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A 20th Century Swiss Leather De Sede Ds-600 "Caterpillar" Sofa
About the Item
A stunning cream leather de Sede DS-600 segmented “caterpillar“ sofa, mid to late 20th century, with rounded back supports and arms, the sixteen segmented sections each joined by a zipped mechanism.
The 1970s were not as celebrated for iconic furniture designs as the two preceding decades, when modern furniture came into its own. Nevertheless, the decade witnessed some historic contributions and unquestionably one of its most striking designs was de Sede’s DS-600 modular Non Stop sofa.
Swiss furniture maker de Sede launched this whimsical and unorthodox model in 1972 and is still making it today. A hallmark of several mid-century modern furniture designs, including the Non Stop, is the ability to offer nearly endless configurations, giving owners the flexibility to rearrange the seating pieces with ease or fit them into different room layouts.
Resembling a caterpillar or an accordion, the Non Stop sofa is composed of modular sections that are connected with hinges, but can be detached. They can be bent so the sofa forms a C, S, U, or an L. Sections can be removed or added to create a look to suit every taste. Some choose to keep their Non Stops perfectly straight.
De Sede began in Klingnau, Switzerland as a tanner’s workshop and has long been known as a maker of fine leather furniture that is versatile and comfortable. The DS-600 (its formal name, according to the de Sede catalogue) is the most well known of the company’s furniture designs. The Non Stop earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest sofa with an example that boasted more than 400 connected sections. That record-setting behemoth was designed by the de Sede in-house team of Heinz Ulrich, Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, and Klaus Vogt.
Interestingly, while the DS-600 has come to be known as the Non Stop sofa, this title seems to have not been used by de Sede. A Google search to find the genesis of this nickname yields no useful information, but the moniker has clearly stuck. The company notes on its website that the sofa was actually named after a mythical creature in Alpine lore, the Tatzelwurm, which is said to be a long and slender lizard or worm-like creature that has the face of a cat.
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Please note that our interior pieces are located at our Interior Design Showroom in Buckinghamshire, if you wish to see the item in person, please contact us to arrange an appointment.
CONDITION
In very good condition throughout, only minor signs of wear and tear consummate with light use. Seating comfortable. No rips or tears to the leather. Please refer to photographs
SIZE
Height: 75 cm // 29.53 inches
Width: 23.5 cm // 9.25 inches
Depth: 100 cm // 39.37 inches
Seat Height: 43 cm // 16.93 inches
(16 sections)
- Creator:De Sede (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 148.04 in (376 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In very good condition throughout, only minor signs of wear and tear consummate with light use. Seating comfortable. No rips or tears to the leather. Please refer to photographs.
- Seller Location:Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: B105271stDibs: LU1348240437082
De Sede
A de Sede piece lends a strong personality to the room it occupies. One of the world’s most respected furniture design houses, de Sede’s quality Swiss craftsmanship has its foundation in a long history of making expertly designed saddles. Founded in 1965 to build on a successful family-run saddler’s workshop in Klingnau, Switzerland, de Sede now is a leading manufacturer of leather goods and furniture, including sofas, chairs and beds.
At the core of de Sede’s philosophy is a reverence for the complexity and beauty of handcrafted furniture in an age when mass-produced objects are the norm. Over the years, the atelier has built a name for itself in its modular furniture pieces, which are made using the highest quality leather upholstery. The sleek, elegant pieces incorporate functionality with beauty. Amongst their best-selling designs is the DS-600 introduced in 1972. Also known as the Non Stop sofa, it is a sensually curved, snaking modular sofa whose individual pieces can be zipped together to create multiple variations and arcs.
De Sede has collaborated with some of the world's finest design minds, enhancing the prestige and individuality of their products. Designers like Santiago Calatrava, Antonella Scarpitta, Stephan Hürlemann, Gordon Guillaumier and Philippe Malouin have all created pieces with the atelier. Ubald Klug’s 1974 DS-1025, also known as the Terrazza sofa, is an enduring favorite with its cascading levels of leather. In 2017, de Sede expanded its product line to include high-quality leather handbags, which are as thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted as its furniture. De Sede AG is now part of the Volare Group AG and continues to handcraft its fine furniture and other goods from its factory in Klingnau.
Find authentic de Sede seating, tables and decorative objects today on 1stDibs.
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Woodham, United Kingdom
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