Gio Ponti for Cassina Pair of Armchairs in Cherry

Gio Ponti for Cassina, pair of armchairs, model '516', cherry, grey fabric, Cassina, Italy, 1955.

This pair of armchairs is designed by Gio Ponti and manufactured by Cassina. The design is characterized by a few distinct features that stand out. For instance, the sculptural, upwards rising armrests and the vertical, open slats in the back. The sculptural tapered legs and the flowing, thinning and thickening lines. This model '516' speaks the signature design language by Ponti - lovely playful details and swooping, theatrical lines.

Giovanni (Gio) Ponti (1891 – 1979) is one of the most influential Italian designers of the twentieth century. His contribution to architecture, furniture design and the arts has been substantial. Born in Milan in 1891, he attended the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he graduated in Architecture in 1921 after serving the military during WWI. He opened his first studio in 1927 in Milan with architect Emilio Lancia. Soon after, he founded Domus magazine in 1928 with Gianni Mazzocchi, which became one of the most prominent European magazines in architecture and design. Ponti participated during the Triennale exhibitions of the 1930's, and later he became a member of the Triennial committee. A significant shift can be distinguished in his designs between the two World Wars. During the early years, Ponti's style positioned between rationalism and Lombard Classicism that came forward in his use of decorative elements in his furniture and objects. Functionality and a pragmatic approach started to play a bigger role in his later designs. His work as a designer fully took off after WWII, and he became an important figure in Italian industrial aesthetics that conquered the international markets in the 1950s. Gio Ponti worked together with many designers, such as Antonio Fornaroli and Alberto Rosselli, and his work has been of great inspiration for even more. A few amongst Ponti's followers are Paolo Buffa, Paco Muñoz and Lina Bo Bardi, as with the latter Ponti worked together on a series of projects during the early period of Bo Bardi's career.

Please note that the item is in good, used condition. Reupholstery is possible before shipping by our experienced craftsman and -women in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece retains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized reupholstery is possible as well.

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