Vico Magistretti 905 arm chairs Cassina Italy 1964

Amazing large set of Model 905 dining chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Cassina in Italy in 1964. These chairs made from glossy black birch plywood. They have their original cognac leather seats. What makes this set extra special is that there are 12 of them, and finding such a large set is quite rare. They’re in excellent original condition, and there are beautiful details in the leather stitching and strapping. The 905 chairs are elegant and practical, with a solid wood frame, sleek cylindrical legs, and gracefully curved armrests with a detailed bend applied on the sides of it. These elements come together to support a leather seat, showing the top-notch craftsmanship of Cassina. Priced and sold in a set of 12.

Literature; Repertorio Del Design Italiano 195o~2000 Volume 1 Giuliana Gramigna, page 108

One of the most influential architects and designers in the 1960s, Ludovico Magistretti known by the nickname Vico, was born in Milan in 1920 into a family of architects. He enrolled in the school of architecture in 1939, and in 1943 moved briefly to Switzerland, where he met and frequented the architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers from Trieste, founder of BBPR. Magistretti considered Rogers to be one of his masters. Returning to Italy in 1945, he obtained his degree in Architecture and immediately began working in his father’s studio, who died that same year.

Magistretti was a prominent exponent of Italian Design, the cultural movement and phenomenon that spread Italian style throughout the world during the post-war period creating the myth of Italian design. His approach was based on close collaboration between designers and manufacturers throughout the process that started from the definition of the concept and ending with the execution of the final product. A great advocate of mass production, he was fascinated by the possibility of reproducing an object several times to ensure furniture for everyone, as the Bauhaus motto states. For Magistretti, a good design object can and must last 50 or 100 years. Some of his creations have become true icons and are still in production. They include the Eclisse lamp for Artemide, Compasso d’Oro in 1967; the Atollo lamp for Oluce; the Maralunga sofa and the Nuvola Rossa bookcase for Cassina; the Nathalie bed and Tadao for Flou; He worked for many other brands including De Padova, Fritz Hansen, Fontana Arte and Kartell. He died in Milan on September 19, 2006.