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Cesare Lacca Mid Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchair for ISA Bergamo
€2,870Bid from €2,583
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Extraordinary armchair designed by Cesare Lacca for the renowned manufacturer ISA (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti) Bergamo, dating back to the 1950s.
This piece is an emblematic example of the elegance and formal research that characterized the production of the Bergamo-based brand in the postwar years, when ISA established itself as one of the most innovative players in the Italian design landscape.
The high backrest, with its soft and enveloping lines, gives the seat a sculptural and dynamic character, while the rounded armrests and the midnight blue velvet upholstery enhance the sense of comfort and refinement.
The handcrafted edging with rows of brass studs emphasizes the sinuous profile of the armchair, enriching it with a precious decorative detail that dialogues perfectly with the tapered gilt-aluminum legs, typical of ISA’s production in that decade.
In those same years, ISA Bergamo collaborated with some of the most important names in Italian design, such as Gio Ponti, Ignazio Gardella, Paolo Buffa, and Nino Zoncada, creating works that combined functionality, high-quality craftsmanship, and a modern, international aesthetic language.
This piece by Cesare Lacca fully reflects that climate of innovation, representing a refined synthesis of organic lines, fine materials, and absolute comfort.
Today, this armchair is not only a seat of great aesthetic charm but also a historical testimony to the creative fervor that animated Italian design in the 1950s, destined to enhance both contemporary interiors and museum collections.
Excellent vintage condition as shown in the photographs.
Product Name: Armchair by Cesare Lacca for ISA Bergamo
Designer: Cesare Lacca
Year of Design: 1950s
Style: Postwar Italian Modernism
Main Materials: Wooden frame, midnight blue velvet upholstery, brass stud edging, tapered gilt-aluminum legs
Distinctive Features: High backrest with soft and enveloping lines, rounded armrests, hand-applied brass edging, sinuous and sculptural profile
Dimensions: Height 80 cm Width 70 cm Depth 72 cm
Comfort: Enveloping and ergonomic seat, designed to combine elegance with comfort
Typical Use: Refined residential interiors, representative living rooms, design collections
Design Icon: Representative example of ISA Bergamo’s production
Versatility: Suitable for both contemporary and classic interiors
Current Condition: Excellent overall vintage condition as shown in the photographs
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to consider these characteristics before purchasing.
If you would like to receive additional photos of this item, please feel free to contact us directly through the 1stDibs messaging system. We will be happy to provide you with further images and any additional details you may need.
Cesare Lacca was an Italian designer and architect active mainly between the 1940s and 1960s, renowned for his elegant and functional furniture, often characterized by meticulous attention to artisanal detail and a refined modernist taste.
Trained in Milan, the epicenter of postwar design culture, Lacca became particularly well known for his bar carts and service tables produced during the 1950s, many of which are now considered icons of Italian mid-century design. His creations combined organic and lightweight lines with fine materials such as brass, bent wood, glass, and fabric or leather upholstery.
His stylistic language oscillated between rationalist sobriety and the sensuality of curves, with a particular predilection for sculptural details. Some of his armchairs and seats stand out for their enveloping backrests, tapered legs, and fine finishes—elements that place them among the best Italian productions of the postwar period.
Many pieces by Cesare Lacca were produced by distinguished manufacturers such as ISA Bergamo (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti), a company that in those years collaborated with masters like Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Ignazio Gardella, and Nino Zoncada. This network of collaborations allowed Lacca to integrate into a highly innovative context where artisanal tradition and international modernity converged.
Today, his works are highly sought after by collectors and international markets: his brass-and-glass bar carts, as well as his armchairs and tables, often appear in major design auctions and in galleries specialized in Italian modernism.
The production of Cesare Lacca bears witness to the creative energy of postwar Italian design, characterized by a harmonious synthesis of function, elegance, and craftsmanship.
Additional details:
- Style: Postwar Italian Modernism
- Colour: Midnight Blue
- Colour: Gilt
- Colour: Brass
- Period: 1950s
Specifications
CategoryArmchairsConditionVery goodMaterialAluminium, Wood, Velvet, BrassStyleMid Century ModernBrand / designerLaccaBrandCesare LaccaHeight80 cmWidth70 cmDepth72 cmSeller locationConversano, ItalyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
Seller information
About this seller
ProfessionalConversano, ItalyOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 0 sales