Lady Chair
Made by Cassina
Designed by Marco Zanuso
Designed by Marco Zanuso in 1951, the Lady armchair arrived as a quiet revolution. It was among the first pieces of furniture to exploit the structural potential of foam rubber, a postwar material that Zanuso, trained as an architect, understood not as novelty but as possibility.
The seat, backrest, and armrests resolve into a single continuous form. Each element is load-bearing in its own right, the upholstery inseparable from the structure beneath it. Zanuso refused the decorative conventions of the era, pursuing instead a vocabulary of organic precision: rounded volumes held in careful proportion, a silhouette that reads as both modern and enduring.
The Lady was awarded the Medaglia d'Oro at the IX Triennale di Milano in 1951, a recognition of its formal intelligence as much as its technical audacity. Decades on, it remains one of the most consequential chairs of the twentieth century, a work where material research and sculptural restraint arrived at exactly the same moment.
- Designed by Marco Zanuso, 1951
- Pioneer use of foam rubber as a load-bearing structural material
- Medaglia d'Oro, IX Triennale di Milano, 1951
- Produced by Cassina as part of its I Maestri historic collection
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Lady Chair
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Pricing & Warranty
Pricing for made-to-order items varies based on configuration, finishes, and customization options. Please contact one of our design consultants or visit a showroom near you for current pricing and personalized assistance.
Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Cassina. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.
Authenticity guaranteed. Genuine product, authenticated and sourced directly from the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Cassina Lady Chair historically significant?
The Lady armchair was one of the first pieces of furniture to use foam rubber as a structural material rather than a decorative filling. This innovation, conceived by Marco Zanuso in 1951, fundamentally changed the approach to upholstered furniture and earned the design a Medaglia d'Oro at the IX Triennale di Milano.
Who designed the Lady Chair and what is his background?
Marco Zanuso was a Milanese architect and designer whose practice bridged industrial design, architecture, and product research. His work with Cassina and later with Brionvega and Arflex helped define the intellectual character of Italian postwar design.
Is the Lady Chair part of Cassina's I Maestri collection?
Yes. Cassina's I Maestri collection preserves the original designs of master architects and designers - including Zanuso, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand - produced with fidelity to the original specifications and materials.
What upholstery options are available for the Lady armchair?
The Lady armchair is available in a curated selection of Cassina fabrics and leathers. As a made-to-order piece, specific upholstery options can be discussed with a design consultant to suit the requirements of a particular project or interior.
How does the Lady Chair hold up in a residential vs. contract setting?
The Lady armchair's construction - with its integrated foam structure and hardwood frame - was conceived for durability as well as beauty. It is well suited to both residential interiors and contract environments where longevity and design integrity are equally valued.
