Antonio Citterio per B&B Italia Raro sistema modulare di sedute Prima produzione - Sofa - Sity - Original fabric from B&B Italia

ANTONIO CITTERIO FOR B&B ITALIA
RARE “SITY” CORNER MODULE
FIRST PRODUCTION – 5 JANUARY 1987
COMPASSO D’ORO ADI 1987

Rare corner module from the Sity seating system, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia and originally belonging to a configuration comprising a total of six modules.

Manufactured on 5 January 1987, as confirmed by the original B&B Italia label attached to the module, this example belongs to the first production of the celebrated Sity system, which received the Compasso d’Oro ADI award in the same year.

This lot exclusively comprises the corner module shown in the photographs, complete with its original seat cushions and two large original back cushions filled with 100% goose down, including the characteristic shaped corner cushion.

Thanks to its generous dimensions and distinctive configuration, the module can be used independently as a compact corner sofa or combined with other elements from the Sity system to create larger and more articulated compositions.

AN ICON OF ITALIAN DESIGN

Sity is one of the most important and innovative projects in late 20th-century Italian design.

Designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, the system introduced a new concept of contemporary living, moving beyond the traditional idea of the sofa and transforming it into a genuine modular domestic architecture that could be freely configured and adapted to different ways of living.

The historical importance of the project was recognised as early as 1987, when Sity was awarded the Compasso d’Oro ADI, Italy’s most prestigious award in the field of industrial design.

The system was considered typologically advanced for its ability to renew the concept of domestic upholstered furniture by combining modularity, comfort, compositional flexibility and a strong visual identity.

Sity is still regarded as one of the most influential seating systems ever manufactured by B&B Italia and as one of the defining works of Antonio Citterio’s career.

FIRST PRODUCTION FROM 1987

This module comes from a rare original configuration comprising a total of six elements and is dated 5 January 1987, as stated on the original B&B Italia label.

This production date, coinciding with the year in which Sity received the Compasso d’Oro ADI, makes the piece particularly interesting from both a historical and a collectable perspective.

The module retains its original 1987 B&B Italia upholstery, distinguished by the combination of the salmon-coloured fabric covering the structure and the multicoloured geometric pattern of the cushions.

This colour combination, characteristic of the finest Italian design of the 1980s, enhances the architectural form of the module and emphasises its distinctive character.

COMFORT AND CONSTRUCTION QUALITY

As with the most important B&B Italia designs of the period, comfort is an integral part of the project.

The structure is made from steel profiles and retains its original Bayfit padding, an innovative cold-moulded polyurethane developed to provide elasticity, durability and consistent support over time.

The seat cushions retain their original Dacron DuPont filling, a high-performance material used by B&B Italia to provide comfort, resilience and dimensional stability, even after prolonged use.

The two large back cushions, including the shaped cushion designed to follow the geometry of the corner, are entirely filled with 100% goose down, giving the seat exceptional softness and a level of comfort that remains difficult to equal.

The balance between the support provided by Bayfit, the resilience of Dacron DuPont and the natural softness of goose down makes Sity one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded seating systems ever produced by B&B Italia.

ORIGINALITY AND STATE OF PRESERVATION

The module retains its original steel frame, Bayfit padding, 1987 upholstery, seat and back cushions, feet, B&B Italia label and original components.

The only conservation work carried out over the years concerned the replacement of the lower dust cover facing the floor, which had deteriorated with age and was replaced with an equivalent new element.

This work did not affect the structure, padding or original upholstery.

The module has recently undergone professional cleaning and conservative sanitisation, carried out with the aim of preserving the originality and integrity of its materials.

The structure is intact, the padding retains good elasticity and the original upholstery displays only light and normal signs of use consistent with its age.

CONTENTS OF THE LOT

This lot includes:

1 original Sity corner module;
its original seat cushions filled with Dacron DuPont;
2 large original back cushions filled with 100% goose down, including the characteristic shaped corner cushion;
original B&B Italia label attached to the module.

The other five modules belonging to the original composition are not included in this lot and are being offered separately.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Designer: Antonio Citterio

Manufacturer: B&B Italia

Model: Sity

Type: corner module from a modular seating system

Design year: 1986

Production date: 5 January 1987

Origin: original composition comprising 6 modules

Structure: steel profiles

Structure padding: Bayfit

Seat-cushion filling: Dacron DuPont

Back-cushion filling: 100% goose down

Upholstery: original B&B Italia fabric

Colours: salmon, blue and multicoloured geometric pattern

Model award: Compasso d’Oro ADI 1987

DIMENSIONS

Width: 160 cm

Depth: 95 cm

Height: 70 cm

CONDITION

In excellent overall condition, with normal and light signs of use consistent with its age, which do not affect the beauty, functionality or integrity of the module.

As this is a vintage item dating from 1987, it may display minor imperfections or light traces of its journey through time. These elements attest to its authenticity and character.

Over the years, it has undergone only conservative work intended to preserve the originality of the design.

Prospective buyers are invited to examine all the photographs carefully, including the detailed images, as they form an integral part of the description and document the actual condition of the item.

ORIGINAL B&B ITALIA DOCUMENTATION

The corner module comes from a single original Sity composition comprising a total of six modules, now being offered through separate lots.

The original B&B Italia documentation, shown in the final photographs of the listing, is unique and indivisible and is therefore not automatically included in this lot.

The buyer who successfully acquires at least four of the six modules belonging to the original composition will also receive the complete original B&B Italia documentation, including the quality-control certificate, production and warranty documentation, original upholstery samples, and documentation relating to the recent professional cleaning and conservative sanitisation.

This documentation provides important evidence of the originality and history of the complete composition.

SHIPPING

The item will be shipped with careful professional packaging and full insurance for its protection.

Any shipping cost shown in the listing is indicative only; the final cost will be calculated according to the buyer’s destination.

Delivery is to street level only; delivery to upper floors is not included.

Any additional expenses relating to special transport, customs duties, import taxes or local charges are entirely the responsibility of the buyer.