Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi Set of Ten 'Sapporo' Dining Chairs, circa 1970

The highly acclaimed and superbly crafted 'Sapporo' dining chairs, designed by Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, Italy, circa 1970. These chairs are made from Italian walnut with a stunning grain pattern. The chairs are a timeless classic, crafted with an individual backrest and two vertical slim slats which extend from the top backrest and down to the floor, creating a unique and cohesive visual appeal. They are simple, modern and streamlined, highlighting the beauty of the rich walnut contrasted with the caramel colored Italian leather seats which are wide and comfortable for long meals and leisurely evenings. They beautifully embody an enduring and classic style and elegance in one understated design. This minimalist design give the chairs a modern and elegant look similar to the Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa's iconic 'Africa' chairs, by which Marenco was surely influenced.
Newly restored and refinished; seats have been newly re-upholstered in an Italian caramel colored leather most similar to the original.

Mario Marenco was born in 1933. He studied architecture in Naples and won research grants for Stockholm and Chicago. In 1960 he opened his own atelier of architecture and design in Rome, named Studio DEGW. During his career as an architect, he taught at the University of Sydney and worked with companies such as B&B, Arflex, Mobil Girgi and Poltrana Frau. Mario Marenco is also known for his appearances on TV but his career as an actor and humorist has never overshadowed his predisposition for design.