Guido Rosati, for Giovannetti

GUIDO MARIA ROSATI for GIOVANNETTI.
Pair of “Papillon” armchairs, 1972.
Steel internal frame, polyurethane foam, and fabric upholstery.
In good condition. Reupholstered.
Measurements: 60 x 110 x 110 cm; seat height: 35 cm.

The “Papillon” armchair is one of Guido Rosati’s most unique designs for Giovannetti, as its transformable configuration is one of the design’s essential features. The piece can pivot 90 degrees on its own axis, so that the seat and backrest swap functions, allowing the direction of conversation to be changed without moving the armchair. This distinctive feature is documented by the manufacturer itself and places the model within the context of 1970s Italian design’s focus on flexible, informal furniture adaptable to new ways of living.

Its low, enveloping silhouette is constructed from large padded volumes, barely interrupted by the seams that articulate the different surfaces. The absence of a visible external frame accentuates its soft, sculptural appearance, while the generous dimensions of the seat and backrest reinforce the design’s relaxed character. The current upholstery, in a neutral shade, particularly emphasizes the continuity of these forms.

Guido Rosati, trained in architecture and based in Rome since 1970, devoted much of his work to the study of multifunctional furniture. During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, he designed lighting for firms such as Fontana Arte, Ve Art, Murano Due, and Luxo, and upholstered furniture for Giovannetti, Poltronova, and Arflex, among others. The “Papillon,” now also documented by the Museo del Design Toscano, is particularly representative of this experimental aspect of his career.