Square Sofa by M. Zanuso for Arflex Fabric Italy 1970s-1980s
View Similar Items
Square Sofa by M. Zanuso for Arflex Fabric Italy 1970s-1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Marco Zanuso (Designer),Arflex (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.96 in (71 cm)Width: 55.91 in (142 cm)Depth: 35.63 in (90.5 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s-1980s
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1721233207032
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.
Zanuso 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.
- Skipper Feeling Sofa Alcantara Italy 1980sBy SkipperLocated in Milano, IT2-seater sofa with foam padding, alcantara upholstery and enamelled metal and brass frame.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
$1,406 Sale Price20% Off - Studio 65 'Bocca' sofa for Gufram 1980s-90sBy Gufram Furniture, Studio 65Located in Milano, ITIconic 'Bocca' model sofa designed by Studio 65 and produced by Gufram in the 1970s. Made as a tribute to Dali, specifically idea taken from Mae West's face. Padded with polyurethane...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 'Erasmo' sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B 1970s-80sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milano, IT2-seater sofa, foam padding, leather upholstery. Fair condition, worn leather upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Two 'Carmina' Carlo Santi Armchairs for Arflex, 1970sBy ArflexLocated in Milano, ITPair of vintage armchairs with ash wood frame and original checked fabric in brick tones model 'Carmina', designed by Carlo Santi and produced by Arflex from 1975.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Ash
- Vintage Sofa Fabric Italy 1950sLocated in Milano, ITSofa in the style of Carlo De Carli with sprung upholstery, fabric cover and beechwood legs.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
$2,636 Sale Price20% Off - Table Glass, Italy 1970s-1980sLocated in Milano, ITTable with glass top and enamelled metal legs. Good condition, small signs of usage.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMetal
$1,142 Sale Price20% Off
- 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
- 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
- Mid Century Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLA very beautiful sofa model "Triennale", designed by Marco Zanuso and edited by Arflex, Italy 1950's. Made of a solid structure and polished legs. This stunning piece is just re...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Midcentury Beige Velvet Sofa Triennale by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1956By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in MIlano, ITItalian midcentury Beige velvet Sofa Triennale by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1956 Iconic four seater sofa mod. Triennale with fully padded seat and ba...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- 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
- 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