Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs in Coral Red Velvet and Beech, Asko, Finland, 1957

This rare armchair was designed by Gio Ponti in 1954. The particular model, numbered '1410,' was produced by the well-known Finnish manufacturer Asko in the late 1950s. Asko held the license from Cassina in Italy (which produced the same design as model 803) to create this armchair and its matching sofa exclusively for the Scandinavian market. Original drawings and detailed information are preserved at the Lahden Museo (Lahti City Museum), which maintains the Asko factory archive.

The design features a slightly curved back and elegant, continuous armrests that extend from the back to the front legs, creating a geometric silhouette. The refined, tapered legs are made of lacquered solid beech wood. The chair is upholstered in light coral red velvet fabric.

The pair is in overall very good vintage condition. The velvet fabric has been well-preserved, showing only minor signs of wear consistent with age and use. The legs with minor, non-distracting marks.

Literature references: Lisa Licitra Ponti, Gio Ponti: The Complete Works 1923-1978, London, 1990, p. 166 Ugo La Pietra, ed., Gio Ponti: L’arte si innamora dell’industria, New York, 2009, pp. 232-33, 376 Laura Falconi, Gio Ponti: Interior, Objects, Drawings, 1920-1976, Milan, 2010, p. 162