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 MODULAR “SITY” CHAISE LONGUE
FIRST PRODUCTION – 5 JANUARY 1987
COMPASSO D’ORO ADI 1987

Rare chaise longue belonging to the Sity modular 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.

The chaise longue is distinguished by its characteristic elongated and rounded form, its salmon-coloured fabric-covered structure and the distinctive cylindrical side element upholstered in dark leather. This detail gives the seat a strong architectural identity and emphasises its unmistakable 1980s aesthetic.

Thanks to its formal and functional independence, the module can be used on its own as a chaise longue or daybed, creating a complete and visually striking relaxation area, or combined with the other elements of the Sity system to reconstruct larger and more articulated compositions.

The lot has a particularly complete collection of original accessories, including two different interchangeable seat covers, one large goose-down back cushion and an original B&B Italia square cushion, also filled with goose down and complete with its original salmon-coloured fabric cover.

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 chaise longue 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.

The contrast between salmon, blue and the geometric pattern, completed by the dark leather cylindrical side element, enhances the distinctive form of the chaise longue and emphasises its characteristically postmodern appearance.

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 large original back cushion is entirely filled with 100% goose down, giving the seat exceptional softness and allowing its support to be adjusted freely according to the desired seating position.

The original B&B Italia square cushion included in the lot is also filled with 100% goose down and is complete with its original salmon-coloured fabric cover.

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 chaise longue is supplied with two different original B&B Italia 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 module easily, choosing between a configuration coordinated with the large geometric-pattern cushion and a contrasting version with a blue seat.

Both covers belong to the original B&B Italia accessories supplied with the composition and are included in this lot.

The lot also includes an original B&B Italia square cushion, filled with 100% goose down and complete with its original salmon-coloured fabric cover.

CONFIGURATION AND VERSATILITY

The chaise longue was conceived as an independent and versatile element.

Its elongated form, generous seat depth and large movable cushion allow it to be used in different positions, either as a traditional chaise longue or as a daybed for a more relaxed and informal seating experience.

The salmon-coloured square cushion included in the lot can be used as a decorative element, as lumbar support or as additional support to increase the comfort of the seat.

The characteristic cylindrical side element upholstered in dark leather is an integral part of the design and contributes to defining the recognisable visual identity of the module.

ORIGINALITY AND STATE OF PRESERVATION

The module retains its original steel frame, Bayfit padding, 1987 upholstery, seat, two interchangeable covers, large back cushion, the cylindrical side element upholstered in dark leather, feet, B&B Italia label and original components.

The square goose-down cushion and its salmon-coloured fabric cover included in the lot are also original B&B Italia 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 chaise longue module;
1 original seat with Dacron DuPont filling;
2 original B&B Italia interchangeable seat covers, one in multicoloured geometric-pattern fabric and one in blue denim-effect fabric;
1 large original back cushion with multicoloured geometric-pattern upholstery and 100% goose-down filling;
1 original cylindrical side element upholstered in dark leather;
1 original B&B Italia square cushion filled with 100% goose down;
1 original B&B Italia salmon-coloured fabric cover for the square 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: chaise longue 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 filling: 100% goose down

Square-cushion filling: 100% goose down

Upholstery: original B&B Italia fabrics

Seat covers: 2, original and interchangeable

Colours: salmon, blue denim effect and multicoloured geometric pattern

Side element: cylindrical, upholstered in dark leather

Model award: Compasso d’Oro ADI 1987

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 chaise longue 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.