Gio Ponti for Cassina, Series of six black lacquered “Superleggera” chairs, 1950s.

Gio Ponti, attributed to.
Cassina, edited by. 

Series of six “Supperleggera” model chairs in black lacquered ash. Square mulched seats. Slightly tapered straight legs connected by six spacer bars. Right backrest inclined in the upper part and slightly curved.

Regarding the Superleggera model for Cassina, which is both functional and minimalist, Ponti tested the prototype by launching it from the 4th floor of a building. The test was found to be conclusive once the chair landed intact on the floor.

Italian work realized in the 1950s. 

Dimensions : H 82 x W 42 x D 42 cm

Reference : LS45862001

Gio Ponti (1891-1979) is an Italian architect, designer, painter, author, teacher and editor. A major protagonist in the revival of post-war Italian design, his three flagship works are the Pirelli Tower (1956-1960), erected in Milan, the Villa Planchart in Caracas and the Superleggera chair, created for Cassina in 1957. He also has worked for Artemide. In 1928, he founded the review Domus, which deals with architecture, design and art.

Cassina is an Italian company, created by two brothers who belong to a family of furniture craftworkers. It supported the designers in their creative and innovative process. The company would reediting pieces of furniture of contemporary design and became pioneer to promote the international design. Today, Cassina’s brand is worldwide well-know on the design market.

DARDI Domitilla, VANNI Pasca, Manuel de l’histoire du design, SilvanaEditoriale, 2016, p. 143

Made in Italy, Les grands noms du Design, Vercelli, éd White Star, 2011, p. 40-41

Neumann Claudia, Dictionnaire du Design Italie, Paris, éd. Seuil, 1999, p. 293 à 297