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About the Item
With Maralunga, I wanted to create an object that stands for a familiar interior design. A warm, comfortable and cozy place where you can feel at ease and rediscover the atmosphere of the old, comfortable and protective reading armchairs placed next to a fireplace or a window. – Vico Magistretti in the 1970ties.
An international bestseller with warm and cozy shapes, where the possibility of adjusting the backrest, the soft appearance and the upholstery underline its incredible comfort and offer room for numerous interpretations.
In the Maralunga sofa, which has been imitated countless times, the height of the headrest can be adjusted with a simple bicycle chain integrated into the frame. A state-of-the-art construction mechanism patented by Cassina allows the backrest to be adjusted directly from a lower position for more formal use of the sofa for socializing to the high position that guarantees pure relaxation.
The “family” includes an armchair, a stoola two-seater and three-seater sofa.
This offer here refers to the singel lounge armchair with its otmman, the other pieces can be found in our other offers.
The set comes from first hand, has always been treated with care and is in very good original condition.
Normal signs of use with beautiful, authentic patina.
Dear interior designers, architects and of course all other interested parties – due to the image compression of 1stdibs the photos here are unfortunately mostly rather spongy and possibly not suitable for customer presentations. feel free to contact us – we will send you high resolution photos in best quality!
To judge colors and nuances correctly, please use a mac retina display to view our photos!Creator: Vico Magistretti (Designer),Cassina (Manufacturer)Design: Maralunga SofaDimensions: Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 40.95 in (104 cm)Depth: 34.26 in (87 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)Style: Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)Materials and Techniques: Leather,Hand-CraftedPlace of Origin: ItalyPeriod: 1970-1979Date of Manufacture: 2010Condition: GoodWear consistent with age and use.Seller Location: Munster, DEReference Number: 1stDibs: LU1391243304402
Maralunga Sofa
Designed by Vico Magistretti
While origin stories behind the worlds timeless designs vary widely, the story of the Maralunga sofa is one of the best in design lore: As legend has it, when Cassina founder Cesare Cassina first saw the prototype for the piece in the mid-1970s by Italian furniture designer Vico Magistretti (19202006), he was so disgusted by it that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumbled over itself . . . into the shape the piece would eventually take. (Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that, Magistretti allegedly responded.)
Whether it was his accidental adjustment or further consideration of the design, Cassina clearly came around: His company debuted Magistrettis design in 1973. The Maralunga is characterized by what looks like a slumped backrest but is really an adjustable-height headrest, moved by way of a bicycle chain that runs underneath its plush foam cushions.
The effect is a sofa that serves two functions: Its both a backdrop for social conversation and a setting for solo relaxation. My intention with Maralunga was to design an object that represented a whole range of interior architecture with a familiar feel, Magistretti said of the design. Two positions, two possible uses, two different ways to create your own personal space inside a room.
While the Maralungas boxy shape is pure 70s, the sofa holds its own in a range of interiors and remains popular today. Cassina now produces it in a variety of upholstery options and, in 2014, enlisted a slew of designers to reinterpret it in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
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Vico Magistretti
As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, There is no excuse for bad design. His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.
Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogerss vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistrettis first architectural designs is a poetic round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.
When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his fathers architectural firm. It wasnt until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.
In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassinas luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.
Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistrettis Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.
Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that, an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralungas slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italys Compasso dOro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.
Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.
Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.
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