Carlo Ratti

CARLO RATTI (Italy)
Three-seater bench, Italy, 1950s.
Teak plywood and black-lacquered metal frame.
A rare model with sinuous, curved lines.
In very good condition. Restored wood.
May pair well with lot 40040122
Measurements: 82 x 202 x 56 cm.

A three-seater bench designed by Carlo Ratti in the 1950s, at the height of the Italian modern design movement. The piece stands out for the expressiveness of its three independent seats, crafted from curved teak plywood, which take on an organic, enveloping silhouette.

The lightness of the black metal frame is a hallmark of the composition, contrasting with the warmth of the wood and creating a well-balanced arrangement that blends technical precision with formal sensuality. The curves of the backrests and armrests soften the austerity of the frame and lend the piece a dynamic, almost graphic character.

Carlo Ratti was an Italian designer active primarily in the 1940s and 1950s. He collaborated with the firm Industria Legni Curvati (ILC), which specialized in the production of bentwood furniture, exploring the possibilities of plywood and lightweight structures that met the needs of modern life in the postwar period. His pieces are characterized by a simple and functional design language, influenced both by European rationalism and by the innovations of designers such as Alvar Aalto and Charles & Ray Eames, who were also exploring bentwood.