1919 Armchair
Made by Poltrona Frau
Commissioned in 1919 for Filiberto Ludovico of Savoy, Duke of Pistoia, this armchair became the founding gesture of an entire craft philosophy. Renzo Frau drew from the French bergère tradition and recast it through an Italian sensibility: generous in proportion, ceremonial in presence, quietly insistent in comfort.
The capitonné backrest defines the piece. Hand-stitched diamond tufting creates a rhythm of shadow and depth that shifts with light and angle, giving the chair a visual life no flat surface can replicate. The enveloping profile holds the body with authority. Every curve is resolved with intention, every seam placed with purpose.
Upholstered in Pelle Frau leather, the 1919 is available across a considered range of hides and colors, each aged and selected by hand at the Poltrona Frau atelier in Tolentino. Over a century of continuous production, the form has remained faithful to Frau's original drawings, a rare instance of a design resisting revision because nothing needed correcting.
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1919 Armchair
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history behind the Poltrona Frau 1919 armchair?
The 1919 armchair was originally commissioned as a bespoke piece for Filiberto Ludovico of Savoy, Duke of Pistoia, and became the founding design of the Poltrona Frau brand. Renzo Frau adapted the classical French bergère form, translating it into a distinctly Italian idiom that balanced ceremony with personal comfort. The chair has remained in continuous production for over a century, faithful to Frau's original proportions.
What is Pelle Frau leather and how is it made?
Pelle Frau is Poltrona Frau's proprietary leather, produced and finished by hand at the company's atelier in Tolentino, in the Marche region of Italy. Each hide is individually selected, tanned, and treated to achieve a specific hand-feel, depth of color, and aging character. The process prioritizes consistency of grain and long-term patina over a uniform industrial appearance.
What does capitonné tufting mean on the 1919 armchair?
Capitonné refers to a hand-stitching technique that pulls the upholstery fabric or leather into a grid of raised diamond forms, creating dimensional relief across the surface. On the 1919, this technique is applied to the backrest and produces a pattern of shadow and depth that is entirely the result of craft skill rather than mechanical process. Each point is placed and tensioned by hand.
Is the Poltrona Frau 1919 armchair available in custom configurations?
The 1919 is offered across a wide range of Pelle Frau hides, colors, and finishes, allowing for significant customization through the atelier. Frame and leg finishes can also vary. Specifications are typically confirmed through an authorized dealer or design professional to ensure the configuration aligns with the full range of available options.
How does the 1919 armchair relate to the bergère chair tradition?
The bergère is an upholstered French armchair form that emerged in the eighteenth century, characterized by a closed, upholstered body between the arms and seat, and a generously padded back that encloses the sitter. Renzo Frau's 1919 interpretation retains this enveloping structure while refining the proportions toward a more restrained, modern silhouette rooted in Italian craft rather than French ornament.