Vico Magistretti, Maralunga sofas for Cassina.

VICO MAGISTRETTI (Italy, 1920 - 2006) for Cassina.
Pair of Maralunga sofas, design 1973.
Black racing bicycle saddle, pink painted steel stem, cast iron base.
In overall good condition, fully functional. It shows signs of wear and use typical of the passage of time.
Measurements: 100 x 95 x 60 cm.

When Vico Magistretti devised the Maralunga sofa in 1973, he redefined the concept of modern comfort. With generous and welcoming forms, Maralunga offers an elegant response to contemporary relaxation needs. Its excellence was recognized with the Compasso d'Oro in 1979, becoming one of the pillars of 20th century Italian design and a key piece of the Cassina catalog. One of Maralunga's greatest innovations lies in its adjustable backrest, capable of transforming itself with a subtle gesture. Thanks to a hidden mechanism - a bicycle chain integrated into the foam - the backrest adapts to offer high or low support, redefining the ergonomics of relaxation. This technical solution, invisible and silent, distinguishes Maralunga as an absolute benchmark in functional design.

Vico Magistretti studied at the Milan Polytechnic, graduating in 1945, and was a follower of Ernesto Nathan Rogers. During the fifties he moved in the industrial design of furniture and lighting pieces, and some of his works are kept in the most important museums in Europe, the United States and Japan, highlighting especially his presence in the permanent exhibition at MoMA in New York. Throughout his career Magistretti was honored with numerous awards, including the gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale and the Grand Prix at the 1954 Milan Triennale, the Compasso d'Oro award in 1967 and again in 1979, and the gold medal of the Chartered Society of Industrial Artists & Designer in 1986.