Sculptural Lounge Chair Model “Sess” by Nani Prina for Sormani, Italy 1960s

The Italian designer and journalist Nani Prina (1938) is a versatile figure who has always been involved in design, architecture and publishing. From 1969 he headed the magazine Ville e Giardini, which still exists today. We can characterize him as a jack-of-all-trades who has completed numerous projects in the field of single-family architecture, public, private and industrial construction. But designing furniture for a variety of labels is also part of his impressive arsenal.DesignThis special and very groovy design was manufactured at the time by the Italian high-end furniture manufacturer Sormani, who did not shy away from very distinctive designs. This “Sess” is somewhere between a lounge chair and a chaise longue and it is possible to seat it in different ways. That is what the form also communicates. An ambiguity that is strongly present in both form and function.The sloping and challenging lines ultimately form the mysterious and initially indefinable character of this chair. A sculpture? Of course. But with its curved shapes and long curved lines, it also absolutely belongs in the space age style. The contours are reminiscent of an extraterrestrial landscape and at the same time we strongly perceive the notion of abstracted human forms that are intertwined with each other.  This “Sess” chair has been reupholstered with a luxurious deep blue fabric consisting of a combination of wool and tencel. Tencel is a sustainable fiber that is naturally biodegradable. At the back, and this is barely visible, there is a zipper on the seam with which the so-called cover can be replaced. The original gray upholstery with black lines as a motif is still in our possession and will be supplied with the chair if desired.ConditionThe condition of this item is excellent. This is the result after reupholstery, which means that no defects or imperfections are visible anymore.LiteratureGiuliana Gramigna en Paola Biondi. “Il Design In Italia, Dell’Arredamento Domestico”. Umberto Allemandi & C. 1999, Torino - London.