Set of four “Celestina” folding chairs by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1978—varnished steel and leather, marked; good vintage condition with rich patina.
Specifications:
- Designer: Marco Zanuso
- Manufacturer: Zanotta
- Country/Period: Italy, 1978 (design)
- Materials: Varnished steel, saddle leather
- Conditions: Good vintage condition; leather with even patina and signs of use; one leather knob torn; structurally solid; all chairs with engraved manufacturer’s mark
- Dimensions: 81 × 44 × 42 × 50 cm (H × seat H × W × D) / 31.9 × 17.3 × 16.5 × 19.7 in
- Price: €800 (set of four)
- Shipping: Contact us for a quote
Designed in 1978, the “Celestina” folding chair distills Marco Zanuso’s talent for elevating everyday typologies through thoughtful engineering and impeccable proportions. This set of four, produced by Zanotta, exemplifies the brand’s Milanese rigor and Zanuso’s capacity to reconcile utility with refinement.
The structure is a slim, varnished steel frame that folds with crisp precision, while the seat and backrest are composed of parallel leather strips that flex gently to the body. The warm brown leather reads with a measured sheen and tactile grain, contrasted by the dark frame; the proportions are compact yet generous enough for comfortable dining or occasional seating.
Company lore traces the model’s genesis to 1977, when Aurelio Zanotta, struck by a particularly well-resolved metal folding chair on the Croisette in Cannes, asked Zanuso to “turn Cinderella into a princess.” Starting from that humble reference, Zanuso specified quality materials and refined hardware details, creating a durable, elegant solution. Each chair in this set bears the engraved manufacturer’s mark. Condition is consistent with age and use, with attractive patina to the leather; one leather knob is torn, not affecting structural integrity.
Zanotta—founded by Aurelio Zanotta in 1954—became a leading publisher of Italian design, collaborating with figures such as Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Vico Magistretti, and championing technically advanced, culturally resonant products. “Celestina” stands within this lineage as a poised redesign of a vernacular type, ideal for refined interiors where versatility matters.
