Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Ten ‘Lira e Liuto’ Dining Chairs in Leather

Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of ten ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, black leather, Italy, 1989

This postmodern set of ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina is executed in black leather, carefully stitched around the seat and structure. Both the four legs and the rounded seat are fully upholstered, creating a continuous monochrome appearance that visually unifies the different elements of the chair. A stitched circular motif on the backrest introduces a subtle decorative detail. The ‘Lira e Liuto’ appears to have evolved from Bellini’s iconic ‘CAB’ chair, designed in 1977, particularly in its distinctive use of leather as both upholstery and an integral part of the chair’s overall construction.

Mario Bellini (1935) is an internationally renowned Italian architect and designer. Born in Milan, Bellini earned his PhD in architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959. After his graduation, Bellini started working as an architect, and as a consultant for the Italian electronics company Olivetti. Besides architecture and electronics, Bellini also dedicated his career to automotive and furniture design. He has designed numerous items for Vitra, Artemide, Kartell, Cassina and more. The iconic 1977 Cab Chair for Cassina is one of Bellini's most prominent designs. The appreciation of his outstanding work has been made clear with eight Compasso d'Oro design awards. Over 20 items of his works are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.