Incredibly lightweight and elegant, this innovative chair was inspired by the traditional chairs produced in the Ligurian town of Chiavari. A first of its kind, the 699’s minimal design represented a transition into modern Italian design and the important, ever-changing relationship between designer and manufacturer. With a soft silhouette yet robust frame, its durability was put to the test when thrown from a four-storey building and landed intact. Perfect as a hallway or dining chair, the Superleggera is a functional classic that is sure to impress.
Gio Ponti was one of the most famous and influential architects of the 20th century, revolutionising the worlds of architecture and design.
Born in Milan in 1891 he earned a degree in architecture after serving his country’s military in WWI. He took his first job with an Italian ceramics company, serving as artistic director, and began to pursue architecture soon afterward. It is possible that his early career in ceramics design influenced the rest of his career, as Ponti never viewed architecture as simply creating buildings. Instead, he often conceived of the building’s interior as well, creating furniture, lighting and even items like ceramics, glassware, and silverware.
