Renzo Zavanella Attributed 1950’s Pair Of Wingback Armchairs Newly Reupholstered In Tweed

These chairs are truly a modern interpretation, with a Mid-Century Italian flair, of that quintessential American armchair: the wingback armchair. …
These chairs are truly a modern interpretation, with a Mid-Century Italian flair, of that quintessential American armchair: the wingback armchair.

We are proud to present to you a very rare pair of high armchairs attributed to Renzo Zavanella and newly re-upholstered in Tweed by Nobilis fabrics with tufted buttons and supported by walnut legs.

Zavanella, who began his career working in the studio of Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia, designed unique works for each of his projects characterized by his search for expressive forms and was greatly influenced by his ergonomic studies for train seating. While the armchair’s low seat and high narrow back are characteristic of Zavanella’s seating designs of the late 1940’s and 1950’s, their dynamic form and curved headrest closely relate to the architect’s studies for Officine Meccaniche (O.M.) railcar seating, where he designed chairs supported by three legs.
At the 1948 Milan Fair, Zavanella exhibited a new railcar traveling from Milan to San Remo, presenting the public with train travel of increased speed and comfort. The wide seat and curved shape of the railcar’s seating, which Zavanella has applied to these armchairs, allowed the passengers greater flexibility, reflecting a new period of post-war optimism in Italy.

Background: The modern structuralism of Renzo Zavanella. Essay by Mario Ferrari