'Delfino' Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Carboni for Arflex, 1954, Very Early Examples

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'Delfino' Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Carboni for Arflex, 1954, Very Early Examples

About the Item

Beautiful biomorphic form 'DELFINO' (Dolphin) lounge chair with armrests complete with the rare matching ottoman designed by famed Italian. Artist, sculptor and graphic designer Erberto Carboni (1899-1984) in 1954 for Arflex, Italy. Both pieces are from the very early production period and also feature the original circular brass hardware for attaching the armrests to the main frame and the very early production type of floor glides. Please read on for history on the early production chairs. The 'Delfino' lounge chair was originally available with or without armrests, and with either brass or black enameled legs, this is the far more desirable and beautiful model with the brass legs and with the armrests which create the famous and beautiful 'delfino' biomorphic Silhouette. The Delfino caused a sensation when it was first presented at the 10th Trienale exhibition in Milan in 1954 and soon featured on the cover pages of both the main Italian design journals of the period, Domus and Rivista Dell Arredamento. The biomorphic form of the lounge chair references the early surrealist forms of Joan Miro and Jean Arp, influences which were also clearly revealed in many of Carboni's beautiful designs for exhibition spaces and storefront installations for major Italian companies many of which are beautifully documented in Borngraber's book 'Stilnovo . Design in den 50er jahren- Phantasie und Phantastik'. I will supply copies of these pages to the buyer. Both the lounge chair and ottoman are rare examples from the very early production period which feature the early type, split brass and rubber floor glides which screwed in-line and into the foot of the brass legs, this was quickly replaced by a simplified, longer and more heavy looking ,single piece boot type glide in moulded plastic which slid over the brass leg which in my opinion spoilt the continuous flowing line of the brass legs. Please see images 9 , the central color photo in the photo collage is taken from an original period Arflex manufacturer's catalog we have clearly showing the very early type of floor glides with additional surrounding black and white photos documenting a few of Carboni's artworks and interior installations. Image 10 is taken from Daniele Baroni's 1982 bible on the history of Arflex , the black and white photo is an early publicity photo of the Delfino chair taken in 1954 (please read the text) and again documents the early form of floor glides. Both the lounge chair and ottoman have had their upholstery fully restored, stripping both right back to their bare frames before fitting new high quality latex foam and new Pirelli rubber seat support webbing as per the original specifications Both are finished in matching high quality Danish Kvadrat 'Divina' fabric. We have a full series of photos taken throughout the restoration process as proof of the extensive restoration that has been undertaken. Both the lounge chair and ottoman also retain their early period fabric Arflex manufacturer's labels which we managed to save from the original worn fabric and have sewn back onto the new fabric in their original positions during restoration to maintain the provenance and authenticity. Erberto Carboni was a true polymath, equally proficient as an artist, sculptor, graphic and interior designer he quickly gained significant fame for his artwork. He designed national advertising campaigns for many major companies including Olivetti , Shell and Barilla for which he won the prestigious gold palm award for advertising in 1952. During 1953-4 Carboni was invited to design the television logo and testcard image for the Italian national TV and radio service, RAI. His paintings and sculptures were presented through the major Italian art galleries of the period in addition to the Venice Biennale in 1972 where he presented his 'TOTEM 36' , a six metre high sculpture in steel. The stunning 'Delfino' chair is the only lounge chair that Carboni designed and is an absolute all time Classic of Italian post war biomorphic design. Dimensions: Lounge chair Depth 30.5 (77.5cm) x height 34.45 (87.5cm) x width 28.54 (72.5cm). Seating height 15.16 (38.5cm). Ottoman; Width 20.08 (51cm) x depth 20.47 (52cm) x height 15.16 (38.5 cm). Literature: 'Arflex 51-81', pg 19, Daniele Baroni, A.Lucini and C, Milano, 1981. PLEASE SEE IMAGE 10. 'REPERTORIO 50-80', pg 81, Gramigna,1985 'Domus', SEPT 1955 , COVER PAGE and pg 106 full page article with construction details 'Domus', DECEMBER 1955, page 41, full page Arflex advert 'RIVISTA DELL ARREDAMENTO', March 1956, page 23, full page article 'RIVISTA DELL ARREDAMENTO' August 1956, COVER PAGE 'Domus' JULY 1957, page 31 full page Arflex advert.

Creator:
Erberto Carboni (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 34.45 in (87.5 cm)Width: 28.55 in (72.5 cm)Depth: 30.52 in (77.5 cm)Seat Height: 15.16 in (38.5 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Steel,Wool,Enameled
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1954
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Upholstery on both the lounge chair and ottoman have been fully restored including new 'Divina' fabric by Kvadrat,Denmark, new high quality latex foam throughout and new Pirelli rubber support webbing. The brass legs have been lightly hand polished.
Seller Location:
bergen op zoom, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU93016503323