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 GRAND-PIANO-SHAPED “SITY” MODULE
FIRST PRODUCTION – 5 JANUARY 1987
COMPASSO D’ORO ADI 1987

Rare large module with a distinctive grand-piano shape, belonging to the Sity seating system designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia and originating from an original composition 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 is the largest and most visually striking element of the original composition: a wide and deep seat, immediately recognisable by its distinctive plan resembling the shape of a grand piano. Its generous proportions and open structure were designed to provide particularly relaxed and informal comfort.

Thanks to its formal and functional independence, the module can be used on its own as a large sofa, daybed or double chaise longue, or combined with other elements from the Sity system to reconstruct larger and more articulated compositions.

The lot is accompanied by a particularly extensive collection of original accessories, including two removable headrests, two large back cushions, one square goose-down cushion, two interchangeable seat covers and three interchangeable covers for square cushions.

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, characterised by the combination of salmon-coloured fabric covering the structure, blue denim-effect fabric and the multicoloured geometric pattern of the cushions and interchangeable covers.

This colour combination, characteristic of the finest Italian design of the 1980s, enhances the distinctive grand-piano shape of the module and makes it possible to change its appearance easily by using the different original covers included in the lot.

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 retains its 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 original back cushions and the square cushion are entirely filled with 100% goose down, giving the module exceptional softness and a level of comfort that remains difficult to equal.

The module is also accompanied by two original removable headrests, which are fully adjustable and can be freely positioned along the backrest using the characteristic supports designed by Antonio Citterio. Both retain their original salmon-coloured fabric upholstery.

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.

INTERCHANGEABLE COVERS

The module is supplied with two different original interchangeable seat covers:

1 cover in multicoloured geometric-pattern fabric;
1 cover in blue denim-effect fabric.

The two covers make it possible to change the appearance of the seat easily, choosing between a configuration fully coordinated with the large geometric-pattern cushions and a contrasting version in blue fabric.

The lot also includes one original square cushion filled with 100% goose down and three original interchangeable covers of the corresponding size:

2 covers in salmon-coloured fabric;
1 cover in multicoloured geometric-pattern fabric.

One of the three covers can be used on the square cushion included in the lot, while the other two are supplied separately.

By having two additional square cushion inserts made to the same dimensions, the future owner could use all three covers simultaneously and create a complete set of three coordinated square cushions.

The two additional square cushion inserts are not included in this lot.

ORIGINALITY AND STATE OF PRESERVATION

The module retains its original steel frame, Bayfit padding, 1987 upholstery, seat, two large back cushions, square cushion, two removable headrests, 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 large Sity module with a distinctive grand-piano shape;
1 original seat with Dacron DuPont filling;
2 original interchangeable seat covers, one in multicoloured geometric-pattern fabric and one in blue denim-effect fabric;
2 large original back cushions filled with 100% goose down;
2 original removable and adjustable headrests, upholstered in salmon-coloured fabric and complete with their supports;
1 original square cushion filled with 100% goose down;
3 original interchangeable square-cushion covers, comprising 2 in salmon-coloured fabric and 1 in multicoloured geometric-pattern fabric;
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: large grand-piano-shaped 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 filling: Dacron DuPont

Back-cushion and square-cushion filling: 100% goose down

Upholstery: original B&B Italia fabrics

Colours: salmon, blue denim effect and multicoloured geometric pattern

Headrests: 2, original, removable and adjustable

Model award: Compasso d’Oro ADI 1987

DIMENSIONS

Width: 210 cm

Depth: 140 cm

Height of the structure: 70 cm

Maximum height with headrests: 95 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

This 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.