Set of Four “Galaxy” Dining Room Chairs by Umberto Asnago, Italy 1980s

In our view, the Italian designer Umberto Asnago succeeded in the 1980s in illuminating or rather merging a number of movements and crafts through this design. The now i4Mariani director Asnago has designed for a long time for Arflex, Frigerio, and Porada, among others, but started his career at the design manufacturer Giorgetti. There he designed his "Galaxy" series which these dining room chairs are part of. At first glance, the eighties feeling immediately arises, but when you look just a little longer, it is actually peculiar because so many style elements have been incorporated. The completely black-painted wooden frame has been created in a refined way and shows all kinds of details. For example, the armrest has a small increase of a few millimeters, and all kinds of rectangular 'windows' have been incorporated on the side and the back. Almost Amsterdam School-like. The position of the frame and the proportions then seem to be moving in a more rationalistic direction, but due to the upholstery and a surplus of details, it is turning in an art deco direction. You might say an ambivalent design, but Asnago has succeeded in making it more of a homage to the different design periods, with the eighties as a clear starting point. After all, it was the period in Italy when the so-called standards were shaken up from which the design furniture industry derived its name and honor. The condition of the chairs is good with of course the usual scratches and discolorations that have arisen over the years and use. The suede upholstery also has some discoloration, but this gives the set an authentic and pleasant look.