other hand, are slender, anatomically shaped surfaces. The seat and back are shaped in plywood and attached by bolts to crosspieces along the center that offer extreme comfort. The back has a cut in the lower part, required due to the presence of a reinforcement that reacts to torsion stress, which is strongest at this point.
We can do custom restoration and special reupholstering. Our atelier guarantees the excellence of Italy through the traditional art of craftsmanship. We do offer a dedicated customization service thanks to our team of expert craftsmen and artisans. Contact Modernab Gallery...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Poltrona Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand in 1928.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
Timeless, unique, and profoundly authentic, the LC2 armchair ha...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel
$9,171 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Martin Ballendat Set of Four Up Chairs for Tonon, Italy.
By Martin Ballendat
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Martin Ballendat Set of Four Up Chairs for Tonon, Italy.
The Up-Chair is an extremely emotional product. Designed to give the feeling of a light seat, the “Up” owes its name to the w...
Category
2010s Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
“SECONDA” by Mario Botta , Black color , 1990s
By Mario Botta
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This is a vintage "SECONDA" chair designed by Mario Botta, a famous Swiss architect, and It was originally designed as interior décor for a building designed by Mario Botta.
The cur...
Category
1990s Post-Modern Italian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.