Coppia di divani Maralunga di V. Magistretti Produzione Cassina anni 70
About the Item
- Creator:Cassina (Manufacturer),Vico Magistretti (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 107.88 in (274 cm)Depth: 37.41 in (95 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. È stata sostituita la stoffa originale ,con un bellissimo velluto blu.
- Seller Location:Lucca, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3145334244352
Maralunga Sofa
While origin stories behind the world’s timeless designs vary widely, the story of the Maralunga sofa is one of the best in design lore: As legend has it, when Cassina founder Cesare Cassina first saw the prototype for the piece in the mid-1970s by Italian furniture designer Vico Magistretti (1920–2006), he was so disgusted by it that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumbled over itself . . . into the shape the piece would eventually take. (“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” Magistretti allegedly responded.)
Whether it was his accidental adjustment or further consideration of the design, Cassina clearly came around: His company debuted Magistretti’s design in 1973. The Maralunga is characterized by what looks like a slumped backrest but is really an adjustable-height headrest, moved by way of a bicycle chain that runs underneath its plush foam cushions.
The effect is a sofa that serves two functions: It’s both a backdrop for social conversation and a setting for solo relaxation. “My intention with Maralunga was to design an object that represented a whole range of interior architecture with a familiar feel,” Magistretti said of the design. “Two positions, two possible uses, two different ways to create your own personal space inside a room.”
While the Maralunga’s boxy shape is pure ’70s, the sofa holds its own in a range of interiors and remains popular today. Cassina now produces it in a variety of upholstery options and, in 2014, enlisted a slew of designers to reinterpret it in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
Vico Magistretti
As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, “There is no excuse for bad design.” His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.
Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogers’s vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistretti’s first architectural designs is a “poetic” round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.
When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his father’s architectural firm. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.
In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassina’s luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.
Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistretti’s Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.
“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralunga’s slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italy’s Compasso d’Oro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.
Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.
Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lucca, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Eclisse Lampada da tavolo di Vico Magistretti per ArtemideBy Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Lucca, ITEclisse Arancio Lampada da tavolo di Vico Magistretti produzione Artemide Italia 1960. Lampada Eclisse è una lampada iconica disegnata da Vico Magistretti e prodotta da Artemide isp...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Coppia di Pouf Riviera di Franco Albini 1960 Bambù e Vimini Italia 1960By Franco AlbiniLocated in Lucca, ITCoppia di pouf Riviera di Franco Albini Italia 1960 , sono in vimini e bambù , in ottimo stato di conservazione. Possono avere la doppia funzione sia come sedute che come due tavolin...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsBamboo, Wicker
- 1960s Armchair Mid-Century Modern from CassinaBy CassinaLocated in Lucca, IT1960s armchairs Mid-Century Modern from Cassina, It is very confortable and gives style and decoration to any type of environment and room ... sitting room, study bedroom, and hall ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Afra&Tobia Scarpa 1 Poltrona in Pelle Cassina 1970By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lucca, ITPoltrona, in pelle celeste chiarissima di ottima qualità ,disegnata da Afra & Tobia Scarpa Produzione Cassina 1970 . Ha i piedi neri in metallo. Una bell...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Amphibious Sofa by A.Becchi from Giovanetti 1970s LeatherBy Alessandro Becchi, GiovannettiLocated in Lucca, ITAnfibio Sofa in cognac-colored leather , by Alessandro Becchi produzione Giovannetti , this sofa was and is incredibly successful, it is one of the most iconic sofas designed in the ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Sofa by Gio Ponti for Home and GardenBy Gio Ponti, Casa e GiardinoLocated in Lucca, ITSofa by Gio Ponti for Home and Garden 1950 .This sofa is a two-seater , it is a sofa with soft and enveloping lines , with its rounded line is a design icon of the 1950s .It sets w...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- "Maralunga" 2-seater by Vico Magistretti / CassinaBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Wien, WienThe "Maralunga" 2-seater, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, is a classic and iconic collection in the world of Italian furniture. Introduced in the 1970s, the Maralunga sofa ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- "Maralunga" Set by Vico Magistretti / CassinaBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Wien, WienThe "Maralunga" set, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, is a classic and iconic collection in the world of Italian furniture. Introduced in the 1970s, the Maralunga sofa is pa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- "Maralunga" 3-seater by Vico Magistretti / CassinaBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Wien, WienThe "Maralunga" 3-seater, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, is a classic and iconic collection in the world of Italian furniture. Introduced in the 1970s, the Maralunga sofa ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Maralunga 2-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina from the 70sBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Milan, ITMaralunga two-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in the 1970s. Ribbed light mint green fabric upholstery. The movement of the backrest and lateral armrests is funct...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Maralunga sofa Cassina 70's leatherBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in Milano, MIIl divano Maralunga di Cassina, disegnato da Vico Magistretti, è ormai un simbolo nella collezione del design Cassina Vincitore del Compasso d’Oro nel 1979, Maralunga è la materializ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970sBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Lasne, BESofa in creamy white fabric. It is possible to open the backrest for more comfort. Height when open: 96 cm. Seat height: 44 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Billy Cotton Layers His Interiors with Lived-In Comfort
The Brooklyn-based designer is adept at styles ranging from austere to over-the-top, espousing an architectural, detail-oriented approach also evident in his line of furniture and lighting.