Chair (4) - Leather

The Timeless Allure of the Cantilever Chair: An Icon of Rationalist Design Between Italian History and Bauhaus Avant-Garde
If there is a piece of furniture capable of synthesizing the very essence of aesthetic and structural modernity, this is certainly the set of chairs shown in the images. Characterized by a sinuous line in black metal tubing and a solid full-grain black leather seat, these seats perfectly embody the stylistic heritage of European functionalism, enriched by the renowned Italian-made craftsmanship quality.

The lot presents a refined cantilever geometry configuration, a solution that eliminates the need for traditional four legs to exploit the flexibility of metal. Structure: Continuous bent steel tubing with a matte black anodized or painted finish. The continuity of the frame creates both the ground support base and the armrests, upholstered in coordinated leather for a warm, ergonomic grip.

Seat and Backrest: Made of premium heavy leather (cowhide) saddle-stitched, stretched directly over the frame. The visible double perimeter stitches testify to high-level artisanal workmanship, designed to maintain tension and resist wear over time.

The presence of the original “Made in Italy” label under the seat guarantees provenance from Italian laboratories of excellence, active between the 1970s and 1980s, the golden era for reissues of classic design.
Historical References and the Creators of the Genre
The design of these chairs traces back to the aesthetic revolution promoted by the Bauhaus school in the 1920s, directly recalling the insights of the masters who redefined the concept of domestic and office furnishings.

Mart Stam: The Dutch architect historically credited with the first cantilever chair (Model S33 and S34 with armrests, dated 1926). Stam conceived the idea by joining gas pipes and elbow fittings, inspired by the flexibility of industrial structures.

Marcel Breuer: An absolute pioneer in using chromed and bent steel tubing (inspired by the handlebars of his Adler bicycle), creator of the famous Wassily and Cesca chairs.

The model on display here directly references the rigorous proportions of his line of desk and conference chairs.

Italian Craftsmanship (Matteo Grassi and Fasem): During the Postmodern boom, prestigious Italian companies specializing in leatherwork—such as Matteo Grassi and Fasem—took these modernist archetypes, perfecting the ergonomics of leather joined to metal and crafting minimalist total-black editions of extraordinary elegance, highly sought after in the vintage market.

Purchasing a coordinated set of four vintage chairs of this quality represents a unique opportunity both functionally and collectibly.

Thanks to the total-black look, these chairs integrate masterfully into any contemporary context. They find their perfect placement around a glass or solid wood dining table, or as formal seating in a professional office or in a meeting room with an industrial vibe.

Designer design does not depreciate; on the contrary, coordinated lots kept in good condition retain or increase their value on the mid-century modern market, establishing themselves as a true investment rather than a simple consumer expense. Combining the geometric rigor of Bauhaus with Italian manufacturing mastery means bringing a piece of history into one’s spaces that will never go out of style.