Gio Ponti Set of six Superleggera Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1957

A set of six Superleggera chairs, produced by Cassina in the early 1960s and designed by Gio Ponti, has undergone professional restoration while preserving and refinishing their ash frames in the original color. The old woven straw seats have been replaced with meticulously hand-knotted rattan peel seats, maintaining the chair's lightweight essence.

The Superleggera chair is a renowned design created by the Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. "Superleggera" translates to "super light" in Italian, which perfectly describes the chair's main characteristic—its exceptionally lightweight construction.

Gio Ponti designed the Superleggera chair in 1957 for the company Cassina. It is considered an iconic piece of furniture design and a symbol of mid-century modern style. The chair features a minimalistic and elegant design, emphasizing simplicity and functionality.

The Superleggera chair's frame is made of solid wood, typically ash or walnut, with slender and tapered legs. It incorporates a ladder-back design, with thin horizontal slats forming the backrest. The seat is typically made of woven straw or rush material, adding to the chair's lightness and natural aesthetic.

Ponti's innovative approach to the chair's construction led to its remarkable lightness while maintaining structural integrity. The use of lightweight materials and the careful design of the frame resulted in a chair that weighs only around 1.7 kilograms (3.7 pounds), hence its name.

The Superleggera chair has become an enduring design classic, celebrated for its harmonious proportions, refined details, and timeless appeal. It represents Gio Ponti's mastery of combining form and function, creating a piece of furniture that is not only visually appealing but also practical and comfortable.