Franco Albini pair of 1st edition "Fiorenza" armchairs by Arflex, Italy, 1952

A rare pair of 1st edition armchairs with walnut frame, brass details and upholstered parts, model Fiorenza, designed by Franco Albini, produced by Arflex, Italy, 1952

Design, form, and ergonomics converge in Fiorenza, a 1952 creation by Franco Albini. An eclectic figure receptive to the most influential European movements of the time, Albini personally met key figures such as Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. These experiences undeniably shaped his work, though never at the expense of his unique and unmistakable creative voice.

With these armchairs, Albini successfully balances refined aesthetics with exceptional comfort, resulting in pieces that remain strikingly contemporary. The upholstered element, designed to follow the natural contours of the human body, rests on a wooden frame with distinctive crossed supports—a structural motif also found in other pieces by the designer. Notably, the seat appears delicately suspended, attached to the wooden frame by a fabric band—an elegant and technically brilliant solution.

It is in the details, however, that these armchairs truly come alive. Not merely appealing to design connoisseurs, the subtle beauty of these features can also captivate anyone with a sensitivity to thoughtful craftsmanship. One such detail in this particular pair is the presence of brass inserts beneath the armrests, a distinguishing feature of the very first Fiorenza models produced under the guidance of the historic firm Arflex—one of the founding names of what we proudly recognise today as Made in Italy.

These armchairs also hold a place of importance in industrial design history, as they were among the first to incorporate expanded polyurethane foam in their upholstery. They were even featured in advertising campaigns by Pirelli—renowned for its tyres and rubber products—at a time when the company was expanding its influence beyond the automotive sector and into the world of furniture.

Comfortable, current, and undeniably collectible, this pair of completely original Fiorenza armchairs is ready to bring an elegant and cultured presence to any interior.

Dimensions: 100 h x 66 w x 94 d cm - seat height 41 cm