Marco Zanuso three-seat original "Lady" sofa for Arflex, Italy, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Marco Zanuso (Designer),Arflex (Manufacturer)
- Design:Lady Divano SofaLady Series
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 82.75 in (210.19 cm)Depth: 37 in (93.98 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Great vintage condition and freshly reupholstered in houndstooth. See pictures for details.
- Seller Location:Skokie, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8194236970302
Marco Zanuso
Italian designer Marco Zanuso helped cement his country’s place as a world leader in furniture design that used new materials in revolutionary ways.
Zanuso was part of a generation of furniture designers who encouraged a sharp departure from the traditionalism and classicalism that reigned over the design industry before the war. These designers, who are associated with what we now call mid-century modernism, experimented with new technologies and materials to deliver on the world’s newfound need for streamlined products that represented the future.
After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1939 with a degree in architecture, Zanuso served in the Navy during World War II. Soon after the war, he opened his own design firm in Milan in 1945. He later became an editor at well-regarded design magazines Domus and Casabella. He used this editorial platform to both promote new Italian designs as well as his own pieces, some of which he made using unconventional materials like foam and latex. For instance, his famous Lady armchair from 1951 is a composition of foam rubber and Nastro Cord, a recently invented textile band of rubberized fabric that eliminated the need for metal springs. It was one of several pieces he designed for Italian manufacturer Arflex, along with the 1949 Antropus chair and the 1951 Sleep-o-matic sofa.
Zanuso often collaborated with other like-minded creatives. From 1955 until 1957, he was Olivetti’s architect, designing factories across Brazil, and for nearly two decades, he collaborated with German designer Richard Sapper. The pair’s most famous product is the 4999 children’s chair, manufactured in the 1960s by Kartell in Italy. The stackable chair was the first to be manufactured entirely of injection-molded plastic. Zanuso and Sapper also partnered on the 1962 Brionvega Doney 14, the first European-made portable transistor TV; its sleek, compact and curvy form deeply influenced the design of television sets that followed, which were far more sculptural in form than the rigid boxes that characterized early models.
From the 1970s onward, Zanuso taught architecture and industrial design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He still exercised his creative talents, planning the headquarters for computer companies and renovating Italian theaters.
Each of Zanuso’s elegant works were demonstrative of a forward-looking sensibility. His projects saw an integration of novel industrial materials that not only helped emphasize the beauty of good design but also played a role in rendering these well-made products accessible to everyday consumers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Marco Zanuso furniture, including armchairs, sofas, table lamps and other items.
Arflex
From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Skokie, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Marco Zanuso vintage "Regent" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1960sBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Skokie, ILMarco Zanuso vintage "Regent" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1960s Exceptional lounge chair designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1960s for Arflex...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Ettore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960sBy Ettore Sottsass, PoltronovaLocated in Skokie, ILEttore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s Additional Information: Materials: Lacqured wood, upholstery Dimensions: 22" H x 979" W x 31 1/2" D Condition: Ver...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Archizoom Vintage White "Superonda" Sofa, Poltronova, Italy, 1960sBy Andrea Branzi, Archizoom Associati, PoltronovaLocated in Skokie, ILArchizoom vintage original white "Superonda" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s An icon of Italian Design of the Post-modern Radical design era. The Superonda was a symbol of the new...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFoam, Upholstery
- "D-70" Sofa with Rare Chrome Frame by Osvaldo Borsani, 1960sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Skokie, ILOsvaldo Borsani newly upholstered "D-70" sofa with rare chrome frame for Tecno, Italy, 1960s. This adjustable sofa to-daybed was designed by Osvaldo Borsani. The classic Italian mi...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Franco Albini rare "Fiorenza" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1953By Franco Albini, ArflexLocated in Skokie, ILThis highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for only one year. An early variant of the iconic "Fiorenza" armchair, this stunning pair of armchairs consist of a sculptura...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Rare "Cornaro 220" Sofa by Carlo Scarpa for Simon International, 1970sBy Carlo ScarpaLocated in Skokie, ILCarlo Scarpa rare "Cornaro 220" Sofa by for Simon International, Italy, 1970s Additional Information: Materials: Stained mahogany, velvet, brass, leather Dimensions: 26" H x 119...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMahogany
- Original Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in London, GBA very rare authentic early Marco Zanuso Lady sofa, Arflex, France/Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in premium ivory Larsen / Cowtan and Tout fabric....Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Two-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s, New Pure MohairBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in London, GBRare authentic two-seat Marco Zanuso lady sofa, Arflex, France/Italy, 1960s. Newly upholtsered in a premium, taupe (brown / grey), pure mohair fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflexBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Munich, DErare and elegant lady sofa by marco zanuso. only produced for a short period by arflex / italy.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Two-Seat Triennale Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis two-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The upholstery is covered in pink velvet fabric, which shows slight si...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Marco Zanuso "IX Triennale" Sofa for Arflex, Italy 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Utrecht, NL“There is no border between craftsmanship and design. What we do on the model, which will then be reproduced a thousand times, is an activity in which we bring all our experience.” s...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Senior Sofa by Marco Zanuso for ArflexBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Paris, FRSenior sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Canapes
MaterialsBrass, Iron