Large 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Set by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, Signed
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Large 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Set by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, Signed
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 39 in (99.06 cm)Depth: 39 in (99.06 cm)Seat Height: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 12
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 2010s
- Condition:Excellent like-new condition with almost no wear, only some minor light wear noticeable upon close examination. Ready to be used immediately in a high-end designer project.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330227356252
Missoni
In 1953, Ottavio “Tai” (1921–2013) and Rosita (b. 1931) Missoni opened a small knitwear shop in Gallarate, Italy, paving the way for what would become an iconic style of colorful chevron knit.
Missoni began with a tracksuit, which featured zippers down the legs because, as Rosita recalls it, “Tai was too lazy to take off his shoes when putting them on.” The couple’s fashion really took off, though, once they discovered the Raschel knitting machine on a trip to a shawl factory. The machine enabled the Missonis to knit multiple colors in a zigzag pattern, a motif that would go on to become synonymous with the Missoni brand across everything from its alluring vintage day dresses and sweaters to its purses, seating and rugs.
Missoni held its first fashion show in Florence in 1967 and caused a bit of a sensation when the models’ Lurex dresses proved translucent under the lights at the Pitti Palace. Scandal aside, the show went down in history as a hit, and the Missonis soon made their debut in the United States with the help of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who gave the variegated Missoni stripe the Vogue seal of approval, saying, “Who says a rainbow has seven colors? It has many shades.” (It was also Vreeland who reportedly introduced the Missonis to Neiman Marcus president Stanley Marcus, effectively shepherding the brand to the American market.)
Missoni’s many-shaded rainbow would soon become an emblem of the 1970s fashion scene, earning the brand a permanent place in the fashion canon. In 1973, the New York Times proclaimed: “Missoni’s weaved garments have ended up universal materialistic trifles, as Vuitton sacks and Gucci shoes.”
The brand branched into the home market in 1983, with Rosita overseeing this new venture, which included furniture, textiles and accessories. Daughter Angela succeeded her mother at the helm of the brand, where she still serves as president and creative director today; her brother Luca is CEO, while her daughter Margherita is creative director of offshoot M Missoni.
Find vintage Missoni clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
Roche Bobois
In 1974, Roche Bobois opened its first showroom in the United States on Madison Avenue in New York City. The celebrated luxury French furniture brand is now in 50 countries with more than 200 stores.
The Roche Bobois story has origins in 1950, when entrepreneur Jacques Roche converted an old Paris theater into two contemporary furniture boutiques so that his sons could help usher stunning Bauhaus-inspired work out of the shops and into French homes nearby. At another showroom called Au Beau Bois, also in the French capital city, the Chouchan family was simultaneously selling home furnishings. The families met later, when Philippe and François Roche convened with Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen in 1960 and afterward produced a catalog announcing their partnership.
Minimal and modernist Scandinavian design had gained prominence in the furniture industry by 1960, rendering designers such as Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen marquee names — and Roche Bobois's principals had taken notice. Following a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine a year later, the Scandinavian furniture that the newly minted Roche Bobois was importing to Paris became a huge success. Early promotional material from the firm likely included the sleek modular wall units crafted in rosewood by Danish furniture maker Poul Cadovius. It didn’t take long for Roche Bobois to shift toward producing its own contemporary furniture line.
When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, while also offering pieces like the chic Bambole two-seater — boasting soft duvet cushion covers — designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Bold works from the company during the decade included Marc Berthier’s Pop Art–colored tubular metal desks and chairs — the latter covered with braided fabric — as well as one of Roche Bobois’s most enduring and well-known pieces, the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by sculptor, painter and designer Hans Hopfer. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort.
Since its inception, Roche Bobois has worked with many internationally renowned architects and designers on its collections, among them Paola Navone and Vladimir Kagan. Even fashion designers such as Missoni and Emanuel Ungaro have made contributions to the company’s lineup.
In 2010, Roche Bobois marked its 50-year anniversary by debuting a partnership with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. A decade later, Roche Bobois teamed up with Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who designed a collection of organically shaped sofas as well as vibrant, colorful accent pillows and rugs.
Roche Bobois’s offerings over the years have included everything from mid-century modern armchairs to Art Deco case pieces to sculptural outdoor cocktail tables framed in metal wire — shop these classics now on 1stDibs.
- Roche Bobois Early Production Mah Jong Elements, Pair, Signed, 1970sBy Hans Hopfer, Roche BoboisLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis beautiful pair of Roche Bobois Mah Jong elements by Hans Hopfer are from the earlier years of the design in the 1970s, before they created the Missoni and Jean Paul Gaultier collaborations where they gained a new look. This pair of Mah Jong elements are without a seat back, so they are ideal as a pair of large floor cushions or stacked on top of another as a large ottoman. At home, we have another pair of these that we use for our dogs as a large dog bed which we humans also use. When we want more floor space we can stack them and push them against the wall. When we have guests and need more seating in the living room we pull them over and stack next to a coffee table. But most of the time it is side by side for the dogs to use and when us humans need a quick NAP - we use it as a daybed underneath a skylight or can lay with the dogs for a quick cuddle. This pair of Mah Jong sectional sofa elements was reupholstered with new fabric over the original interior foam, original bottom lining and labels. The visible fabric is brand new and is in mint condition. Everything else was cleaned, but is original. So it’s the best of both worlds - for those who want a clean, new fabric but also an early production year example of a Classic design. Photos of another pair that we have, in its original fabric are in the photos of this listing. This pair of early production Roche Bobois Mah Jong elements would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Danish modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a contemporary or Postmodern room. Also consider mixing it up in a traditional, transitional, classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an Apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as side chairs, bedside seating...Category
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